The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) has officially welcomed Skyport Aviation as the new fixed-base operator at Hawkins Field Airport (HKS), marking a significant milestone for general aviation in Jackson and central Mississippi. The announcement was celebrated with a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor John Horhn, JMAA leaders and Skyport Aviation executives.

JMAA CEO Rosa Beckett emphasized the partnership’s strategic importance, noting that Hawkins Field plays a vital role in the Authority’s system: “Having a strategic partner like Skyport allows us to deliver a higher quality of services while leveraging their expertise to enhance the customer experience.”

JMAA Board Chairman Warren Herring added that the move reflects ongoing improvements at both Hawkins and Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.

Skyport Aviation Vice President Andy Ochalek called the partnership “six years in the making,” describing Hawkins Field as “the gateway to Jackson and a fresh start in a new world of opportunities.”

Mayor Horhn reaffirmed the City of Jackson’s long-term commitment to owning and operating its airports.

Skyport has already begun facility upgrades at HKS, with more enhancements planned to provide a premier gateway for business and leisure aviation customers. These improvements will build on the airport’s strengths as a historic and strategic hub for the region.

Hawkins Field remains essential to Jackson and beyond: It was the city’s first airport and the site of Delta Air Lines’ inaugural commercial flight in 1929. Today, it supports critical medical transport, military operations and up to 21,000 annual flight operations – all while offering unmatched convenience just minutes from downtown Jackson.

The addition of Skyport Aviation underscores JMAA’s commitment to advancing general aviation while investing in the economic growth, emergency response capacity and business accessibility of central Mississippi.