SCHUMER CALLS ON U.S. AIRWAYS TO CREATE MACARTHUR-REAGAN LINK

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today renewed his call to U.S. Airways to expand their service at Long Island's MacArthur Airport (LIMA) to include two round trip flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in light of the approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a takeoff and landing swap with Delta Airlines. In 2009, Schumer pressed U.S. Airways to commit to service at MacArthur and the airline voiced confidence that upon approval, service to DCA could be established. Earlier this month, DOT approved of a long-awaited flight swap deal between U.S. Airways and Delta airlines that will result in the airlines switching a number of flights they carry at DCA and LaGuardia Airpot (LGA). In a letter to U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker, Schumer called on the airline to follow through and expand service at MacArthur.

"All the pieces are now in place to finally expand U.S. Airways service at MacArthur to include direct flights to Reagan National airport in Washington D.C.," said Schumer. "By offering convenient hassle free service to our nation's capital, a MacArthur-Reagan National connection would be music to the ears of Long Island commuters, businesses, and travelers, and I urge U.S. Airways to quickly expand their service in New York."

Almost two weeks ago, the DOT issued final approval for a deal between U.S. Airways and Delta that will see U.S. Airways transfer 132 "slots", or flights, to Delta at LGA and receive 42 slots from Delta at DCA. This deal was tentatively approved in July, but only received final approval in mid-October. As part of this deal, U.S. Airways voiced confidence that they would be able to expand their service at DCA and LIMA by offering at least two daily round-trip flights from the two airports.

"This would be a great development for MacArthur airport and for US Airways. These flights will be very successful and will lead to more direct flights at MacArthur airport," said Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan.

Schumer today called on U.S. Airways to expand their service at LIMA to include a direct link to DCA. In his letter to CEO Doug Parker, Schumer laid out a number of reasons why U.S. Airways should expand to LIMA. Schumer noted that demographic evidence on Long Island suggests that the region is growing eastward, with the largest current and projected population growth within the region around LIMA. With this population shift and the growing challenge of Long Island parkway traffic, expanding U.S. Airways service at LIMA would make for a convenient alternative to Long Islanders traveling to Washington D.C.

Schumer also pointed out that, by expanding their service at LIMA, U.S. Airways could offer "traffic and hassle-free" service to Long Islanders, a boon for their business and Long Islanders traveling for work or vacation. And Schumer noted that LIMA currently has the infrastructure, capacity, and incentives to immediately accommodate new U.S. Airways service, and could realize greater efficiencies in takeoff and departure timing due to lower congestion levels in LIMA's airspace, cutting down on delays and wasted fuel.

A copy of Schumer's letter is below.

Dear CEO Parker,

I write to renew my support for expanded U.S. Airways service at Long Island's MacArthur Airport (LIMA) in Ronkonkoma, NY and urge your airline to establish a direct connection between MacArthur Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). When U.S. Airways first announced it would seek U.S. Department of Transportation approval (DOT) for a flight swamp deal with Delta Airlines, your company voiced confidence that upon approval, MacArthur Airport would be part of the airlines expansion plan. I am confident that the densely populated middle-class communities of Suffolk and Eastern Nassau counties constitute a major growth area for your airline and your expansion there would provide a "hassle-free" alternative to the congested New York City airports for millions of Long Islanders.

The most recent demographic evidence on Long Island show that the region is growing Eastward, with the largest current and projected population growth within LIMA's "catchment" area. Long Island is home to a diverse mix of high-tech businesses and workers who rely on domestic travel for work and play. A recent study conducted by the Airport and the FAA proved that LIMA's catchment area generates approximately 4 million enplanements per year, with nearly 3 million of those passengers traveling to busy New York City airports for air travel. This same analysis showed that growth trends forecast an increase to 6.2 million enplaned passengers originating from LIMA's catchment area by the year 2025. With this population shift eastward and the growing challenge of Long Island parkway traffic, expanding U.S. Airway service at LIMA could make for a convenient alternative to hundreds of thousands of your customers.

At LIMA, U.S. Airways could offer "traffic and hassle-free" service, a boon for your business and Long Islanders traveling for work or vacation. Finally, it is important to note that LIMA currently has the infrastructure, capacity, and incentives to immediately accommodate new U.S. Airways service. As I mentioned, your airline could realize greater efficiencies in takeoff and departure timing due to lower congestion levels in LIMA's airspace, cutting down on delays and wasted fuel. I would urge U.S. Airways to expanded service at Long Island's MacArthur Airport.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

U.S. Senator

Read this original document at: http://schumer.senate.gov/Newsroom/record.cfm?id=334602