Category: News

Blountville, Tenn – Beginning February 14, the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) will begin its roof rehabilitation and replacement project. The project will brighten the overall appearance of the Terminal and Concourse in addition to providing a new, weather-tight roof.

The project will involve demolition of the existing roofs and their replacement with a multi-layered roofing system that produces a new code-compliant, leak-free product. The construction will start with the terminal and then move on to the concourse once the terminal phase is complete. 

“The Tri-Cities Airport is always striving to be the best airport for our community,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority executive director. “Projects like the roof replacement can be messy and challenging, but once complete, this project will be just one more reason why we have the best airport in the southeast right here in the Tri-Cities. So, please ‘pardon our dust’ and thank you for your patience as we continue to make your airport excellent.”

The estimated completion date for the entire project is July 11, 2022 but is subject to change depending on crew size and weather. The estimated cost of the project is $1.5 million and will be paid for through the use of federal and state grant dollars. While the Airport does not expect passenger traffic to be affected, passengers may experience loud noises and dust. 

Construction updates will be provided through TRI’s social media accounts and website at triflight.com.

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) is alerting passengers that flight delays and cancellations are projected to begin this evening and impact travel through early next week.

Winter storm Izzy is impacting air travel throughout the aviation system causing delays and cancellations in a number of markets. The Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) website indicates American Airlines flight 5656 scheduled to arrive tonight at 9:29 PM has been cancelled. American flight 5657 scheduled for Saturday morning is also cancelled. 

“We would like to remind passengers to either check the daily flight schedule on triflight.com, or to check the status of their flight directly with the airline before traveling to the airport,” said Kristi Haulsee, TCAA director of marketing & air service development. “Even if there is not a significant weather event in our area, the winter storm is impacting the aviation system as a whole causing delays and cancellations.”

The best way for passengers to check directly with the airlines will be electronically as their customer service numbers will be extremely busy. 

Links to check a flight schedule with TRI airlines:

Allegiant – https://bit.ly/3Fo4FUh

American – https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule

Delta – https://www.delta.com/flight-status/search

Contact numbers for the airlines can be found here: https://triflight.com/flights-booking/#airlineinfo

Blountville, Tenn – The Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) released a corporate travel survey today, offering businesses in the greater Tri-Cities region the opportunity to help improve air service. 

The 16-question survey includes the following topics: information regarding 2019 corporate travel, future corporate travel expectations, airline use 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.

“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/TRICorpSurvey. The survey will close Friday, January 21.

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, Tenn – For the 22^nd 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 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2020.

In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. 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 CAFR.

“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 CAFR 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.

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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. (WCYB) — According to the Department of Justice, human trafficking is the second most profitable criminal activity in the United States.

On World Day Against Trafficking, travelers in and out of the Tri-Cities Airport on Friday couldn’t help but notice chalk art and red sand. The Sullivan County Health Department and Tri-Cities Airport teamed up in an effort to raise awareness.

“It represents those who fall through the cracks in our society,” says Rachel Dean from the Sullivan County Health Department.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, many traffickers operate independently and know their victims prior to abuse. They say 43% of trafficking victims have pre-existing relations with their trafficker prior to being exploited.

“We want people to look down, see that bright red sand, and wonder what it is for,” says Dean.

“We got information at different locations about the Red Sand Project, what it is, as well as human trafficking resources where people can learn more.”

Gene Cossey, the Executive Director at the Tri-Cities Airport, says this is an issue the transportation industry deals with around the world.

“We want to make sure that here at Tri-Cities, we’re doing everything we can to to keep those things getting through the greater system,” says Cossey.

Dean and Cossey both say if you see something suspicious, say something.

“Maybe there’s someone that looks like they don’t want to be traveling,” says Dean. “There with an individual who won’t let them speak for themselves. Have visible injuries.”

“If you know something, there’s hotlines to call,” says Cossey. “If you see something that’s awkward, it doesn’t even need to be something you see at the airport.”

If you do see suspicious activity, call (855) 558-6484.

*All content, including photos, are courtesy of WCYB. To view the full story, click here.

To learn more about the Red Sand Project, click here.

Blountville, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) had a $233 million economic impact on the region and brought in more than 80,000 visitors in 2019, according to a report from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

The report shows the airport’s positive contribution to the region’s economy supported $80,617,000 in payroll and more than $109 million in visitor spending.

“We are honored to serve Northeast Tennessee and to be a catalyst for the economy,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) executive director. “Our service territory also covers Southwest Virginia, and portions of western North Carlina and eastern Kentucky. We know our economic impact is greater than what is shown in this study as we serve a larger region.”

TRI is home to 28 companies that employ more than 400 individuals who live throughout the region. These companies include federal organizations, local businesses, airlines, rental car companies, food and retail services, and other aviation-related businesses.

TDOT recently completed a year-long Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, finding Tennessee’s public-use airports contribute $40 billion to the state’s economy and support 220,936 jobs in Tennessee.

“A safe, secure, efficient, and resilient aviation system is essential to our state’s physical, economic, and social health,” said Michelle Frazier, director of TDOT’s Aeronautics Division. “This report recognizes aviation as a driver of the economy, including economic recovery.”

TRI is in TDOT’s Region 1 in East Tennessee. The geographical area covers 24 counties and is home to 15 of the state’s 78 airports.

Airports in Region 1 have almost 300 employees and are home to 80 businesses, which range from air transportation and aviation manufacturing to rescue, fire, and law enforcement. The on-airport businesses employ more than 4,000 people.

“Tennessee’s 78 public-use airports are critical components of the state’s transportation network, linking and providing access to regional, national, and global transportation systems,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright.

TDOT said the study is a good representation of the annual economic impact of the aviation system during a non-pandemic period.

The study analyzed the economic impacts of on-airport activities, off-airport activities, multiplier impacts, and freight/cargo. Examples of on-airport activities include economic impacts from business tenants, airport construction spending, and airport employment. Off-airport impacts include visitor spending. Visitor spending generated 69,965 jobs and $9 billion in business revenue to the state in 2019. Analysis found that freight/cargo impacts generated 82,357 jobs and $19 billion in business revenue.

The Executive Summary may be found at www.tn.gov/tdot/aeronautics/tasp.html

Blountville, Tenn. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be hosting a “Pop-Up” PreCheck Enrollment event at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), December 7-11.

The temporary enrollment center will be open for interviews Monday through Friday from 8 AM-Noon and 1-5 PM. The enrollment center will be located just inside the main entrance of the terminal.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program that allows passengers to not remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. According to TSA, 100% of TSA PreCheck-approved passengers waited less than five minutes in October 2020.

Individuals interested in TSA PreCheck, should submit an application online and schedule an appointment through https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/precheck. To complete the application process, individuals will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status, such as a valid U.S. passport. The in-person appointment includes fingerprinting for a background check. The application fee for TSA PreCheck is $85 and can be paid by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years.

The “Pop-Up” enrollment center will only be available at the airport during the dates and times listed.

Blountville, Tenn. – Community leaders were on site today at Tri-Cities Airport to officially launch the Aerospace Park site as ready for future vertical development.

Site construction is substantially complete with only finishing grading, final topsoil and seeding along with site access roadway construction to be completed by summer 2021. The majority of the site is build-ready and open for business even as the final construction will be coming to a close.

Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) staff continue to heavily promote the availability of the site to target industries. The completion of each phase of Aerospace Park development has offered additional promotional benefits and recognition for the site.

“Aerospace Park would not be in this final stage of development if it were not for the support of our funding partners,” said TCAA Chairman Dr. Jon Smith. “It has been an honor to be a part of the cities and counties coming together on this significant, regional economic development project.”

TCAA Executive Director Gene Cossey added his appreciation to the Aerospace Park funding partners. “The support from our community, state and federal partners has been very important to us,” said Cossey. “That support has enabled us to complete the site and have a great product to market within the aerospace industry.”

Once the site access roads, finished grading work, topsoil and seeding is complete in summer 2021, TCAA will seek certification of the 160-acre site through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Select Tennessee Site program.

Site completion and certification will bolster Aerospace Park marketing efforts, according to Mark Canty, TCAA Director of Business Development. “Expanding the footprint of the current certified acreage of Aerospace Park will allow us to more effectively promote the site, compete for large projects, and increase our ability to bring quality jobs to Northeast Tennessee,” said Canty.

The TCAA’s target industries for Aerospace Park include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, completion and delivery centers, passenger to freighter conversion centers, and manufacturers.

According to Canty, aircraft manufacturing and MRO operations are projected to experience significant growth over the coming decade, and recent trends have seen a high percentage of domestic growth occurring in the southeastern United States.

Blountville, Tenn. – The certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2019 Fiscal Year Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This marks the 21^st consecutive year the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has achieved the award.

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 CAFR.

“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 CAFR 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, Tenn. – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has partnered with Hands On! Discovery Center to bring the exciting world of airports alive for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

A new interactive airport component, sponsored by the TCAA, has been added to the Draw Alive exhibit at Hands On! Discovery Center. Draw Alive is a dynamic and interactive exhibit that combines art with technology bringing two-dimensional drawings to life. The new personalized experience begins when a guest chooses a flight-themed template to design and colorize. Options include airplanes, helicopters, and a hot air balloon. The colored image is then scanned into a wall-sized environment. Guests watch as their unique creations take flight and move about the sky in the digital environment.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Tri-Cities Airport and bring this fantastic new experience to the discovery center,” said Andy Marquart, CEO of Hands On! Discovery Center. “Draw Alive has been one of our biggest hits since it was installed and now it will be even more exciting and interactive for visitors of all ages.”

“The airport is excited about this partnership and our sponsorship of the Draw Alive exhibit,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “Not only will children, teens and adults get to have fun watching their own plane take flight, but it may encourage a number of kids to become interested in a career in the aviation industry. We are also looking forward to exploring other ways we can partner with Hands On! to bring the science of the aviation industry to our community.”

The Draw Alive exhibit is located in the Scheu Family Exhibit Hall in the General Shale Brick Learning Center at Hands On! Discovery Center. Please visit visithandson.org for information regarding hours, special schedule, and health and safety precautions.

Link to video:  https://vimeo.com/454822250/98c6c6cea4

Link to photos: https://bit.ly/3buwexW