Schumer warns about proposed federal budget cut’s impact on North Country air service

DEXTER, N.Y. — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) says he’s worried about the proposed elimination of a federal program subsidizing air service in Northern New York communities.

The Democrat indicated the Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2018 federal budget would eliminate the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which provides funding for small, rural airports nationwide.

They include airports serving Watertown in Jefferson County and Ogdensburg and Massena in St. Lawrence County, according to a news release Schumer’s office issued Friday.

Schumer outlined his concern while speaking Friday at the Watertown International Airport in Dexter, near Watertown.

The EAS program is “critical” to supporting air service in a number of communities, including those in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Lewis counties, the lawmaker contends.

Schumer also added that the cut is “reckless, harmful to the economy, counter-productive and could deeply impact the ability” of Watertown International Airport and many other North Country airports to remain operational for commercial flights, “undermining” the local economy and “forcing” residents to drive “hours” to the next closest airport, according to the news release.

EAS impact

Schumer pointed to what he termed as Watertown International Airport’s “success” utilizing the federal program.

The EAS provides nearly $2 million per year in “critical” support for twice-daily American Airlines flights from Watertown to Philadelphia, serving nearly 35,000 passengers each year.

Watertown International and American Airlines have worked to decrease reliance on the EAS program over the years, but officials say it is still “necessary” to maintain service. Eliminating the federal support in 2018 could “wipe out the service completely,” delivering a “massive blow” to the North Country’s economy, Schumer contended.

Beyond Watertown, the EAS program funding also subsidizes North Country airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid.

Massena International Airport, which recently chose Boutique Air to provide service this year, served 10,554 passengers in 2016.

Ogdensburg International Airport transported about 8,233 passengers through its EAS contract with Cape Air last year.

Plattsburgh served 13,432 passengers and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid transported 9,547 passengers through their EAS contracts.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com