Contact: Chris Gallegos, 202-224-5054

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation decision granting long-term authority to US Airways to provide direct flights between Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood on Tuesday informed Cochran of the decision that effectively continues direct air service between Jackson and Washington, D.C. 

“Direct flights between Jackson and the nation’s capital are beneficial, not just to the Jackson metropolitan area, but to our state as a whole.  Today’s decision is good for passengers and for Mississippi as an economic development asset,” Cochran said.

“These flights are the sole option for nonstop service directly to Washington, D.C., for our state.  As such, I very much appreciate Secretary Ray LaHood and the Transportation Department for providing this continued service to Mississippi,” he said.

US Airways was granted temporary authorization for these flights after Delta Air Lines announced its intention to cease direct flights between Jackson and Washington in March.

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