Panel backs Oregon airline for Athens service

ATHENS - Athens officials are backing an application from a Portland, Ore.-based airline hoping to provide service from Athens-Ben Epps Airport.

A subcommittee of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport Authority decided to support a proposal from SeaPort Airlines to provide federally subsidized service from the airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation makes the final decision on which airline to select.

SeaPort has said it would fly passengers in north Georgia to Charlotte, N.C. and Nashville, Tenn. Fares to Charlotte would range from $39 to $119, while tickets to Nashville would range from $59 to $149.

GeorgiaSkies, part of Pacific Wings, currently provides federally subsidized service to Atlanta. That airline has not applied to renew its contract, which expires Sept. 30.

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