Ten Small Southern Markets that Still have Airline Service

By Lee Burlett

Over 100 small markets in 25 different U.S. states have lost all commercial air service in the last two years. The airlines have cited high fuel costs, less aid from local and state governments and consolidation from mergers as the reasons more smaller markets are losing air service. Air service is a cornerstone to economic development and we have found 14 small Southern cities that still have air carriers. Here is a breakdown of what they have to offer. 

Lynchburg, Va. (approximate metro population: 240,000)

Lynchburg, located in the central part of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has some of the best small market air service in the South. Delta Connection/Atlanta Southeast Airlines and U.S. Airways Express serve Lynchburg with 12 daily arrivals and departures to Atlanta and Charlotte.

Alexandria, La. (pop. 150,000)

The brand new Alexandria International Airport, located in the heart of Louisiana, offers outstanding air service for a small market. Continental, Delta, Northwest and American Airlines offer service out of Alexandria. Markets served by Alexandria International include Houston, Atlanta, Memphis and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Florence, S.C. (pop. 200,000)

The Florence Regional Airport sure has a snazzy Web site (www.florencescairport.com). For a small Southern market, the commercial air service is pretty snazzy, too. U.S. Air and Delta/ASA serve Florence with an average of 16 flights a day to Atlanta and Charlotte.

Monroe, La. (pop. 175,000)

The Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) also has outstanding air service for a small city. Delta/ASA (since 1929), Continental Express, American Airlines and Northwest (Mesaba) all fly into Monroe. About a dozen flights daily take passengers to Atlanta, Memphis, Houston and Dallas from the Monroe Regional Airport.

Fort Smith, Ark. (pop. 290,000)

Fort Smith is located in northwest Arkansas on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border. The Fort Smith Regional Airport has about 20 daily flights, 12 of which are flown by American Airlines. Delta and Northwest serve Fort Smith as well. Service is to and from Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta.

New Bern, N.C. (pop. 120,000)

The Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (great name) serves the people and industry of New Bern, N.C. and surrounding areas like Jacksonville, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Kinston and Emerald Isle. U.S. Air and Delta offer six daily flights and four other less frequent weekly flights to Atlanta and Charlotte.

Valdosta, Ga. (pop. 130,000)

On average the Valdosta Regional Airport has three flights a day with service to Atlanta. Atlantic Southeast, a Delta Connection, serves the South Georgia community.

Brunswick, Ga. (pop. 100,000)

The Brunswick Golden Isles Airport has several Delta Connection (ASA) flights a day that connect the Brunswick metro area with Atlanta.

Albany, Ga. (pop. 165,000)

Albany features three departures and arrivals daily at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. All are to and from Atlanta and operated by The Delta Connection.

Lawton-Fort Sill, Okla. (pop. 115,000)

Lawton-Fort Sill, located in southwestern Oklahoma, has a couple of flights a day operated by Delta and American Airlines.

Lake Charles, La. (pop. 285,000)

While Lake Charles is a larger market than most of the others profiled in this Ten Top 10 category, we wanted to include it because the new Lake Charles Regional Airport terminal is about to open. Severely damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005, Lake Charles Regional is operating out of a temporary terminal until the new terminal opens soon. Lake Charles is served by Continental Airlines.

Tupelo, Miss. (pop. 130,000)

The Tupelo-Lemons Municipal Airport has three flights to and from Memphis daily. Air service in Tupelo and northeast Mississippi is provided by Northwest's Mesaba Airlines.

The Shoals Region, Ala. (pop. 145,000)

Like nearby Tupelo, the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport is served by Northwest's Mesaba Airlines. There are three flights daily to Memphis with two stopping in Tupelo.

Columbus, Miss. (pop. 130,000)

The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is meeting the needs of the large industrial boom in the area (over $3 billion in investments since 2003) with air service to the two major international hubs of Memphis and Atlanta. The more than 1000 new aerospace jobs from businesses at the airport have significant overseas roots from countries like Germany, France, Israel, and many other countries. Three of their top 10 destinations last year were in Germany. The airport is handling the growth with a major terminal expansion and over $20 million in capital improvements in the last 5 years.