This week we finally announced the culmination of something we have been working to accomplish since 2021: the restoration of commercial air service to Natchez for the first time in over 30 years. This is exciting news! And with service beginning in July of 2026, the sky is the limit!
When we started this journey together four years ago, many doubted we would be successful. But the word quit has never been in my vocabulary. Working together, the City of Natchez, the Adams County Board of Supervisors, and the Natchez- Adams County Airport Commission, we have accomplished what many thought to be the impossible. For the first time in decades, our beautiful and historic city will be connected to the entire world by way of commercial air service – and not just any air service. Starting in July of 2026, a 50 seat jet operated by SkyWest/ United Airlines will be flying from Natchez to Houston/George Bush International Airport every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Air studies done by airline professionals project over 10,000 people will fly using this new service in the first year and a half, possibly more. They will be flying from Natchez to Houston in less than 45 minutes, and from Houston to any place in the world United Airlines flies. Best of all, flights from Natchez will be on United Airlines jets, “sterile to sterile”, meaning TSA clearance at the Natchez Airport without a need for additional security screens in Houston – BIG news for travelers from Southwest Mississippi and the Miss-Lou!
Words are inadequate to describe the many positive ways commercial air service will impact our region in the areas of tourism, economic development and our movie industry.
Tourism. In the very near future, Natchez’ number one industry will grow dramatically as we become more easily accessible to travelers from all over the world. Our vision to be home port to ships with American Cruise Lines will in time become a reality. Thousands of cruise passengers will fly in and out of our city, spending the night before boarding river cruises on the lower Mississippi starting as early as 2028. And conferences at our recently-renovated Natchez Convention Center are going to take off as conference goers find it easier to come to Natchez.
Economic Development. Multiple industries have considered Natchez over recent years but declined to locate here because of the challenge of getting here. This is about to change. And the ability for remote workers to choose Natchez for their home operations while still being connected to the world by air will be having a positive impact as well. We can also expect new homeowners and even part-time residents to make Natchez their city of choice, great news for our local real estate market.
The Movie Industry. Natchez has long been a hot spot for movies. Many blockbuster movies have been filmed here including just this year The Ritual starring Al Pacino. But in spite of our beautiful settings and Crooked Letter Studio, a new 100,000 square foot movie and sound stage facility, the largest in our region, difficulty of getting here from Los Angeles and other major cities has caused us to lose major projects, including recent TV series productions, to other locales. This is about to change. Reasonably-priced round-trip tickets to anywhere in the world will be putting Natchez solidly on the map of filmmakers nationwide.
Indeed now is a time for celebration. But we still have much work to do. Between now and next July, we will be doing all we can to help the airport prepare for company – because major company is coming. Let’s get ready to welcome thousands to Natchez in 2026 and beyond. Because Natchez Deserves More.
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