Athens airport gets commercial service

ATHENS - The Georgia Department of Transportation announces that daily commercial air service between Athens-Ben Epps Airport and Nashville, Tenn., will begin November 1.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently designated SeaPort Airlines to provide the flights under the FAA's Essential Air Service program. The new service will include two daily nonstop roundtrip flights between Athens and Nashville Monday through Friday, one nonstop roundtrip flight on Saturday, and one nonstop roundtrip flight on Sunday. The flight schedules are as follows:

ATHENS TO NASHVILLE;
Flight Leave Arrive Frequency
K5 2710 7 am 7:40 am Ex Sun.
K5 2712 3:45 pm 4:25 pm Ex Sat.

NASHVILLE TO ATHENS;
Flight Leave Arrive Frequency
K5 2711 9 am 11:35 am Ex Sun.
K5 2777 10:45 am 1:20 pm Sun. Only
K5 2714 5:30 pm 8:05 pm Ex Sat & Sun

Passengers will be able to purchase connecting flights on SeaPort Airlines via Nashville to Jackson and Memphis, Tenn. Six other airlines at Nashville offer connecting opportunities to destinations across the U.S. on an average of 179 daily departures. SeaPort passengers departing Nashville will check-in at the American Eagle ticket counter in the main terminal.

In August, a subcommittee of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport Authority threw its support behind SeaPort's plans. (See earlier story.)

"We are pleased that the FAA has chosen SeaPort Airlines to provide service to Athens," said Tim Beggerly, Athens Airport Manager. "Whether it's for a weekend in Music City or making a connecting flight, we invite everyone to give them a try on your next trip."

In addition to its Nashville service, the company will be offering a special promotional fare for University of Georgia football fans traveling to Auburn, Ala., for the Nov. 10 game against Auburn University. Details/reservations are available by calling SeaPort at 888-573-2767 or via www.SeaPortAirlines.com.

Athens-Ben Epps Airport is a Commercial Service Airport receiving state and federal funding under the FAA's State Block Grant Program, which is administered by Georgia DOT.