Category: News

Blountville, TN – Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) is applying for a U.S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant. If awarded, the grant will provide vital financial support for air service incentives from the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The grant would allow the Tri-Cities Airport to provide a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG), start-up costs, and marketing support to an airline partner in order to facilitate new air service to this important hub.

“Service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport has been a top request by businesses in the region,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director of Tri-Cities Airport. “The grant will help us recruit an airline to provide this important connection for our community, and ultimately help stimulate additional economic growth for our region.” ORD is a top route requested by businesses in the region, and TRI currently loses approximately 70% of our ORD passengers to other airports. The initiation of service to ORD would serve TRI’s current business community, leisure travelers, and stimulate additional passengers for TRI. 

The grant application process is highly competitive, with no more than 40 communities selected to receive funding. To improve chances of a successful grant application, the authority has sought support through financial pledges of state and local governments and in-kind contributors. Communities that can demonstrate this type of support are typically viewed more favorably by grant reviewers. The Tri-Cities Airport Authority is grateful for the $300,000 in financial pledges received thus far, which include the following organizations:

TRI is committed to enhancing air service for our community and the SCASDP grant is a significant step toward achieving that goal. We are grateful for the support of our local partners in this endeavor.

According to Chris McCartt, City Manager of Kingsport, “It is vital to the long-term success of our citizens and businesses that we continually look for ways to improve our transportation needs. An essential component of that is our ability to diversify offerings through the Tri-Cities Airport. I’m excited about the opportunity we have before us and applaud the region for working together for the good of the whole.”

Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager of Bristol, TN, also voiced her support for the grant application: “Because of the power to connect with virtually any destination from the convenience of our hometown airport, our local industries have the capability to conduct business on a global scale, residents are able to travel anywhere they choose, and visitors from around the world can experience our region’s abundant cultural and recreational offerings. The potential addition of service to Chicago O’Hare only further strengthens TRI as a driver of economic momentum and a regional asset that cannot be overstated. We are pleased to support the Tri-Cities Airport Authority’s efforts to expand these opportunities for connection and to continuously deliver an exceptional passenger experience.”

“The City of Bristol, Virginia is very excited about the prospect of obtaining nonstop air service from TRI to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD),” said Randall Eads, Bristol, VA City Manager. “This service will benefit our city by enabling business and leisure travelers’ easier access to our area. It will also allow for new connection options allowing for convenient business travel to other markets. The success of TRI is vital to our region and the success of our community.”

Cathy Ball, City Manager of Johnson City, added: “The continued development of air service out of TRI benefits our community from both an economic development standpoint and by enhancing quality of life for our residents. Being able to fly directly to and from Chicago opens up tremendous possibilities for tourists and business travelers alike. The Tri-Cities region is centrally located and within a day’s drive of the eastern half of the United States – we should strive to make it just as accessible via air travel.”

Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable also commented on the importance of Tri-Cities Airport, saying, “Tri-Cities Airport is a vital part of Sullivan County and the Region. Not only does it connect us to the world, but it is also an integral part of the economic engine that drives our economy, which provides the highest quality of life in our state. We are happy to join our partners in expanding our opportunities to provide the best possible services to our citizens and business.”

Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy emphasized the direct benefits of the new Chicago service for local businesses, citing the easy access it provides for future customers and the new connecting options it opens up for conducting business in other markets. As he stated, “It is vital to our area’s success, and others in our region, that TRI has air service offerings that the business community needs.”

These supportive statements highlight the regional significance of the airport and the impact that expanded air service could have on economic growth and quality of life in the Tri-Cities area. Tri-Cities Airport Authority is grateful for the financial support received from its local partners and will continue to work diligently to secure the SCASDP grant and enhance air service offerings for the community.

“We are proud to be a part of this community and are grateful for the ongoing support we receive from our local partners,” said Bill Sorah, TCAA Chairman. “Without their support, we would not be able to pursue important initiatives like this grant application for new air service. We are committed to providing the highest level of service to our passengers, and we ask that the community continues to support us in our efforts to grow and enhance air service for the region.”

Pledged Financial Support

Provided Letter of Support

If additional businesses or organizations would like to offer a letter of support, please contact Kristi Haulsee, director of marketing and air service development, by Tuesday, May 2 at 423-325-6032 or via email at khaulsee@triflight.com.

Blountville, Tenn – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding its use of state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanners at security checkpoints nationwide, and brand new units are heading to Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) in the coming weeks.

The installation of the new CT scanners is scheduled to begin on April 24th and last until May 5th, with one lane closed each week. During this time, throughput rates at the TSA checkpoint will be decreased due to the TSA officer/passenger learning curve associated with the install, as well as any construction work.

The new CT scanners generate a 3-D image of the contents of the carry-on bags using a sophisticated algorithm, which will offer improved detection capabilities and greater passenger convenience by allowing laptops, electronics such as cell phones and iPads, and 3-1-1 compliant LGAs to remain in carry-on bags. This new technology will also reduce the need for secondary bag checks and allows TSA officers to better view the contents of the bag. However, to comply with operating requirements of the CT scanner system, every carry-on item must be placed in a bin for screening, and items cannot be placed directly on the X-ray belt. Oversized bags can no longer be accommodated through the smaller opening to the X-ray tunnel on the CT unit. TSA officers will be available to assist passengers with these new procedures.

“We understand that the installation of the new CT scanners at our TSA checkpoint may cause some inconvenience for our passengers. However, we strongly urge everyone to plan ahead and arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before their scheduled departure time. If you do not show up early, it’s very possible you may miss your flight,” said Gene Cossey, Executive Director at Tri-Cities Airport.

In addition, we want to remind passengers that gate checking bags will no longer be allowed. If passengers are checking bags, they will need to do so at the airline counter, which closes 45 minutes before scheduled departure time. We encourage all passengers to plan ahead accordingly.

We will keep our passengers informed about the progress of the installation and any updates related to security checkpoint procedures.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this installation period, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our security measures for all passengers. We look forward to continuing to provide a safe and efficient travel experience for all our passengers. Thank you for choosing Tri-Cities Airport as your preferred airport,” said Cossey.

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

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport is proud to announce the installation of an exciting new exhibit that allows visitors and passengers to explore the science of aviation. The exhibit, which focuses on the physics of lift, is a hands-on experience allowing users to test and understand how airplanes stay in the air.

The Take Flight exhibit was created in partnership with the HandsOn! Museum, a renowned educational organization recognized for creating engaging and educational experiences for visitors of all ages. The exhibit is a testament to the airport’s commitment to providing a positive experience for all passengers, while also educating guests on the fascinating world of aviation.

“The Tri-Cities Airport is excited to bring this interactive exhibit to our visitors and guests. This display demonstrates the science of flight in an approach that is educational, fun, and even magical,” said Gene Cossey, executive director of Tri-Cities Airport. “We could not be happier with the partnership between HandsOn! Museum and the Tri-Cities Airport as we continue to make the world of aviation accessible to everyone in our region.”

This exhibit, made possible by the Louis H. Gump family, allows passengers of all ages to engage with the hands-on, educational experience and explore the mechanics of flight while planes take off and land at the airport. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Tri-Cities Airport once again to showcase the new interactive Take Flight exhibit”, said Heather Watson, Interim President & CEO/VP of Education & Exhibits at HandsOn! Museum. “We have a long-standing partnership with the Tri-Cities Airport in bringing the science of aviation to life through educational experiences including an airport theme on the Draw Alive virtual environment located at the Discovery Center and through a dual field trip offering of both sites. Our hope is that the new Take Flight exhibit sparks curiosity and an interest in STEM concepts including the science of flight and aviation.” 

The exhibit is open to the public and is located in the terminal building near the airport service desk. The Tri-Cities Airport invites everyone to come and experience this exciting new addition. 

For more information on the exhibit, please contact Trevor Rice, marketing and air service development manager, at trice@triflight.com.

Blountville, Tenn – For the 23^rd consecutive year, the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award was received for TCAA’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. Achievement of this prestigious award represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

An award of Financial Reporting Achievement was also presented to Rene Weber, Tri-Cities Airport Authority’s director of finance, for his role in preparing the award-winning ACFR.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for our Annual Financial Report,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “I especially appreciate the effort and attention to detail that Rene Weber and the finance staff exhibit daily when managing the Airport’s finances.” The ACFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate TCAA’s financial story.

Blountville, TN – Delta Air Lines has upgraded its service at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) offering area travelers a larger aircraft with more first-class and preferred seating options. On Thursday morning, a Boeing 717 departed from TRI on its way to Atlanta, Georgia.

The Boeing 717 marks the return of mainline service to TRI, which has been paused since 2020. “We are excited about the return of mainline Delta service to TRI,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport executive director. “The larger aircraft allows for an upgraded passenger experience and provides more seats for the crowded morning outbound and evening in-bound flights.”

The B717 is on TRI’s schedule through January 1, 2023, but could be extended if demand remains high. “Delta could decide to continue it after that, or they could bring it back during peak travel times. Our hope is that the service will continue after January 1, but as of right now we know that it will be here each night and depart each morning until then,” Cossey said.

In addition to the Boeing 717, Delta currently serves TRI with 50 and 76-seat CRJs. The first flight of the day will be on a B717, which seats 110 people in three tiers and the remaining flights will be on CRJs. The B717 will fly out once a day and return back to TRI to stay for overnight.

For more information contact Trevor Rice, Development Manager of Marketing & Air Service at trice@triflight.com or 423-325-6030.

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 (TRI) is seeking input from local businesses regarding the demand for business travel in an effort to bring additional air service to the greater Tri-Cities region.

The 15-question survey includes the following topics: 2022 vs. 2019 business travel, 2023 business travel expectations, top 10 business destinations, and airport use. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes or less to complete.

Information gathered from the survey process will help TRI staff communicate with airlines where businesses travel most, future corporate travel expectations, and potential markets for additional routes for the airlines. The airport asks that responses be limited to the businesses travel coordinator or only one person, unless different divisions within the organization manage their own travel.

“Your feedback is vitally important as we work to garner additional air service for TRI’s communities,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) executive director. “The more businesses we have participate in the survey, even if they only travel once a year, the better our chances for recruitment of additional air service. The community’s engagement is critical to the success of your hometown airport.”

Businesses can complete the online survey by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TRI-Business-Survey. The survey will close Friday, November 11.

For more information about the survey or for questions regarding air service development, contact Kristi Haulsee, TCAA director of marketing and air service development at khaulsee@triflight.com or 423-325-6032.

Blountville, TN – The Tri-Cities Airport has re-opened the Long-Term Express parking lot in response to the continued increase in passenger traffic. The Long-Term Express lot is a credit card only parking lot that is conveniently located on the right, just past rental car parking with access to the covered walkway. The parking lot had been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer passengers.

From January through May 2022, total passenger volume at TRI was 141,023, a 51% increase from the 93,383 passengers who traveled through the airport last year. TRI passenger numbers are 85% of 2019 numbers for the same period.

In May 2022, 19,171 passengers boarded flights out of TRI, a 32% increase over the 14,411 enplanements during the same month last year. American Airlines accounted for nearly 51.10% of the overall total number of passengers traveling through the airport. Delta Air Lines was next with a 39.42% share, followed by Allegiant with 9.48%. Although Allegiant had the lowest market share, they finished the month of May with a 92.4% load factor, meaning 3,559 out of the 3,852 seats they offered were booked. American’s load factor was also high at 83.2% and Delta’s load factor was 85.7%

April’s passenger numbers included race fans who attended the NASCAR Cup Series Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, as American increased capacity around the race events. Allegiant has also extended their seasonal non-stop service to St. Pete/Clearwater (PIE) for November 2022 – February 2023.

“We work closely with our airline partners to encourage additional seats in our market around large events, such as the NASCAR races and other events and festivals, that bring in passenger traffic,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority executive director. “In this current environment, it speaks volumes about our market that TRI received additional capacity for the race.”

As summer travel continues, airport officials encourage passengers to look at TRI’s airfares before purchasing tickets at other airports. “This is region is currently

underserved with the number of seats verses the number of people wanting to travel,” said Cossey. “As the airlines continue the slow recovery from the pandemic, we do think we’ll see our capacity increase. It’s important in this current market environment to book early and if you find a price you like, book it.”

Long-Term Express Parking Rates:
$2.00 per hour; $9 daily maximum rate.
Rates repeat every 24 hours.
*15-minute grace period on the first hour only.

For additional information regarding parking, please visit the airport’s parking information here or visit www.triflight.com/passenger-guide/parking/.

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority will be hosting a job fair on Tuesday, June 28. To keep up with increasing travel demands, companies are looking to hire multiple candidates for a variety of available positions. The fair, which features some of the airport’s tenants and aviation partners, will take place between 12 – 4 p.m. at the airport, located on the mezzanine (upstairs, pre-security) in the main terminal.

Pre-registration is not required to attend the event and parking is free. Attendees are asked to park in the short-term parking lot upon arrival. Hiring managers recommend bringing multiple copies of your resume along with your ID. For additonal information regarding the event, please contact Trevor Rice, marketing and air service development manager at 423-325-6030.

WHAT: 2022 TRI Airport Job Fair

WHEN: Tuesday, June 28

12 – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Tri-Cities Airport – Mezzanine (upstairs, pre-security) in main terminal

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) approved a lease agreement with Final Forge at today’s board meeting, making the company the first to locate on Aerospace Park.

Final Forge will be constructing two new buildings at the airport with more than 50,000 square feet dedicated to its operations, which will move to Blountville later this year.

Final Forge develops and manufactures head-borne protective equipment for the military, law enforcement, first responders, and homeland security forces. David Rogers, company founder, and employees have spent decades working in this field and have created many highly-regarded protective products used throughout the world.

The company’s primary activities at Aerospace Park will be focused on research and development, manufacturing, and maintenance of protective helmets, eyewear, hearing, and respiratory devices used by fixed and rotarywing aircraft pilots and crew. Final Forge currently holds multiple contracts with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Blountville location will provide Final Forge with improved resources for customers at Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, Fort Rucker, MacDill AFB and Virginia Beach with their proximity to the Tri-Cities.

In addition to more than a dozen manufacturing jobs, Final Forge will be bringing a significant amount of laboratory and production machinery along with three aircraft to the new facilities.

“Being located at the airport will not only aid in the product flight testing, research and development activities, but will also provide aviation customers the ability to fly-in and have their equipment serviced on-site by the same technicians responsible for building it in the first place,” said David Rogers, Final Forge managing member. “This one-stop-shop approach will shorten lead-times and improve the customer experience in ways never before possible with aviation life-support equipment.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Final Forge to Aerospace Park and the Tri-Cities region,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport executive director. “We believe this is just the start of success for Aerospace Park, and like Final Forge, many more aerospace businesses will see the benefit of being located here in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.”

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority Public Safety Department will be hosting a regional Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Awareness and Mutual Aid Response class on Saturday, April 30th at 9 a.m. The class will consist of classroom training, tabletop scenarios, along with tactics and strategy training. ARFF courses are designed for those who provide fire service protection for airports.

The training will educate TRI’s mutual aid agencies about how the airport and fire department function, and the basic emergency procedures for common general aviation aircraft in our area. TCAA Public Safety will have their ARFF fire engines on display along with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters for walk arounds.

Local Mutual Aid Agencies Attending:

• Bristol TN Fire Department
• Elizabethton Fire Department
• Sullivan County Vol. Fire Department
• Warriors Path Vol. Fire Department
• Sulfur Springs Vol. Fire Department
• Piney Flats Vol. Fire Department
• Bristol TN E911
• Sullivan County Emergency Management/Rescue Division

“We are pleased to be able to offer this training to our neighboring departments,” said Cpt. Denton Hall. “We want to train with our mutual aid partners on a regular basis so that if we were to have an incident at the airport, we will all be on the same page and work seamlessly,” he continued. The unique needs of the global airport industry require emergency and disaster responders to have specialized training for effective response. TRI’s public safety officers undergo monthly training and annual certifications to ensure that the airport remains FAR Part 139 certified. This certification allows TRI to accept commercial air traffic.