The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a proposal to change the Essential Air Service provider from Boutique Air to SkyWest in Massena and Ogdensburg. The proposed SkyWest service would fly jets to Washington D.C. and Chicago twice a day, replacing the three flights a day to Boston and flights to Albany offered by Boutique Air. The proposal, if approved, would broaden air travel opportunities for North Country residents and university students, but hurt travelers who depend on the services to Boston and Albany.
“SkyWest’s faster and pressurized jets and relationships with other carriers, such as United Express, will provide our university and other institutions across the North Country with true access to the rest of the country and world,” said SLU President Bill Fox in a press release. “This level of access has never before been available in St. Lawrence County and will be transformative.”
Business representatives, politicians and university officials in the North Country echoed Fox’s support of SkyWest’s proposal in press releases, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, Clarkson University President Anthony Collins, SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg and Ogdensburg school board members and town officials. The majority of the local figures cited expanded tourism and business access as major reasons for their support.
However, those in favor of the switch in airline service failed to address the affects the SkyWest service would have on the Massena community. “I would consider this proposition a $6 million EAS contract for Ogdensburg with a shuttle service to Massena,” said Massena Town Council Member Sam Carbone in an email interview. “If SkyWest is awarded the contract, this might be the beginning of the end of air service from Massena.”
According to Carbone, 80 percent of the local feedback is for Boutique Air to remain as Massena’s EAS provider. This is mainly due to the travelling inconveniences Massena flyers would have under the SkyWest service. Each of the flights to D.C. and Chicago would go through Ogdensburg, and for Massena passengers, this would add an hour to their flight.
The SkyWest proposal also cuts services to Boston and Albany entirely, making it difficult for travellers who rely on the services for employment or health concerns. “I have had many [SLU] faculty and staff expressing concerns about losing the service between Boston and Massena,” said Carbone. “We also live in an area with one of the highest cancer rates, and our residents have been fortunate to fly to Boston in the morning, attend their appointments and return to their families in the same day.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce their EAS service selection in
mid-February. Skywest’s proposal needs a total of $5.5 million in EAS subsidies to be approved by the DOT in order to pay for the service.