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New York's Senator FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JetBlue's arrival fulfills Schumer pledge to bring
low-cost carrier to Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo by August 2001 At a news conference today following the inaugural flight, Schumer
said that Syracuse would soon see the same lower fares and improved
service that Buffalo and Rochester have enjoyed since JetBlue began
servicing those cities. Schumer made the following statement at
the event:
"After months of anticipation, the big day is finally here:
Jet Blue is going to start flying out of Syracuse. After years of
suffering with some of the highest airfares in the country, we can
now say conclusively that the era of sky high airfares in Syracuse
is over.
"And it's not just the end of high airfares. Today the best,
the newest, the most advanced, and the most affordable airline in
the nation is going to start servicing Central New York.
"Starting today, Syracuse joins Rochester and Buffalo in
boasting a top of the line air carrier befitting a city of its size
and importance.
"With today's inaugural flight, relief is in sight for consumers
who have been treated shabbily due to the monopolistic power of
existing airlines because good old-fashioned competition is going
to bring prices down. "And unlike other airlines which have
tried and failed to take on the big boys, JetBlue is succeeding
because it has the capital to compete. It's financed with $140 million
in capital from financial powers like Chase Manhattan and George
Soros.
"It has the financial power to keep going when the big boys
try to elbow her out by predatory pricing or other unfair techniques.
"But even more important than the benefits for consumers,
today's announcement is a turning point for Syracuse and Central
New York, because reasonable airfares will fill in a critical missing
piece of the economic puzzle.
"In today's fast-paced economy, a region cannot succeed unless
it is connected to the world. Our sky high airfares have made it
difficult for Syracuse to be connected to the business hubs of America
and the world.
"One of the first questions that new high tech companies
ask is how frequent and how reasonably priced is air travel in the
region. For the first time in a long time we will be able to say
that Syracuse is able to compete with other regions. For the first
time, businesses will not be saddled with thousands of dollars in
extra travel costs.
"The laws of economics prove that where there is a vacuum,
an entrepreneurial willing to take a risk will fill it.
"I have always said that I would support any airline which
would promise decent, affordable airfares to those who have suffered
through monopoly prices. JetBlue made that promise and is living
up to it.
"I want to salute David Neeleman for recognizing a great
business opportunity, for recognizing that Upstate has been poorly
served by the stodgy air carriers that have charged exorbitant fares,
and for filling the niche with a top quality service that will really
make a difference here.
"David has proven for the third time that he is a man of
his word by bringing JetBlue to Syracuse and has now fulfilled his
pledge to bring affordable air service to Buffalo, Rochester and
Syracuse within 18 months of JetBlue's launch. And he's done it
months ahead of schedule.
"I also want to thank all the other local officials who have
worked day and night to make this day possible.
"I love visiting Syracuse. Now I will love flying to Syracuse.
And I will be flying JetBlue to Central New York plenty of times
this year."
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