AFTER MAJOR PUSH BY SCHUMER, U.S. AIRWAYS TO EXPAND SERVICE AT MACARTHUR AIRPORT BY CREATING TWICE DAILY DIRECT FLIGHTS TO REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT IN WASHINGTON, DC
Schumer Pressed U.S. Airways to Create MacArthur-Reagan Link as Part of Recently Approved Swap Deal with Delta
Direct Flights Between MacArthur and Reagan National to Begin March 25th
Schumer: Daily Flights from Islip to Washington Will Help MacArthur Airport Take Off By Providing More Convenient Air Travel for Long Island Residents and Businesses
Yesterday, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that U.S. Airways will begin twice daily, round trip flights from MacArthur Airport on Long Island to Reagan National in Washington, DC. U.S. Airways announcement comes after years of advocacy by Schumer courting the airline to offer direct flights to Washington. As recently as October, Schumer renewed his call to U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker to make the flights happen as part of a swap deal Schumer backed between U.S. Airways and Delta.
"The decision to expand service at MacArthur to Washington, DC will be a boon for Long Island residents looking for more convenient air travel, a boon for local businesses, and a boon for economic development," said Schumer. "I want to commend U.S. Airways for making this decision and agreeing with us that Long Island is the place to expand from."
The new direct flights will launch March 25 and will consist of two round trip flights between MacArthur and Reagan National. Morning flights from MacArthur to Washington will run at 6:20am and 1:15pm. Return flights from National to MacArthur will run 11:35am and 10pm. U.S. Airways Express partner Air Wisconsin will operate service to Islip on 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ200) aircraft.
Schumer, dating back to October 2009, pressed U.S. Airways to include in any swap deal new direct flights between MacArthur and Reagan National. In October of this year, the Federal Department of Transportation granted final approval for a deal between U.S. Airways and Delta that had U.S. Airways transfer 132 "slots", or flights, to Delta at LaGuardia Airport to receive 42 slots from Delta at Reagan National. At that point, Schumer immediately renewed his call on U.S. Airways to follow-through with expanded direct service between the two airports, after DOT granted approval.
In his October 27, 2011 letter to U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker, Schumer made the case that by expanding service at LIMA, U.S. Airways could offer "traffic and hassle-free" service to Long Islanders, which would be a boon for their business and Long Islanders traveling for work or vacation. Schumer pointed out that LIMA has the infrastructure, capacity, and incentives to immediately accommodate new U.S. Airways service.
A copy of Schumer's October letter to U.S. Airways can be found 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 swap 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 .