RegionsAir shuts down flights

RegionsAir, Inc., the local carrier for Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, shut down all flights in and out of Cape Girardeau beginning Thursday evening and continuing indefinitely.

In a press release sent Thursday evening, the privately held company based in Smyrna, Tenn., announced that all aircraft and crew were requested to return to Smyrna to await further instruction.

The order also affects AmericanConnection flights out of St. Louis to nine cities and Continental Connection out of Cleveland to three West Virginia cities.

"We have been in discussions with the FAA today and will honor the requests outlined in the Consent Order with the intentions of satisfying any & all requested modifications to our Line Check Airman training & Certification program," Nathan Vallier, director of sales and marketing, said in the release. "Effective at 4:36 p.m., all flights were canceled for the remainder of today as part of the Order. We hope for a return to air service once these items have been satisfied and agreed upon by the FAA ."

Angela Ahrens, Cape Girardeau Regional Air Port's administrative coordinator, said she has little information at this time regarding the shut down. Phone calls to RegionsAir from local air port representatives were not being returned as of 11 a.m., said Ahrens.

"Right now, everything is at a halt," said Ahrens. "All we know is from the press release they sent last night. Right now, we're just trying to get more information."

According to the press release, the airline is working with a variety of other air carriers (where possible) and ground transportation companies to assist in completing our customers travel plans. Customers whose flights have canceled are being contacted by either American Airlines or Continental Airlines.

Check back at www.semissourian.com today or read Saturday's Southeast Missourian for more details.