KINGSPORT, TN, February 6 - A deal to bring new air service to Tri-Cities Airport appears to be off the table, at least for now, following an in-person meeting between the prospective airline and BRIDGE, the organization raising funds to attract new service.

 

“We met with a representative of the airline Wednesday (February 5) at the airport,” said John Rose, executive director of BRIDGE. “We let them know that because several of our public sector funding partners were still in the process of holding public meetings to approve the commitment of funds, we would need at least until early March before we could say for certain we would be able to meet their requirements. Within a few hours, we received a call from our air service consultant saying the airline had given us until close of business Friday (February 7) to take the deal. Obviously, with the airport having six owners that each need to approve the commitment of those funds in their own public meetings, there was no way we could meet that timeline.”

 

“That is in no way a criticism of the local governments in the region,” Rose added. “They gave us the opportunity to present this deal, and they were working as quickly as they could. They have a responsibility to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, and we certainly respect that.”

 

The BRIDGE team had spent the previous week meeting with the Bristol, Tennessee City Council and the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Rose presented the deal to the Johnson City Commission Thursday afternoon, with an eye toward future opportunities.

 

“It’s disappointing, but we understand the airlines move at their own speed,” Rose said. “We know now that we need to have funds set aside and ready to go next time an offer like this comes along. The airlines won’t wait.”

 

“Tri-Cities Airport remains an economic driver for our region,” Rose said, “and we look forward to the next opportunity.”

 

About BRIDGE 

BRIDGE is a privately funded regional economic development organization committed to fostering economic growth and opportunity in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.