SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: CAPE AIR TO CONTINUE FLIGHTS FROM OGDENSBURG TO ALBANY & BOSTON – FEDS WILL PROVIDE OVER $10 MILLION IN FUNDING TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR 4 MORE YEARS

These Connections Will Keep Open Air Travel Options for Passengers in The North Country & Capital Region – Contract With Cape Air to Continue Through 2019

Schumer: Continued Cape Air Service Is Great News for North Country Residents

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has re-selected Cape Air to provide essential air service (EAS) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) via Albany International Airport (ALB) from Ogdensburg, New York (OGS). Schumer explained that the EAS program provides funding to air carriers who serve small communities. The goal is to preserve access to the national air transportation system. As a result of this selection, Ogdensburg residents will have access to the cities of Albany and Boston and, therefore, many more locations and transit centers. Schumer said that the DOT will provide Cape Air with $10,275,677 in federal funds to maintain this service through 2019.

“With the continuation of Cape Air flights to Albany and Boston, the recently-approved extension of the airport runway and the upcoming Allegiant Air flight offering, Ogdensburg is turning into a mini-hub of air travel in the North Country,” said Schumer. “Residents in the North Country will now have access to more and more major cities and transit hubs throughout the state and country. Air travel is vital to growing the local economy and attracting visitors to the North Country, and I will continue to fight to ensure airports that serve small communities throughout Upstate New York have the resources they need to succeed.”

"Senator Schumer worked hand-in-glove with us on delivering this continued service and that advocacy helped speed up the review, and likely, the approval. Odgensburg will continue with Cape Air and our airport will continue to thrive," said Wade Davis, OBPA Executive Director

Cape Air will continue using 9-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft for the four-year term from April 1, 2015, through March 30, 2019.  The annual subsidy rates are $2,419,820 for the first year, $2,516,612 for the second year, $2,617,277 for the third year, and $2,721,968 for the fourth year. Schumer has long been a supporter of providing funding to the Ogdensburg Airport and airports in small communities throughout New York State.

In July 2014, Schumer visited the Ogdensburg Airport to urge the FAA to approve Ogdensburg’s request to extend the Ogdensburg Airport’s runway by 1,200 feet in order to accommodate Allegiant Air, which recently decided to offer flights from Ogdensburg. Allegiant needs a longer runway to land its larger planes. In November 2014, following Schumer’s efforts, the FAA approved the request.

This week Schumer also announced that Cape Air will provide EAS to Massena Airport, with service to Boston Logan International Airport via Albany International Airport. In Massena, Cape Air will continue using 9-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft for the two-year term from April 1, 2015, through March 30, 2017. Schumer said that the DOT will provide $4,781,897 in federal funds to make this service a reality through 2017.

The EAS program was established as a safety net for the smaller and more isolated communities across the country that had scheduled air service at the time the ADA was passed in 1978. When negotiating subsidy rates with carriers to provide EAS, the Department generally establishes two-year contracts.  This allows for the competitive bidding process to keep subsidy costs in check and to give communities and the Department opportunities to switch carriers if appropriate.

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