Senator Schumer Secures Pledge From Continental Airlines

Airline Will Maintain Service Between Ithaca Tompkins And Newark; Service Provides Region With Critical Access To Domestic And International Flights

May 26, 2009 -- United States Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Continental Airlines has withdrawn their plan to end their daily round-trip flights between Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and their New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

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The service is operated by CommutAir as Continental Connection. The change comes after Schumer wrote and called Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner, urging him to reverse his decision, and after unprecedented lobbying on the part of community members and the Tompkins County business community.

Schumer emphasized the increasing number of passengers that are using the route, and noted that the new leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and emerging air traffic control technology should lead to decreased air congestion and more profitable flights. The decision to withdraw flights was initially based on the concern that congestion at Newark/NewYorkCity has made it difficult to operate efficiently.

“Today Continental made the right decision for themselves, Ithaca, and everyone who has come to rely on this service to reach Newark airport and the connecting flights it provides,” said Schumer. "Reliable air service is critical for the region’s travelers, and plays a vital part in drawing business and employers. The community here in Ithaca realized this, and we responded aggressively and effectively to the proposed cuts. I would like to thank Continental for listening to our arguments and making a decision that will be in everyone’s best interest.”

“Continental Airlines' decision to continue to fly from the Ithaca airport (ITH) is of enormous importance to our local business community,” said Jean McPheeters, President of Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.

“The combination of US Airways, Northwest and Continental brings connectivity to more than 200 cities across the world with one-stop service while keeping fares competitive. The business community here presented a strong business case to Continental for remaining in the community, but Senator Schumer's rapid and personal assistance made this happen. I am very grateful for the leadership and commitment to Upstate New York of Senator Schumer and his staff.”

Earlier this month, Senator Schumer, along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, wrote a letter to Continental CEO Larry Kellner urging him to reverse his decision to withdraw the flights to Newark. In their letter, they emphasized that the new DOT Secretary Ray LaHood is ready and able to combat flight delays in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region, and that a new Administrator to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was confirmed last week who will be capable of implementing a real solution to the region’s troubled airspace. The Senators indicated that the presence of the new DOT Secretary Ray LaHood coupled with the growing demand for travel at Ithaca Tompkins make the market extremely attractive and in need of continued daily operations to and from Newark.

Schumer also noted that between February 2008 and January 2009, Ithaca Tompkins Airport experienced a 6.3 percent increase in both arriving and departing passengers, demonstrating a rising demand for travel, even as the industry weakened elsewhere in the country. Ridership on the four daily Continental flights to Newark rose to 2,705 in April, and they were on average 72 percent full.

Shortly after the Senators sent their letter to Kellner, Senator Schumer followed up with a personal phone call. On the call, Schumer highlighted the need for reliable service to and from Ithaca Tompkins to Newark and the growing demand for air travel across the region. Schumer noted that the reach of Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport extends far beyond Ithaca because of its location within a reasonable driving distance from other communities and universities in the Finger Lakes Region, the Southern Tier and Central New York.

Schumer has been a lifetime advocate for local air service in Tompkins County. In 2005 he helped secure $500,000 in federal funds for the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The funds were used to help the airport promote its services to passengers and offer inducements to new carriers. Schumer aggressively lobbied the Transportation Secretary in several letters urging his support of Ithaca’s application. Ithaca Tompkins used the funding for business development and to help absorb some of the start-up and transition costs for new air service at the airport.

Today, Senator Schumer announced that, after personally lobbying CEO Kellner, Continental has decided to reinstate three out of the four daily round-trip Continental Connection flights operated byCommutAir between Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Source: Senator Chuck Schumer