PenAir flights from Plattsburgh start today

PLATTSBURGH — PenAir launched its service between Plattsburgh and Boston on Thursday.

The first flight was scheduled to leave Logan International Airport in Boston at 1:10 p.m. and arrive in Plattsburgh at 2:35 p.m.

The full schedule starts today with flights from Plattsburgh scheduled for 6 a.m. and 3:05 p.m.

The airline offers two flights each weekday between Plattsburgh and Boston, one round-trip flight on Saturdays and another on Sundays.

PenAir Chief Operating Officer Dave Hall said the day has finally arrived for PenAir to be a common sight in the North County.

“We invite all our new customers to be a regular on our flights. From Plattsburgh to Lake Placid, to our friends throughout Canada, we are excited to start this new venture with all of you,” he said in a press release.

North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas welcomed PenAir to Plattsburgh International Airport.

“We thank PenAir for their commitment to Plattsburgh, including basing their new operations here,” he said by email.

“This is the only Boston connection in the region, providing a valuable service for Vermonters as well as the North Country and our Montreal friends.

“And for all of us who would like one day to see other service and hub connections, the best way to achieve that is for everyone to make maximum use of this service for business and personal travel.”

16 EMPLOYEES HERE

In March, the U.S. Department of Transportation selected PenAir to provide Essential Air Service flights at Plattsburgh International. That service was previously provided by Colgan Air, but its parent company, Pinnacle Air, decided to leave the Boston market last year.

PenAir is slated to receive a federal subsidy of $2.6 million a year, prorated for the first six months, to provide the service. That will drop to $2.47 million a year over the following 18 months.

The three planes PenAir is using to provide service to Boston from Plattsburgh, as well as from Bar Harbor and Presque Isle in Maine, are to be stored and maintained in leased hangar space in Plattsburgh.

PenAir expects to have 16 employees in Plattsburgh to start.

Its Saab aircraft can carry up to 30 passengers and feature pressurized cabins, a flight attendant and restroom.

PenAir is a code-share partner with Alaska Airlines and has electronic ticketing arrangements with that airline, as well as American, Delta, US Air, United and several other carriers. That allows passengers to get tickets and bags cleared through to a final destination when they purchase tickets.

Email Dan Heath:

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