SCHUMER URGES SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO ADD ALBANY-NYC FLIGHT AS THE COMPANY BUYS FIRST EVER SLOTS FOR TAKE OFF AND LANDING AT LA GUARDIA AIRPORT - WOULD BOOST ECONOMY, FILL DEMAND

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged Southwest Airlines to consider adding an Albany to New York City flight if plans to purchase landing slots at LaGuardia Airport are finalized. In a personal letter to Southwest Airlines CEO, Schumer said Albany's highquality infrastructure is ready to support an increase in capacity, as well as the region's high demand from business and leisure travelers for a lowcost flight to New York City.

 

"Now is the perfect time for Southwest Airlines to add a flight from Albany to New York City," Schumer said. "The Capital Region is filled with business and leisure travelers who could use a lowcost, easy flight to New York City. Adding this flight would not only mean more affordable fares for local passengers but could also mean economic growth and a huge boost for the region."  

 

Southwest Airlines Co. recently announced it would pay $7.5 million for fourteen landing slots at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The move will allow Southwest to operate seven takeoffs and seven landings per day at LaGuardia.

 

Southwest currently flies from Albany to BaltimoreWashington International Airport, Orlando, and Las Vegas but lacks a New York City flight. Capital Region residents, and travelers from Western Massachusetts, have long been anxious to secure more direct service to New York City. Currently, a walkup, roundtrip ticket on a major commercial airline costs about $338.

 

In an effort to bring the Capital Region residents a reliable, lowcost flight to New York City and connections to the rest of the Southwest Airlines network , Senator Schumer is urging  the low cost carrier  to consider adding service between Albany International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

 

Schumer outlined in his letter the benefits both Southwest Airlines and the Capital Region would reap if the company would add the flight. Schumer pointed to Albany International Airport's topnotch infrastructure as ready to support an increase in capacity, as well as a high demand in the region for the flight.

 

Albany International Airport has a history, Schumer noted, of increasing enplanements when low fares to new or existing destinations are introduced. The airport saw an increase of 4,000 passengers on Southwest flights to BaltimoreWashington International Airport (BWI) from the September 2006 - August 2007 to the September 2007 - August 2008 travel seasons.  Passengers to Newark International Airport (NWR) also increased by 5,000 over those same travel seasons.  

 

Schumer also pledged to continue to fight for federal funds for the airport. Recently there has been an infusion of federal and state support into the Capital Region's aviation infrastructure. This summer, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the airport with $1 million in federal funding to support new emergency response equipment at the airport.

 

Schumer wrote, "The Capital Region enjoys a widespread base of business and leisure travelers, more and more of whom are expressing the desire to expand their travel opportunities to New York City as well as use LGA to transfer to a myriad of additional destinations.  Meanwhile ALB's infrastructure is ready to support an increase in capacity.  For all of these reasons I know the addition of a Southwest Airlines flight between ALB and LGA would be a perfect fit for the region and Southwest Airlines."

 

See below for a fully copy of the letter:

 

Mr. Gary Kelly

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 1CR
Dallas, Texas 752351647

 

 

Dear Mr. Kelly:

 

I recently learned that Southwest Airlines will be purchasing fourteen slots for take off and landings at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and I am writing to request that you use this opportunity to add service between Albany International Airport (ALB) and LGA.  The Capital Region enjoys a widespread base of business and leisure travelers, more and more of whom are expressing the desire to expand their travel opportunities to New York City as well as use LGA to transfer to a myriad of additional destinations.  Meanwhile ALB's infrastructure is ready to support an increase in capacity.  For all of these reasons I know the addition of a Southwest Airlines flight between ALB and LGA would be a perfect fit for the region and Southwest Airlines.

 

As the seat of state government, and with its academic facilities, burgeoning high tech industry, and cultural opportunities, the Capital Region is a prime location to expand air service.  Southwest currently flies to from ALB to BaltimoreWashington International Airport (BWI), Orlando and Las Vegas.  Capital Region residents, as well as travelers from Western Massachusetts, are anxious to secure more direct service to New York City.  The Capital Region, however, lacks affordable service to LaGuardia and New York City. Today a walkup roundtrip ticket on a major commercial airline is $338, far in excess of what I believe to be reasonable for a short flight.  I feel confident that, as Southwest establishes its presence at LGA, service to ALB will be fit perfectly into future plans for growth.   

 

We know there is a strong need for additional air service in the region.  In a time when cities across the country are drastically losing the demand for flights, it's good to know that the Capital Region's demand for air service, and specifically Southwest air service, remains healthy.  ALB has a charted history of increasing enplanements when lowfares to new or existing destinations are introduced.  The airport saw an increase of 4,000 passengers on Southwest flights to BaltimoreWashington International Airport (BWI) from the September 2006 - August 2007 to the September 2007 - August 2008 travel seasons.  Passengers to Newark International Airport (NWR) also increased by 5,000 over those same travel seasons.  

 

Also encouraging is the recent infusion of federal and state support into the Capital Region's aviation infrastructure.  As Southwest already knows, ALB is a firstrate facility.  Just this past summer the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the airport with 1 million in federal funding to support new emergency response equipment at the airport.

 

These improvements speak volumes to the dedication and commitment the airport has shown to improving air service in the region.  I will continue to fight for federal funds to help the airport remain a thriving center of activity and hubs for economic growth in the region.  I urge you consider adding a flight between LGA and ALB. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.  Please contact Steve Mann at 5184314070 if you have any questions or need additional information.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator