Fate of flights from Roanoke to New York is up in the air

Travelers using the Roanoke Regional Airport could see a change in nonstop flights to New York because of a "slot swap" approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation this week. US Airways and Delta Air Lines have been in discussions to swap landing and takeoff rights, or slots, at Ronald Reagan Washington National and New York's LaGuardia airports for years. It could affect Roanoke because that reallocation could mean the end of nonstop service between Roanoke Regional Airport and LaGuardia. Currently, US Airways flies from Roanoke to LaGuardia three times each weekday and once on Sundays, and operates an equal number of return flights.

As of Wednesday evening, it was unknown if the service would be affected, said Jacqueline Shuck, executive director of Roanoke Regional Airport. Travelers still could fly from Roanoke to New York, but would have to make a connection in another city. "It's just a matter of convenience," Shuck said. "Nonstop is certainly preferable ? but we'll continue to have one-stop service." Roanoke Regional Airport spokeswoman Sherry Wallace told The Roanoke Times in March that Delta has said that if it receives the slots, it does not plan to operate Roanoke-New York flights. If any changes were made, it could take six months or longer because flights are often scheduled and booked months in advance, Shuck said. Any economic effect of the proposed changes is also unknown, but would probably be minimal, Shuck said. The airport collects fees of about $2 per 1,000 pounds of weight for each plane that lands, Shuck said. The fees are collected because the heavier a plane is, the more wear and tear it causes on the runways, she said. "If there are fewer flights, then there are fewer landing weights," Shuck said. "But it's not going to break us." In a statement sent Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, said he's committed to working with Delta to preserve one-stop service from Roanoke to LaGuardia. "While I have had concerns regarding this slot swap agreement, due in large part to the deal's affect on smaller communities, like Roanoke, I am committed to working with the local community and Delta to preserve access to the New York market," Goodlatte said. "In conversations I have had with Delta, they have been receptive to the idea of maintaining service between Roanoke and New York and I look forward to working with them to ensure that happens." Although the announcement caused some concern, it was also a source of relief, Shuck said. "When they're waiting on these filings, airlines don't feel they have any latitude to talk with you," Shuck said. "Now we can start having meaningful discussions again" with other carriers. U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner have both spoken out against the issue earlier in the year, but neither could be reached for comment Wednesday evening. Webb and Warner wrote a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in March that they fear the fallout from the swap proposal could be a loss of vital airline services at Roanoke and other small airports. "Access to New York City, the pre-eminent financial center in the country, provides a vital one-stop connection for the people of Southwest Virginia, regional businesses, and major universities within a one-hour drive of the airport. It has proven vital to the regional employment base," the letter said.