Delta News TV, Greenville
Greenville Mid-Delta Airport sees growth as travelers fly local
By De'Nautis Liddell
GREENVILLE, Miss.—This month, Mississippi is recognizing Aviation Month and the role airports play in connecting communities.
From walking through the airport and checking in to going through TSA and boarding a plane, flying is a process many travelers find exciting.
“Throughout the experience, I enjoyed it,” said traveler Katral Jamerson.
And at regional airports like the Greenville Mid-Delta Airport, travelers say it’s more convenient than going to larger airports.
“It’s convenient because of the smaller crowds, but I also think it’s good for the small-town economy. So, it’s important to put money into a smaller community,” said traveler Nicole Halle.
According to federal and state transportation officials, Mississippi has 80 public-use airports.
The Greenville Mid-Delta Airport provides services to people across the Mississippi Delta, offering flights to Dallas and Atlanta through Denver Air Connection.
Director Lavell Hawkins says the airport has recently seen growth in enplanements, meaning more paying passengers are boarding flights. That increase has helped the airport receive more than $1.7 million to complete the final phase of Taxiway B rehabilitation. https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-announces-20m-airport-improvements-miss-airports
“Some of the money that’s coming to Greenville is going to help rehabilitate our taxiways, runways, and airfields, just to make sure that the traveling public has a safe travel experience that everyone expects,” said Hawkins, Greenville Mid-Delta Airport director.
He added that the improvements could encourage more people in the Delta to start flying locally, something many travelers—including Helena, Arkansas native Karen Gallareto—say the area needs.
“I don’t want to drive all the way. It’s about 2.5 hours to Little Rock, which is our other airport, and it’s only about one hour and 15 minutes to here,” Gallareto said. “This is the first time we’ve used the Greenville airport, but it was worth it.”
“If you are contemplating whether you should try flying out of the Delta airport, I would say go for it. You would truly appreciate the experience,” said Katral Jamerson.
From convenience to shorter travel times, many travelers say regional airports continue to provide benefits that keep them flying local.