Category: Most Popular

The Tri-Cities Airport is embarking on an Airport Master Plan (AMP) process which will shape its future for the next two decades, and the local community is invited to participate in this transformative process.

About the Project

The Airport Master Plan project is a 24-month process that will be completed in the Spring of 2025. The Airport Master Plan project is funded through a grant partnership with the FAA and local funding sources. The Authority received an FAA grant for approximately 90 percent of project costs, with the Airport providing funding for the remaining 10 percent.

What is an Airport Master Plan?

An Airport Master Plan is a study to determine the long-term development plans for an airport including the extent, type, and schedule of development required to meet an airport’s forecasted needs. Airport master planning is a strategic process used to establish guidelines for the efficient development of airports that is consistent with local, state, and national goals.

The purpose of an Airport Master Plan is to study the airport and provide a 20-year development program that will create a safe, efficient, economical, and environmentally responsible airport facility. This study will ensure the airport can facilitate the demand for aviation services expected, meet the development goals of TRI, and create additional public value for residents in the Tri-Cities area and the aeronautical community at large. The final product will serve as a critical tool for TRI. It will depict the existing airport facilities and planned development initiatives. This document is vital for coordination between the TRI Authority, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure capital improvement needs are met.

Get Involved

TRI Authority is dedicated to a transparent, complete, and inclusive planning process. The Airport is excited to engage the community and stakeholders to gather feedback in developing the Airport Master Plan. The Tri-Cities Airport welcomes all interested individuals and stakeholders to join in this significant initiative. The community’s input and involvement are highly encouraged, as we collectively shape the future of our region’s vital transportation hub.

For more information about the Tri-Cities Airport Master Plan and the Public Involvement Program, please contact the AtkinsRéalis Planning Team at aviation.planning@atkinsrealis.com

Airport and Aviation Terminology

Frequently Asked Questions

Blountville, TN – Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) is one of 20 airports from across the United States to be awarded a Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The $900,000 grant will be used to incentivize an air carrier to provide nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

The SCASDP grant will allow the TCAA to provide a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG), start-up costs, and marketing support to an airline partner for new air service to the Chicago hub.

“We are excited to be awarded the SCASDP grant and the opportunity it provides for our region,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Tri-Cities Airport. “The grant can help us recruit an airline to provide this important connection for our community, and ultimately help stimulate additional economic growth for our region. It is important to note the grant is not a guarantee of service to Chicago. However, it is a new tool in our toolbox as we continue to persistently market the Chicago opportunity to carriers.”

The grant application process was highly competitive, with up to $15 million in funding available for no more than 40 communities. In determining grant recipients, the Department of Transportation was directed to give priority to communities with (1) airfares higher than the national average, (2) higher levels of cash contributions outside of airport sources, (3) establishment of a public-private partnership, (4) the assistance will be used to restore lost air service, (5) the assistance will provide material benefit to a broad segment of the traveling public, and (6) assistance will be used in a timely manner. TRI met all these requirements.

“I am thrilled to have played a role in supporting the possible establishment of a direct flight between the Tri-Cities Airport and Chicago through the Small Community Air Service Development Program grant,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Improving the lives of residents in East Tennessee remains my top priority as a legislator. A nonstop flight would enhance convenience for travelers, bolster tourism, and strengthen our business community.”

“The Airport Authority is committed to enhancing air service for our community and the SCASDP grant award is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” said Bill Sorah, TCAA Board Chair. “We are grateful for the tremendous support received from the region both in committing matching funds and providing letters of support for the grant application.” According to the order soliciting SCADP grant applications, “applications that provide multiple levels of contributions (State, local, cash, and in-kind contributions) will be viewed more favorably”. The region’s 48% in matching funds, in-kind support and airport funds along with the community letters of support were an important component in TCAA’s award of the SCASDP grant. The TCAA is grateful for the support of the following organizations:

About SCASDP
The SCASDP grant is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities to help them enhance their air service. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides this assistance in the form of grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. In past years, the Department’s individual grant sizes have ranged from $20,000 to nearly $1.6 million.

About TRI
Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) is a full-service commercial airport serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. TRI offers non-stop flights to five hubs (Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Orland Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater) on Allegiant, American, and Delta. For more information about Tri-Cities Airport, visit triflight.com.

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) is thrilled to announce its remarkable achievement of being awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the 24th consecutive year. This prestigious recognition underscores TCAA’s unwavering dedication to transparency and exceptional financial management.

The Certificate of Achievement is awarded to organizations that consistently present an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) that is easily comprehensible and well- structured. This award signifies the highest level of accomplishment in governmental accounting and financial reporting, exemplifying TCAA’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in this domain.
The award-winning ACFR covers the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022, providing a comprehensive overview of TCAA’s financial performance and stewardship of resources

Acknowledging excellence not only at the organizational level but also within its team, TCAA proudly congratulates Rene Weber, Director of Finance at Tri-Cities Airport Authority, for receiving the Financial Reporting Achievement award. “We are tremendously honored to receive the GFOA award for the 24th consecutive year,” stated Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Tri-Cities Airport Authority. “This recognition is a testament to the exceptional commitment and expertise demonstrated by our team as we strive for financial transparency and accountability.”

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report underwent rigorous evaluation by an impartial panel to ensure alignment with the program’s stringent criteria. The report effectively communicates TCAA’s financial narrative, further underscoring the organization’s dedication to clarity and openness.

For more information, contact Trevor Rice, Marketing and Air Service Development Manager, at trice@TRIflight.com.

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) is a full-service commercial airport serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. TRI offers non-stop flights to five hubs (Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Orland Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater) on Allegiant, American, and Delta. For more information about Tri-Cities Airport, visit triflight.com.