Mesa begins Joplin service, announces flights to Dallas

Mesa began passenger flights between the Joplin Regional Airport and Kansas City International Airport Tuesday. The airline marked the occasion of its first local arrival by saying it will begin service between Joplin and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Oct. 5.

The carrier is now flying 19 nonstop roundtrips a week to Kansas City. In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation selected Mesa to provide essential air service to the airport for the next two years. The airline will get an annual subsidy of $849,757 for the Kansas City service.

The airport and airline hoped to include flights to Dallas in the deal, but the federal government did not approve. Steve Stockam, airport manager, said Tuesday that the city and the airline have negotiated an agreement to use a $500,000 Small Community Air Service grant to ensure that the carrier breaks even on the Dallas service.

The new agreement is for 11 weekly nonstop roundtrips from Joplin to Dallas, with two roundtrips Monday through Friday and one nonstop roundtrip on Sunday. The fares for Dallas will be $198 roundtrip. A $148 introductory fare will be offered.

Airline revenues are guaranteed for two years. The airline would be required to repay up to 40 percent of any money it receives if the service later turns profitable. The deal for Dallas service may be terminated if the city and airline agree, Stockam said.

But airline officials and community leaders say they hope the service is profitable without assistance.

“It is very exciting,” said Greg Stephens, airline president. “It is almost like coming home. We have a hub in Kansas City. We have a hub in Dallas. Joplin is a very important market to us.”

Stephens reported brisk ticket sales and said the airline may have to revise its expectations for the market.

“We are going to have to readjust our goals,” he said. “We are already ahead of the curve.”

Tickets to Kansas City are $49 one-way. The first few flights proved popular. The airline planned to allow reporters and local dignitaries on one of the first flights to and from Kansas City, but cancelled those plans after the flights sold out.

Airport officials are trying to sell the service to local business travelers; however, most of those traveling on Tuesday morning appeared to be traveling for recreation. Delegates from the business community greeting the plan Monday pledged to support Mesa.

“It is like the old saying. You got to use it or lose it, and we are going to use Mesa Airlines,” said Alden Buerge, chairman of the Joplin Airport Board and chairman and CEO of First State Bank of Joplin.[[In-content Ad]]