Federal officials have awarded a two-year subsidy to Oregon-based SeaPort Airlines to provide passenger flights from Athens to Nashville, Tenn.

U.S. Department of Transportation officials announced the decision to award the money from the Essential Air Service program, which is designed to help small communities provide air service.

Under the new arrangement, plans call for SeaPort to offer a dozen weekly round trips between Athens-Ben Epps Airport and Nashville International Airport.

Previous subsidies granted for Athens' airport provided service to Charlotte and Atlanta.

SeaPort began in 1982 as Wings of Alaska.

Tags: Georgia Skies Airline, U.S. Department of Transportation, essential air service, SeaPort Airlines, Athens-Ben Epps Airport