The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) is pleased to announce Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International has been forecast by Airports: USA® to be in the top 10 of U.S. airports in the percentage of projected passenger growth for 2021, coming in at number eight (8). Airports: USA® monitors 162 airports in enplanements and traffic trends, and JAN shines brightly on their radar.
Predictions are for a 20.3% growth level above the record 2019 passenger performance that JAN experienced, when over 1,051,000 travelers were served (enplaned and deplaned passengers). Currently, in April, JAN was between 70 and 76% of pre-pandemic flight frequency (depending on the day of the week). This summer, flights will be well above the 2019 record number of frequencies.
“This is a big win for the Jackson Metro Area and beyond,” said JMAA CEO Paul Brown. “I am proud of our team as they continue working to manage our facilities and passenger services successfully during these challenging times in the industry.”
This great news comes as the JMAA is preparing for the exciting updates and increases in air service:
American Airlines (AA)
– May 1, 2021 was the 40th anniversary of the AAdvantage Program, one of the world’s largest frequent traveler programs. Passengers on JAN Flight 4051 received an additional 400 AAdvantage miles in celebration.
– This spring, AA restarted the daily JAN flight to Washington National Airport (DCA). An early morning departure and evening return allow for a same-day trip for business travelers.
– New, seasonal nonstop service to Miami, FL (MIA) will begin Saturday, June 5, 2021, operating on Saturdays during the peak summer period to that key hub.
Delta Air Lines (DL)
– “The Big Jets Are Back” … this summer, Delta plans to operate mainline B717 aircraft to Atlanta, GA with 110 seats aboard, and has nearly returned to their pre-pandemic frequency of seven (7) daily flights connecting to five (5) continents via the world’s #1 hub.
– Seat capacity has been increased, allowing for more travel opportunities while adhering to the highest safety standards that Delta is known for.
Frontier Airlines (F9)
– Seasonal flights restart May 28th with nonstop flights to Orlando, FL (MCO) two (2) times a week on Airbus 320 aircraft. Frontier last served JAN in 2019.
Southwest Airlines (WN)
– Restarts JAN service on Sunday, June 6th, with seven (7) daily B737 flights during the week and six (6) flights a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
– New ticket counter check-in kiosks, along with gate and baggage claim areas are currently under construction.
– New weekend nonstop route to Orlando, FL (MCO) has been included, in addition to Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Houston (HOU), and Atlanta (ATL) flights, allowing connections to 100 Southwest destinations.
United Airlines (UA)
– This summer, UA will add a fourth (4th) nonstop to their major hub airport at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) which connects to four (4) continents around the world from that key global hub. As demand increases, they also hope to restart the very important route to Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) at some point in the near future.
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the JMAA has seen a steady increase in air travel at JAN. As at all airports around the U.S. and globally, the effects of COVID-19 significantly impacted demand and altered national and regional air service, including at Jackson’s largest airport (JAN).
At JAN, flight airline frequency had dipped to as low as 4-6 daily flights (during periods of the March, April, May 2020 timeframe). Pre-COVID-19, JAN had between 24-25 daily flights. This summer, JAN will host up to 30 daily flights, a phenomenal achievement coming out of the pandemic. JAN is ready to safely reconnect you to the world this summer.
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ABOUT JMAA
The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) operates two airports: Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) and Hawkins Field Airport (HKS). JAN is the busiest airport in Mississippi, situated in the Central part of the state and serving the Capital region of Jackson with over 3,000 acres of property. JAN has service to several of the world’s busiest global hubs and is home to the Mississippi Air National Guard 172nd Airlift Wing. HKS is a general aviation airport and is home to the Mississippi Army National Guard 185th Aviation Brigade. The Authority provides service to over 1 million passengers per year.