Letter to The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is pushing to secure a waiver for Chautauqua County Airport to continue receiving federal Essential Air Service investments. Last year, the airport benefitted from $1,350,803 in federal funding that helped make commercial air service economical at the airport. Without this funding, commercial service at Jamestown will likely end entirely. Following a personal call to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to push for the Jamestown waiver, Schumer today wrote to the Transportation Secretary, urging him to protect EAS as the waiver process moves forward in the coming months.

"Essential Air Service is exactly that for Jamestown -- essential," said Schumer. "The Jamestown airport is a staple of our economy in Western New York, thanks in large part to this investment. I'm going to push the Department of Transportation to grant this waiver and keep this investment coming as quickly as possible, so that passengers seeking flights have more options and businesses looking to move to or expand in Chautauqua County know they're going to have access to commercial service at Jamestown."

As a result of the Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill that was signed into law in August, twelve rural airports located within 90 miles of a larger airport that currently receive EAS funding are slated to lose the investment unless the Secretary grants the at-risk airport a waiver. Schumer argues that Western New York's ferocious winter weather often makes it extremely difficult for travelers to reach Buffalo Niagara International, and that EAS plays a critical role in the Chautauqua County economy.

The Essential Air Service program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many rural communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were less dense. Recognizing the fundamental role that air travel plays in rural development, the EAS program was put in to place to guarantee air service to these underserved communities. EAS provides subsidies to commuter airlines across the country to serve approximately 140 rural communities, including seven communities like Jamestown in upstate New York.

Schumer stressed that the airport is particularly important to the economy in Western New York, and pointed to Cummins Inc., as an example of a pillar of the economy that benefits from a thriving local airport. Cummins bought their Jamestown engine plant in 1974 and built their first engine in 1978. Since that time, the plant has become a flagship manufacturing facility for Cummins with 1,450 employees who helped the company reach its 1,000,000th engine milestone in 2008. The Jamestown Plant is expected to be a key part of Cummins growth by reaching their 2,000,000th engine milestone in 2015. The numbers clearly demonstrate the critical importance of the company's Jamestown workforce and manufacturing facility. Efficient movement of personnel is vital to the smooth operation of the engine plant. The Jamestown airport allows Cummins to quickly and safely transport employees to the plant without having to travel long distances. Schumer noted that the benefits that Cummins employees used the airport for both business and tourism, as thousands of individuals from other companies throughout Western New York have done.

The text of Senator Schumer's letter to Secretary LaHood appears below:

October 11, 2011

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:

I write to you today out of concern for the future of Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport in Jamestown, New York. Essential Air Service to Jamestown Airport is extremely important to the people of Chautauqua County and the surrounding region. For this reason, I urge you to continue the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Essential Air Service (EAS) program at Jamestown.

For rural communities throughout the nation, the EAS program has been a lifeline that connects people and supports economic activity. I know you share my belief that air service for small communities can help serve as an economic engine and I was heartened during your confirmation process when you stated your desire to work with the Congress to ensure that small communities remain connected to the national air transportation system.

Essential Air Service is exactly that for Jamestown -- essential. Without the aid provided through the Essential Air Service Program, commercial air service at Jamestown airport will likely end which would have a negative impact on the economy of Western New York. The Jamestown airport has been a staple of our economy in Chautauqua County and all of Western New York, thanks in large part to this investment. Tourism in the region will suffer if access to commercial service is cut off and families will have to travel farther to access air service. It is critical that DOT grant a waiver to allow the EAS program to continue to serve Jamestown so that businesses looking to move to or grow in the region know they're going to have access to commercial service at Jamestown.

Cummins Inc. of Jamestown is a prime example of how the economy benefits from a thriving local airport. Cummins bought their Jamestown engine plant in 1974 and built their first engine in 1978. Since that time, the plant has become a flagship manufacturing facility for Cummins with 1,450 employees who helped the company reach its 1,000,000th engine milestone in 2008. The Jamestown Plant is expected to be a key part of Cummins' growth by reaching their 2,000,000th engine milestone in 2015. Cummins has told me personally that the efficient movement of personnel is vital to the smooth operation of their engine plant. The Jamestown airport allows Cummins to quickly and safely transport employees to the plant without having to travel long distances.

As a result of the short term Federal Aviation Administration authorization extension bill that was signed into law in August, twelve rural airports located within 90 miles of a larger airport that currently receive EAS funding are slated to lose the investment unless you grant the airport a waiver. Jamestown is a prime example of an airport which merits such a waiver. Not only is the airport essential to the surrounding communities, but Western New York's harsh winter weather often makes it extremely difficult for travelers to reach Buffalo Niagara International, making air service out of Jamestown critical to the Chautauqua County economy.

Due to the impact that a loss of EAS status would have on Jamestown, I implore you to grant a waiver that will allow essential air services to continue for the residents of Western New York. I look forward to working with you to promote economic growth in Western New York and encourage you to contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-224-6542 with any questions.

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