Mayor 

Percy Bland, III 

Office: (601) 485-1927 

Fax: (601) 485-1911 

City Council 

GEORGE M. THOMAS 

Ward l 

K Dustin Markham 

Ward2 

BARBARA HENSON 

Ward3 

Kim Houston 

Ward4 

Randy Hammon 

WardS 

COUNCIL CLERK 

Office: ( 60 I) 485-1959 

Fax: (601) 485-1913 

on 

City Departments 

Chief Administrative Officer 

Office: (601) 485-1929 

Fax: (601) 485-1911 

Community Development 

Office: (601) 485-1910 

Fax: (601) 484-6813 

Finance and Records 

Office: (601) 485-1946 

Fax: (601) 485-1979 

Fire 

Office: ( 60 I) 485-1822 

Fax: (601) 485-1878 

Homeland Securitv 

Office (60 I) 484-6890 

Fax: (601) 484-6895 

Parl<s and Recreation 

Office: (601) 485-1802 

Fax: (601)485-1851 

Police 

Office: ( 60 1) 485-1841 

Fax: (601) 484-6832 

Public Worlts 

Office: (601) 485-1920 

Fax: (601)485-1864 

601 23rd Avenue 

Post Office Box 1430 

Meridian. MS 39302-1430 

www.mcridianms.org 

Michael Martin 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

Of11.ce of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Deprutment of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Room W86-472 (West Building) 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Order 2014-4-24 

June 18, 2014 

.. , ...... ... ... !:::: .. :·· 

Dear Mr. Martin: '"'""····'"""• I •···:, ~,: 

" 

Thank you for forwarding to me the bid proposals solicited by the'·U.S. · 

Department of Transportation for air service to Meridian, Mississippi. My 

office has carefully studied the proposals submitted by Aerodynamics, Inc. 

and ExpressJet. We have concluded that the ExpressJet submission is 

unequivocally the superior proposal. While we appreciate the interest both 

airlines have shown in serving the Meridiru1 market, we strongly endorse 

the ExpressJet bid for the following reasons: 

• The Express.Tet proposal is a codeshare with American Airlines at 

DFW airport. American's DFW operation connects to hundreds of 

U.S. destinations and many international destinations. The 

Aerodynamics, Inc proposal is unbranded and currently has no 

codeshare or interline agreements in place. Clearly, the ExpressJet 

proposal gives our local and regional travelers much better options. 

"ExpressJet is approved by DoD to CaiTY the military. Much of 

Meridian's traffic is military. In addition, reinstating flights for 

military personnel will give our community added benefits should the 

military decide to initiate another round of base closures. NAS 

Meridian is an extremely significant contributor to our local 

economy. This approval will allow us to recover those military 

personnel who have not been able to use the Meridian airp01t due to 

Silver's lack of DoD approval. Aerodynamics, Inc advised us their 

DoD approval is dormant and would require re-inspection by DoD. 

"ExpressJet has DOT Economic authority for scheduled passenger 

service. Aerodynamics, Inc. is just applying for this authority and it 

is unclear how long approval could take. 
Since the two bids were made public, I have heard from a number of local residents, all of whom 

agree that ExpressJet is, by far, the better option. The City of Meridian strongly urges DOT to 

award the bid for passenger air service to ExpressJet. 

These views are representative of the community as a whole; no other entities representing the 

community will be submitting official comments. I ask that the DOT hold Silver Airways in the 

Meridian market until relieved by ExpressJet. 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter of vital interest to our community's continued 

growth and economic viability. 

~E~ Percy Bland, III ~/ Mayor