SCHUMER URGES JETBLUE TO ESTABLISH MORE ROUTES IN UPSTATE NEW YORK INCLUDING SYRACUSE TO BOSTON; WITH LIMITED OPTIONS FOR CNY TRAVELERS HEADING TO BOSTON, SCHUMER URGES JETBLUE TO BRING MORE AFFORDABLE AIR SERVICE OPTIONS TO SYRACUSE RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES
Schumer Calls On Jetblue To Enhance Its Presence At Syracuse Hancock Intl Airport; Bringing More Affordable Air Service To Upstate NY Has Been One Of Senator’s Major Priorities – Schumer Says There Is A Need In Central NY For More Flights To Popular Destinations Like Boston
Schumer Says New Jetblue Flight Would Benefit Company And Central New York Community
Schumer To Jetblue: New Upstate Flights, Including Syracuse-To-Boston Flights Should Be Cleared For Take-Off
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today urged JetBlue Airlines to enhance and expand its presence in Upstate New York including considering establishing new flights from Syracuse to destinations with a number of connection options like Boston, MA. Schumer highlighted his long history of working with airlines to bring service to upstate and the success of those routes as proof that a new Syracuse to Boston flight could be a win-win. Schumer said this additional option would boost competition, availability of low-cost flights and connectivity to the south and west for travelers and businesses in Central New York.
“JetBlue is New York's hometown airline and it’s only fitting that they'd continue to build on their strong presence in Upstate New York. A new JetBlue flight from Syracuse to Boston is a win-win: for JetBlue, who can expand their strong brand in Upstate New York, and for Central New York families and businesses who would greatly benefit from having more flight options,” said Senator Schumer. “Hancock Airport is undergoing a rapid transformation, so now is the time for Jet Blue and other airlines to jump in and take advantage of that need for service. Particularly to popular destinations like Boston that is a global hub, where sometimes it’s more convenient to drive from Central New York than to fly.”
Data from airport officials show that many travelers will drive between the Syracuse and Boston rather than utilize air service, but a new, reliable, and affordable option like JetBlue could help change that. Schumer added that the Syracuse market already demonstrates high load factors and strong connecting traffic on JetBlue services, so establishing a flight to Boston, which has tremendous connectivity to the south and west, will benefit both the company and travelers in Central New York. In addition, Schumer highlighted the success of other recently established JetBlue routes like Buffalo to LA as proof that there is strong demand in Upstate New York for JetBlue flights.
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 to Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Albany. In 2015, Schumer helped convince JetBlue expand its service from Syracuse to Florida, adding daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale. JetBlue had stopped its daily direct flights from Syracuse to Fort Lauderdale in 2009 before restarting it on a seasonal basis in 2015.
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