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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2004

SCHUMER DISCUSSES IMPACT OF INDEPENDENCE AIR ON HUDSON VALLEY JOBS & BUSINESSES WITH LOCAL LEADERS

Schumer encourages encourage close relationship between local business leaders, Stewart Airport officials with airline

Schumer details information about flights, schedules, routes

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today met with Hudson Valley business leaders and Stewart Airport officials to encourage close relationships between the airline and local business leaders to maximize the benefit of the new affordable air service to the Stewart/ Newburgh area economy.

"Companies often look at the number of flights before bringing business here, and up until a few years ago people were complaining there was no way to fly here at a reasonable rate,” Schumer said. "Low fare flights have a domino effect, causing other carriers to keep their ticket prices down. Independence Air is going to be a shot in the arm for this region– because where there is affordable airfare new visitors and new businesses will follow.”

In September, Independence Air will begin 6 daily round trip flights from Stewart/ Newburgh to Washington DC and 21 connecting cities for as low as $49 for a one-way ticket. All flights will be non-stop between Stewart/ Newburgh and Washington DC. Schumer detailed the following schedule of daily flights between Stewart/ Newburgh and Washington DC:

To view chart click here:

Schumer said that customers will be able to fly from Stewart/ Newburgh to the following cities: Atlanta, Buffalo, Charleston (SC), Charleston (WV), Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dayton, Detroit, Greensboro (NC), Greenville/Spartanburg (SC), Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Lansing, Louisville, Nashville, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham and Savannah.

In November, Schumer helped to pave the way for this new low-fare service to Upstate New York by getting the Justice Department to block a hostile takeover of Independence Airline by Mesa Airlines. Schumer, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the Justice Department Anti-trust Division to investigate Mesa's attempt to see if the company may be engaging in anti-competitive behavior. Mesa dropped plans for the takeover upon learning that the Justice Department was considering conducting an investigation citing regulatory issues.

"Cheap air service to Upstate New York is proving to be so popular that companies can’t help but add flights," Schumer said. "That's good news for passengers looking to fly in and out of the area and good for attracting businesses."

Schumer has led the charge to bring affordable air service to upstate New York. Since 2001, he has helped to bring JetBlue flights to Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester and Southwest flights to Albany. Schumer was joined today by Ron Hicks, Regional Director for Hudson Valley Empire State Corporation; Debbie Bogdanski, Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and other local business leaders.

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