Department of Transportation and Department of Essential Air Services alerted

Jackson, TENNESSEE – Steve Smith, Executive Director of the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority, says Boutique Air’s missteps over the Thanksgiving holidays left him no alternative but to request their withdrawal from the Jackson market.

Dozens of travelers were left stranded by delays and cancellations.

“It has become obvious that Boutique Air’s expansion from the West Coast into the Southeast during the pandemic, worker shortages, and air travel restrictions just hasn’t worked out.” Smith said, “It was the perfect storm.”

“We heard from our customers. We are as concerned as they are, and they can rest assured we are taking every step necessary to provide them with a reliable consumer air service in the very near future.

“We have contacted Boutique Air, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Essential Air Service. The process for accountability and/or replacement is underway.”

Boutique Air was one of five services bidding for the McKellar-Sipes Airport Air Carrier business. They were recommended by the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority committee, and the Department of Transportation selected Boutique Air for a two-year period from June 1, 2021, through May 31, 2023.

At the time of the March 18th order, the DOT noted that Boutique Air, Inc. is “fit, willing, and able to operate a commuter air carrier, and capable of providing reliable Essential Air Service at Jackson, Tennessee.”

One of the Essential Air Service requirements, however, is that the carrier provides “service reliability.”

Smith says their track record this year violates that requirement.

“There have been far too many instances of delays and cancellations,” said Smith.

After contacting Boutique Air, Inc. and the Department of Transportation, the following actions could occur; (a) the DOT may order Boutique Air to cease operations at McKellar-Sipes, (b) the DOT may force Boutique Air to continue operations until a new carrier is chosen, or (c) the DOT may require Boutique Air to fulfill their contractual obligations regardless of circumstances.

“Either way,” said Smith, “our focus is on providing air travelers with exceptional service at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport. Anything less is unacceptable, and we just won’t tolerate it.”