Letter to American Airlines President Horton

Letter

Today, following American Airlines' decision to file for bankruptcy, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on American Airlines CEO Thomas Horton to uphold their existing service at Greater Rochester International Airport, especially those flights in and out of Chicago-O'Hare International Airport. American Airlines and United Airlines are the only companies that provide regular services between the cities of Chicago and Rochester. Schumer stated that in order to ensure that there are fair prices and wide flight availability for travelers looking to connect to destinations in the western U.S, flights to Chicago-O'Hare must be maintained. Schumer also pointed out that the loss of American Airlines' flights at Rochester International would not only impact flight availability and cost, but would also threaten the airlines' employees in Rochester.

"American Airlines provides a critical link between Rochester International and destinations to the west like Chicago-O'Hare, and it is critical that those flights be preserved to ensure that the Rochester-Finger Lakes' economy is ready for takeoff," said Schumer. "I am urging American Airlines to uphold their existing service at Greater Rochester International Airport as they restructure and emerge from their recent bankruptcy filing, so that Rochester residents don't see already limited flight availability and potential destinations cut any further. What's more, I urge the airlines to avoid cuts to service that would threaten American Airlines employees in the region. In the months to come, disruptions to American Airlines flights in and out of Rochester International must be avoided so that local business flyers heading west and families headed to the West Coast are not kept grounded."

American Airlines' service to Rochester is important to New Yorkers and helps generate economic and business activity in the region. Schumer noted that Rochester families and businesses are constantly in search of access to even more flights and destinations in and out of Greater Rochester International Airport. A loss of the existing valuable service would eliminate the region's vital links to travel heading west, to hubs like Chicago and beyond. In addition, Schumer pointed to the fact that American's four daily flights from Rochester to O'Hare boast a strong 88% load factor, which underscores not only the local demand for these flights, but also the economic viability of this route when compared with the 2010 industry domestic load factor average of 82%. Schumer is urging American Airlines to preserve service in and out of Rochester as the airline emerges from Chapter 11.

With reductions to the flight schedule, American Airlines President Horton said there would probably be corresponding job cuts. American has about 78,000 employees total and 18 in Rochester. Schumer is pushing to maintain the high demand service in and out of Rochester International not only for its value to local families and businesses, but also to ensure that the jobs of American Airlines employees in Rochester are secure.

Last week, the parent company of American Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid years of higher jet fuel prices and labor struggles. American was the only major U.S. airline that didn't seek bankruptcy protection after September 11th terrorist attacks, and is the most recent to declare bankruptcy since Delta filed in 2005.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to American Airlines President Horton appears below:

December 6, 2011

Thomas W. Horton

Dear Mr. Horton:

I write to urge you to maintain your service to Upstate New York destinations as you restructure and after American Airlines emerges from bankruptcy.

American Airlines currently provides flights to and from Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Watertown in New York. These flights are important to New Yorkers and help generate economic activity Upstate. As I've traveled throughout New York, I consistently hear from families and businesses about the importance of having access to more fights and more destinations. American Airlines provides a valuable service by connecting upstate airports to Chicago and destinations beyond. For businesses this can mean greater ease in bringing in business travelers and tourists, for families it can mean more options for vacation travel.

Particularly in Rochester, in which access is Chicago is critical in order for passengers to connect to western and southwest destinations, direct service to Chicago's O'Hara is only provided by one other carrier besides American. Indeed, when compared with the industry's 2010 domestic load factor average of 82%, American's four daily flights from Rochester to O'Hare boast a strong 88% load factor, which underscores not only the local demand for these flights but also the economic viability of this route to help the airline as it emerges from Chapter 11. Moreover, the loss of American Airlines' flights at Rochester International would not only impact flight availability and cost, but would also threaten the airlines' 18 employees in Rochester.

I am pleased to hear that American Airlines has pledged to maintain its fight schedule as it undergoes reorganization through bankruptcy. I urge you to honor this pledge and further to maintain Upstate service after you emerge from bankruptcy.

Thank you for your attention to this request. If you have any questions, please contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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