28. Southern Airways Set to Begin Air Service From Oxford

Oxford residents were out in force on Wednesday to get a firsthand look at one of the aircraft that Southern Airways Express will be flying out of the University-Oxford Airport beginning June 20 / Photo by Rosemary Vassallo

After a 35-year hiatus, air passenger service is returning to Oxford, Southern Airways Express Chairman and CEO Stan Little announced at an airport press conference today.

Direct service from Oxford to Destin and Panama City Beach, Fla., will begin on June 20, Little said, with service to New Orleans set to begin on June 27. Direct flights to Jackson and Gulfport are scheduled to begin in the fall, he said.

Southern Airways Express also is looking to add flights to Atlanta and Nashville by late fall and will offer roundtrip flight packages to and from University-Oxford Airport for all seven Ole Miss home football games this fall.

Southern Airways CEO Stan Little, right, talks to one of the locals who attended the airline’s press event at University-Oxford Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Photo By Rosemary Vassallo

“Thirty-five years ago this year, Southern Airlines flew their last flight out of here, and 35 years later, Southern Airways Express is back to bring express air service to Oxford,” Little told a large crowd of Oxford residents and media representatives gathered inside the airport waiting room.

Unlike the bygone era when passengers flying out of Oxford were required to stop in other cities before reaching their destinations, Little said Southern Airways Express passengers will be able to fly the airline’s 9-seat, turboprop aircraft directly to and from Emerald Coast destinations as well as to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans. “You will not have to make the milk run out of Oxford.”

The CEO of the Memphis-based air carrier said Southern Airways Express wants to make vacation and business travel fun again. “You should look forward to your trip down,” he said.

In addition to the use of complimentary iPads and Bose headphones during flights, the carrier’s other perks include no baggage fees, no parking fees and no TSA security hassles. Passengers also will benefit from the convenience of arriving at the airport just 15 minutes prior to departure.

Fares on all flights will range from $129 to $249 each way.

SAE will offer special, limited-seating, Archie Manning and Chucky Mullins red-eye fares from Oxford to Destin, Fla., on Sunday nights at heavily discounted prices, Little said. “If you don’t get one of the Archie Manning red-eye fares (approximately $20), you can get a Chucky Mullins seat for $38 (one way).”

Oxford Alderman-elect Jay Hughes, who attended the SAE press event as both an elected official and a member of the Southern Airways Express board, said the new air service will make it easy and convenient for passengers to fly to Oxford, as well as facilitate business and leisure travel by Oxonians throughout the Southeast. “And everyone will fly first class.”

Following the press conference, the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place in front of one of the SAE aircraft the airline will be putting into service in Oxford.

Photo By Rosemary Vassallo

Before and after the ceremony, adults and children were afforded an opportunity to go on board the aircraft.

For more on Southern Airways Express, or to purchase tickets, log on to www.iflysouthern.com. –– Michael Harrelson, editor, HottyToddy.com

Email Michael Harrelson at michael.harrelson@hottytoddy.com

Southern Express CEO Stan Little, at center in black coat, cuts the ribbon marking the beginning of direct passenger air service by the Memphis-based carrier at University-Oxford Airport. Alderman-elect Jay Hughes is pictured in the front row at far left. / Photo By Rosemary Vassallo