In approximately two months, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Homeland Security will set up shop in Jackson and passenger screening is expected to resume at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport.
The service returns to Jackson after a 13-year absence.
With the TSA, passengers flying Southern Airways Express LLC, which provides Essential Air Service (EAS) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, will be screened in Jackson.
With the screening in Jackson, it will allow them to disembark at Southern’s Atlanta Hartsfield gate.
“I am absolutely delighted to be in Jackson, and to be here for some great news for the community,” said U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), “One of the goals of the airport … is to have the TSA back – here at McKellar-Sipes and we have worked on this (and) worked with the airport, with the FAA, the TSA and we are so pleased that the TSA is going to be coming back here … wonderful for the citizens here in Madison County (and) in this region.”
Blackburn said passengers arriving at the Jackson airport will go through pre-TSA screening, pull into the main terminal at the airport that is the connector, go right into the terminal and not have to go through screening again.
“This is just a big win for the community and we are so pleased to have done our part,” Blackburn said, “We know it’s essential because of the growth coming to this region – Blue Oval City or the growth of existing industry – having the convenience of a full-service airport is something that is going to enhance the economic development as well as the convenience (and) opportunities for the citizens.”
Steve Smith, McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport executive director, said discussions he had with Blackburn and other Jackson officials did not center completely on the airport.
“We’ve been able to have some good discussions, not only about the airport but what’s going on all through the Jackson community,” Smith said, “We are excited about TSA … and we feel like in about 60 days we will have another announcement – as to when screening will begin.”
Southern Airways Express provides three daily departures to Atlanta from McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, with fares ranging from $69 to $99 each way, as well as offering weekend seasonal flights to Destin, Florida.
FOR MORE LOCAL BUSINESSÂ CLICK HERE
(PHOTO: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Steve Smith, McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport executive director)
I am absolutely delighted to be here in Jackson and to be here for some great news for the community
One of the goals of the airport … is to have TSA back, here at McKellar-Sipes and we have worked on this (and) worked with the airport, with the FAA, the TSA and we are so pleased that the TSA is going to be coming back here, and how wonderful for the citizens here in Madison County in this region
Come to the airport go through pre-TSA screening pull into the main terminal at the airport that is the connector, go right into the terminal and not have to go back through screening again.
This is just a big win for the community and we are so pleased to have done our part.
We know it’s essential because of the growth coming to this region – Blue Oval City or the growth of existing industry having the convenience of a full-service airport something that is going to enhance the economic development as well as the convenience, opportunities for the citizens.
Steve Smith
We’ve not only been able to have some good discussions, not only about the airport but what’s going on all through the Jackson community … we are excited about TSA … and we feel like in about 60 days we will have another announcement as to when screening will begin.
