Flights to Chicago and Washington, D.C. will be available for North Country travelers beginning in April. US Department of Transportation officials announced the Essential Air Service provider change for Massena and Ogdensburg Airports earlier this month. The USDOT awarded SkyWest’s proposal, replacing the current air services to Albany and Boston.
The decision has sparked enthusiasm in upstate New York. “The U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to award SkyWest Airlines EAS funds is a huge win for the North Country,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik in a press release. “Not only will the communities of Massena and Ogdensburg have more travel options, but these added flights will attract more tourists to our region, which will in turn bolster economic development in the region.”
Other local figures expressed support for SkyWest when the EAS proposals were initially announced, including St. Lawrence University President William Fox, Clarkson University President Anthony Collins, SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg and Ogdensburg school board members and town officials. Many of those in favor of SkyWest’s proposal cited expanded tourism and business access as major reasons for their support.
SkyWest officials plan to provide two round trips a day from Ogdensburg and Massena to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The airline estimates the average ticket cost will be $101, although it is unclear whether this estimate is for a roundtrip or one-way ticket. The average, non-refundable round trip ticket for this time of the year offered by the current EAS provider, Boutique Air, is $60.
Despite the reasons outlined by SkyWest’s supporters, Massena City Council Members and citizens notably voiced their desire to stay with Boutique Air. “80 percent of the (local) feedback was for Boutique Air to remain as Massena’s EAS provider,” said Massena Town Council Member Sam Carbone in an email interview earlier this year. “I would consider (SkyWest’s plan) a $6,000,000 EAS contract for Ogdensburg with a shuttle service to Massena.”
Although the decision may be unpopular in Massena, the town officials will still aid the new air service provider in it’s transition. “We felt that Boutique was best for the community,” said Massena Supervisor Steven D. O’Shaughnessy in an interview with Watertown Daily Times. “But we’re certainly going to work with SkyWest and make it work for the people of Massena.”
Beginning on April 1, SkyWest will fly 50-passenger CRJ200 aircraft for a two-year contract extending from April 1 until March 31, 2021.