SCHUMER APPLAUDS JETBLUE FOR RESUMING NEW FLORIDA ROUTES TO SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; WITH HIGH DEMAND FOR FLORDIA FLIGHTS, SCHUMER PREVIOUSLY URGED JETBLUE TO FILL THAT VOID AND BRING MORE AFFORDABLE AIR SERVICE OPTIONS TO SYRACUSE RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES

Schumer Called On JetBlue to Expand Its Presence at Syracuse Hancock International Airport; Bringing More Affordable Air Service To Upstate NY Has Been One Of Senator’s Major Priorities  

Schumer Said There Was A Clear Need in Central NY For Flights To Popular Destinations Like Florida – Now, New Low-Cost Flights to FL Will Now Be A Major Win for Syracuse & CNY Residents & Businesses 

Schumer: New Syracuse-to-Florida Flights Are Cleared For Take-off

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today applauded the JetBlue Airlines decision to expand its presence in the Syracuse region by resuming its non-stop service to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Schumer said this will boost competition and availability of low-cost flights from Syracuse to this popular destination, particularly in the winter months when demand is at its highest. Starting January 13, 2016, flights from Syracuse Hancock International Airport to Fort Lauderdale will resume daily, and continue through Sunday, May 1, 2016, following their initial launch. Schumer has long been an advocate for establishing and expanding low-cost carriers, like JetBlue, in Upstate New York. Previously, Schumer fought to bring new airlines and routes to Upstate New York cities, including JetBlue in Syracuse, Buffalo and Albany as well as Southwest to Albany.

“Expanding JetBlue service at Syracuse Hancock Airport is good news for both residents and the regional economy. There is a clear need for more flights from Syracuse to Florida and I am pleased JetBlue examined this option and will once again offer this route for the residents and business travelers of the Central NY Region,” said Senator Schumer. “JetBlue flights from Syracuse will now make traveling to new destinations more expedient and affordable, and add to the region's ability to attract new businesses and vacationers.”

“The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a first-class facility and I am pleased to see it continue to grow,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “I thank Senator Schumer for his continued advocacy for the airport and its needs. Our community is committed to working together to see that the airport is a success.”

“We would like to thank Senator Schumer and JetBlue for their continued investment in our airport and community,” said Christina R. Callahan, C.M., Executive Director.  “As one of our top leisure destinations, our customers will now have even more options to Florida, and with the number of connections out of Ft. Lauderdale and its port, the JetBlue network provides easy access to the Caribbean and South America.”

Schumer said these additional flights between Syracuse and Florida, especially during the months when people are traveling south the most, will not only provide residents with more options but will also help increase competition and lower prices for consumers. Specifically, JetBlue will operate once daily round trip service between Syracuse and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, seasonally, from January through May, starting in 2016. Seats are on sale beginning 9/9. Schumer said that this additional Ft. Lauderdale service will now be especially important in Syracuse, considering the service previously existed and was suspended in 2009.

Syracuse International Airport is serviced primarily by Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada, Allegiant and Jet Blue. The airport had nearly 80,000 monthly departures from November through April of this year, with prices and demand increasing during those periods. Currently at Syracuse International, only Allegiant offers non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale. Schumer said that re-starting a new service and adding even more flights at Syracuse will now increase competitiveness and help drive down prices for all customers.

A copy of Schumer’s initial letter to Robin Hayes, President and CEO of JetBlue, appears below:

Dear Mr. Hayes:

I write to urge JetBlue to expand its presence at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, and specifically to add additional flights from Syracuse to additional locations in Florida. JetBlue already flies routes between Syracuse and Orlando, and I believe that additional destinations, like Fort Lauderdale, would benefit both JetBlue and the community.

Additional flights between Syracuse and Florida, especially between November and April when people are traveling south the most, will not only provide residents with more options, but will also help increase competition and lower prices for consumers. I urge JetBlue to examine this opportunity, and to consider adding additional flights to popular destinations in Florida, like Fort Lauderdale. JetBlue previously flew routes between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale, but ended that service in 2009. With demand for flights to Florida up at Syracuse International, and new energy in the economy, I believe now is the time for airlines like JetBlue to take advantage of that need for increased service.

There is a clear need for more flights from Syracuse to Florida, and I urge JetBlue to examine this option and once again offer this route for area residents. I believe flights between Syracuse and Fort Lauderdale or other similar locations would benefit both JetBlue and the residents and businesses of the Central New York region.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. I look forward to continuing to work with you to expand low-cost air service in Upstate New York.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

 

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