Passenger traffic climb in Arkansas | Transportation

SeaPort Airlines Thursday announced record passenger traffic during the month of August 2011 in each of the four Arkansas communities served.  Traffic in SeaPort’s Arkansas markets increased 94% total year-over-year, ranging from 48% at El Dorado to 200% at Jonesboro.

When SeaPort initiated service at Harrison, El Dorado, Hot Springs, and Jonesboro in October 2009, the communities had been without scheduled air service since 2007.  All four markets are served under the Essential Air Service program; however, continued growth has resulted in the addition of “speculative” flights above and beyond these EAS contracts in some of the Arkansas communities.

SeaPort recently launched new service from Dallas to Hot Springs, El Dorado, and Harrison. 

“The growth in these Arkansas communities is a testament to the success that EAS is capable of.  The right carrier, with a combination of community partnerships, schedule, frequency, and increased connection options to the national transportation network, can make this program thrive,” said Rob McKinney—President SeaPort Airlines.