The recently released Administration's FY2018 budget proposes eliminating the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program that provides support for small, rural airports across the country.
Senator Schumer highlighted that the EAS program is critical to supporting air service in a number of communities, including in Jefferson St. Lawrence and Lewis counties. He added that this cut is reckless, harmful to the economy, counter-productive and could deeply impact the ability of Watertown International Airport and many other North Country airports to remain operational for commercial flights, undermining the local economy and forcing resident to drive hours to the next closest airport.
“These proposed cuts are wrong-headed and reckless,” Senator Schumer said. “They would be devastating for the North Country’s airports. Communities across the region rely on this program and the service these airports provide.
"Residents deserve to enjoy convenient, reliable air service in their own communities. It creates jobs, energizes our economy, and improves quality of life. If the administration has its way, all of that would be wiped away with the stroke of a pen. I will fight tooth and nail to stop that from happening. Our job is to support families and grow communities. This unnecessary cut would do just the opposite,” he added.
Assemblywoman Jenne said Senator Schumer understands the importance of air service in rural communities.
"The senator has really captured all of these issues that show why this type of service is so essential. This aid is absolutely essential to the economies of the communities that host these airports," she said.
"We know first hand we are getting grants from the state level to support these efforts throughout the region. We're hopeful air traffic, air travel and air service maintenance will be a growing part of our economy here," she pointed out.
"It would set us back tremendously if this funding was removed," according to Assemblywoman Jenne. "I want to thank Senator Schumer for focusing on this issue as one of the major issues facing the North Country."
She had sent a letter to the region's federal representatives last month expressing her concern with the budget proposal unveiled by the federal administration calling for the elimination of subsidies that have been critical in bringing passenger air service to the region.
"I am concerned about the future of North Country airports, including the Watertown, Ogdensburg and Massena international airports, which are supported by the federal Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program," she wrote in that letter.
"The budget blueprint eliminates funding or the EAS program, which would likely result in a reduction or termination of air service to these rural communities and in largely unaffordable rates for the flights that remain. I urge you to oppose the inclusion of this cut in future budget negotiations in Washington. Our communities cannot afford to lose this critical service," Assemblywoman Jenne had added in her letter to the federal representatives.
Senator Schumer pointed to Watertown International Airport’s success utilizing the federal program. The EAS provides nearly $2 million dollars per year in critical support for twice-daily American Airlines flights from Watertown to Philadelphia, serving nearly 35,000 passengers each year. Although Watertown International and American have worked to decrease reliance on the EAS program over the years, officials say it is still necessary to maintain service. Eliminating the federal support in 2018 could wipe out the service completely, delivering a massive blow to the North Country’s economy, Schumer said.
The threat is not limited to Watertown, as EAS funding supports North Country Airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake/Lake Placid. Massena International Airport, which recently chose Boutique Air to provide service this year, served 10,554 passengers in 2016. Ogdensburg International Airport served about 8,233 passengers through its EAS contract with Cape Air last year. Plattsburgh served 13,432 passengers and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid served 9,547 passengers through their EAS contracts.
"I am concerned about the future of North Country airports, including the Watertown, Ogdensburg and Massena international airports, which are supported by the federal Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program," she wrote in that letter.
"The budget blueprint eliminates funding or the EAS program, which would likely result in a reduction or termination of air service to these rural communities and in largely unaffordable rates for the flights that remain. I urge you to oppose the inclusion of this cut in future budget negotiations in Washington. Our communities cannot afford to lose this critical service," Assemblywoman Jenne had added in her letter to the federal representatives.
Senator Schumer pointed to Watertown International Airport’s success utilizing the federal program. The EAS provides nearly $2 million dollars per year in critical support for twice-daily American Airlines flights from Watertown to Philadelphia, serving nearly 35,000 passengers each year. Although Watertown International and American have worked to decrease reliance on the EAS program over the years, officials say it is still necessary to maintain service. Eliminating the federal support in 2018 could wipe out the service completely, delivering a massive blow to the North Country’s economy, Schumer said.
The threat is not limited to Watertown, as EAS funding supports North Country Airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake/Lake Placid. Massena International Airport, which recently chose Boutique Air to provide service this year, served 10,554 passengers in 2016. Ogdensburg International Airport served about 8,233 passengers through its EAS contract with Cape Air last year. Plattsburgh served 13,432 passengers and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid served 9,547 passengers through their EAS contracts.
Without the options at these airports, North Country residents would be forced to drive hours to the next closest airport – sometimes up to a couple hundred miles away.
Senator Schumer has long advocated for Watertown and other airports who receive funding from EAS. In February, Schumer announced that Boutique Air would serve as the new essential air service provider in Massena.
The flights from Massena would go direct to Baltimore and Albany and allow for travelers in the North Country to connect to other major cities. Schumer spent years advocating for the continued service from Watertown to Philadelphia and helped deliver funding to expand the runway for larger American flights to takeoff. Finally in 2015 Senator Schemer announced that Cape Air would receive $10.2 million over four years for continued service from Ogdensburg International Airport.
Senator Schumer was joined at Watertown International Airport by Assemblywoman Jenne; airport managers from Watertown, Ogdensburg and Saranac Lake; and local officials.
The EAS program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were smaller and less dense.
The EAS program was put in to place to guarantee air service to these under served communities. EAS ensures commuter airlines across the country serve approximately 140 rural communities, including six communities in Upstate New York: Watertown, Jamestown, Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid.
Without EAS, there would likely be no scheduled air service to and from many of these airports, forcing residents to travel long distances to access air service and delivering a devastating blow to job creation efforts.
IN THE PHOTOS:
Senator Schumer has long advocated for Watertown and other airports who receive funding from EAS. In February, Schumer announced that Boutique Air would serve as the new essential air service provider in Massena.
The flights from Massena would go direct to Baltimore and Albany and allow for travelers in the North Country to connect to other major cities. Schumer spent years advocating for the continued service from Watertown to Philadelphia and helped deliver funding to expand the runway for larger American flights to takeoff. Finally in 2015 Senator Schemer announced that Cape Air would receive $10.2 million over four years for continued service from Ogdensburg International Airport.
Senator Schumer was joined at Watertown International Airport by Assemblywoman Jenne; airport managers from Watertown, Ogdensburg and Saranac Lake; and local officials.
The EAS program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were smaller and less dense.
The EAS program was put in to place to guarantee air service to these under served communities. EAS ensures commuter airlines across the country serve approximately 140 rural communities, including six communities in Upstate New York: Watertown, Jamestown, Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid.
Without EAS, there would likely be no scheduled air service to and from many of these airports, forcing residents to travel long distances to access air service and delivering a devastating blow to job creation efforts.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer vowed to fight against a proposal in the executive budget that call for cuts to the essential air subsidies that bring passenger air service to rural airports including Watertown, Ogdensburg, Massena and Saranac Lake. He was joined at the podium by Assemblywoman Jenne, Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Watertown International Manager Grant Sussey, Adirondack Regional Airport Manager Corey Hurwitch, Ogdensburg International Airport Manager Patrick Sharrow and Massena Town Councilman Albert Nicola.
BOTTOM PHOTO:
BOTTOM PHOTO:
Senator Charles E. Schumer discussed regional issues with local officials during a stop Friday afternoon in Watertown. Pictured are (clockwise) Senator Schumer, Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Samaritan Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Carman and FDRLO Executive Director Brian Ashley.
