MARION - Williamson County Airport Authority officials indicate they're through with the current company flying passengers to St. Louis.

The announcement came Friday after Regions Air, which operates American Connection flights from Marion to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, shut down operations late Thursday for the second time in a week.

The airport authority issued the following statement Friday afternoon:

"The Williamson County Airport Authority is as frustrated as everyone with the recent events that have led to Regions Air terminating their operations. We are confident that the Department of Transportation will work diligently with Great Lakes Airlines as the carrier that we have recommended to take over operations to St. Louis as quickly as possible.

Though we realize this interruption of service is an inconvenience to everyone, it is far better than trying to hold into place an airline that has continued to provide unreliable service to Southern Illinois."

The cease in operations canceled the four daily flights scheduled out of the Marion airport. Officials there did not know how many passengers were affected. The three flights scheduled for today also will not run. Commuter flight service to Chicago under Mesa Airlines is not affected.

Airport manager Doug Kimmel was unavailable for comment Friday.

Regions Air spokesman Nathan Vallier said all flights were canceled at 4:36 p.m. Thursday and will not be reinstated until the company satisfies requested modifications to the line check airman training and certification program made by the Federal Aviation Administration.

It was the same problem that cancelled flights to St. Louis last weekend.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who blasted Regions Air last weekend for canceling flights, Friday called for the company's prompt replacement.

"Today's shutdown, the second in a week, confirms my fears. Regions Air cannot provide even the most basic air service, let alone the reliable service our downstate communities deserve," Durbin said. "The U.S. Department of Transportation, working with the affected communities, has accelerated its efforts to find a reliable replacement carrier and will be announcing the decision shortly."

Regions Air is based in Smyrna, Tenn., and operates 16 aircrafts as American Connection and Continental Connection in 14 cities across seven states. The company employs 300 people.

Williamson County Regional Airport's contract with Regions Air expires in May, at which time the authority planned to switch to Wyoming-based company Great Lakes Airlines.

The authority is planning a news conference Monday to discuss the near future of commuter flights to St. Louis.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

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