TANNER, FRIST, ALEXANDER: DOT WILL REINSTATE
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FOR JACKSON

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has halted the show-cause proceeding that tentatively terminated Jackson’s eligibility for Essential Air Service (EAS) program funding, which supports commercial passenger air service at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, Congressman John Tanner and Senators Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander announced today.

The Department of Transportation had tentatively terminated Jackson’s EAS eligibility, claiming the statutory federal per-passenger subsidy limit had been exceeded. Community leaders presented the Department with updated ridership analysis that shows the airport’s per-passenger subsidy is below the federal limit, and DOT today reversed its decision.

“By this order, the Department is terminating the show-cause proceeding that tentatively terminated the subsidy eligibility of Jackson, Tennessee, under the essential air service (EAS) program,” DOT wrote in its March 29 ruling.  “Based on passenger data for the six-month period ended December 31, 2005, Jackson’s subsidy per passenger is below the statutory ceiling of $200 per passenger.” The order is signed by Michael Reynolds, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.

“We are pleased that the Administration is giving the Madison County community an opportunity to continue improving its service to West Tennessee,” Congressman Tanner said today. “It is important to our area that Jackson maintain its strong presence on the federal aviation map.”

“EAS funding is important to ensuring the continued strength of commercial air service in the Jackson area, and West Tennessee benefits tremendously from Madison County’s leadership in this arena. I applaud the Administration’s decision and thank Congressman Tanner and Senator Alexander for their work on this issue,” Frist said.

“I want to commend the Jackson community for their work in proving their qualifications for EAS eligibility to the Department of Transportation,” Alexander said. “They did it the old-fashioned way - they worked together, marketed the airport, and generated the traffic to maintain this vital program. I’ll continue to work with Sen. Frist and Congressman Tanner to support those efforts.”

# # #

Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714