BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — New flights to new destinations could be coming to the Tri-Cities Airport after the Sullivan County Commission approved a funding agreement at its meeting on Thursday.
The commission approved a resolution to authorize Sullivan County to enter into an agreement with BRIDGE, a privately funded regional economic development organization, to incentivize new passenger air service at Tri-Cities Airport.
Commissioner Mark Ireson, the resolution’s sponsor, said there is a confidential agreement in place, so he is unable to provide many of the project’s details.
Currently, passengers in the region can fly via the Blountville airport to three Top 30 airport destinations in the United States, including international airports in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The agreement could ultimately allow passengers to fly to two additional major destinations, including one to the north of the Tri-Cities and one to the south, Ireson said.
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Ireson said he could not identify the airline or the destinations.
The resolution, which would also have to be approved by other local municipalities that share ownership of Tri-Cities Airport, provides guaranteed funding revenue to the company.
With the resolution’s approval, the county will designate up to $10,000 a month from the hotel and motel tax revenues over two years, a total of up to $240,000, to assist the airport in funding revenue guarantees for the unnamed airline.
The cities of Johnson City, Tennessee; Kingsport, Tennessee; Bristol, Tennessee; and Bristol, Virginia, as well Sullivan County and Washington County, Tennessee, own and manage the airport and each governing body is expected to vote on the plan.
Regional tourism is growing throughout the region, including Sullivan County, the resolution notes. Tourists spent more than $300 million in the county in 2023, representing a 3% increase over the previous year. Tourism also generates more than $600,000 in hotel and motel taxes in the county each year, the resolution states.
The airport and the region’s governing bodies have been working for years to add new airlines and destinations to the airport.
The latest development is being spearheaded by the airport and BRIDGE, the economic development organization, which has volunteered to serve as a fundraising partner for the airport’s air service expansion campaign.
Commissioner Zane Vanover applauded the regional airport, and said many area residents needing to travel now drive to other airports to fly. He said the project could also increase tourism in Sullivan County.
In addition to tourism, the new flights could also help local cancer patients, said Commissioner Jessica McMeans, who spoke about a family member who has to travel for medical reasons.
Commissioner Samuel Jones said he supports the project and hopes the flights are full in coming years.
The commission approved the resolution on waiver of rules, which means it does not require a second reading and vote.
Ireson said the goal is for the airline to begin flying out of the airport in May 2025 and the guaranteed payments would start in June 2025.