26-03-2025
Washington Co., Tenn. contributes to effort for new airline at Tri-Cities Airport
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Washington County, Tennessee, joined a growing list of groups around the region to commit financially to bringing another airline to Tri-Cities Airport (TRI).
Sullivan County committed $240,000 and Kingsport agreed to fund $250,000 to that effort. Now, Washington County said it will contribute $240,000 to the initiative, which Kingsport-based organization 'BRIDGE' is spearheading.
BRIDGE members say adding another airline would be an economic benefit for the region.
'Our airport has around between 250 and 270,000 people fly out of it every year,' said BRIDGE's Executive Director John Rose. 'But there's over 400,000 people fly out of competing airports. So we're losing 60% of the potential people that could fly out of this airport, go to competing airports. And it's because, they can oftentimes save money, on ticket price.'
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Rose told News Channel 11 on Tuesday that groups and localities working with BRIDGE must first raise $2 million, which will be funded over two years to support the new air service at TRI.
'The airport cannot raise nor incentivize money, nor incentivize funds for [an] individual airline,' Rose said. 'That's against FAA regulations. So they need a third-party group to do that for them. So, under our board's direction, we volunteer to help facilitate raising funds.'
Rose said that while he can't discuss possible destinations that the airline would offer, he said two 'major' cities would be included in added flights.
'The next step is to continue, you know, outreach and meeting with people and sharing the project and getting the funds raised. And then also, we're in the final steps of finalizing the contract with [the] proposed airline. And so that that is the next step, is raise the money, sign the agreement, and then an announcement of when our service would start at Tri-Cities.'
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