Federal funds aid Essential Air Service

May 10, 2009 03:28 am

— PLATTSBURGH — The allotment of federal funding for regional air service has been increased, which is expected to aid North Country airports.

President Barack Obama's budget for fiscal year 2010 includes an additional $55 million for the Essential Air Service program.

The program aids airlines that serve small markets with regional service. Airlines flying into airports in Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid receive funding from the program.

The program was created in 1978 after the airline industry was de-regulated. De-regulation led to less air service in many rural areas across the country, where operating costs were higher and populations smaller.

Essential Air Service was developed to ensure that air service would be available to these small markets.

Airlines in about 140 smaller markets across the country receive funding from the program.

"There is no question about it, access to air travel is good for businesses, good for jobs and good for the financial health of the community," U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn), said in a news release.

"I've been fighting tooth and nail to protect Essential Air Service for the last eight years, so I am very pleased to see that President Obama has increased funding for rural ai r service in his budget.

"Small local airports are expensive to run but vital to the communities they serve. This budget makes sure they can do the job."

Plattsburgh International Airport opened in the summer of 2007 on the flight line of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base after county legislators decided to move the airport from its Route 3 location.

Cape Air, which provides local air service from Plattsburgh to Boston, receives funding from the program.

"This is good news for Plattsburgh International Airport," Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo said.

"This is very beneficial to all local airports."

Aside from Cape Air, two other airlines operate direct flights to Florida and South Carolina on a regular basis from Plattsburgh International but are not in the Essential Air program.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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