U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) today urged
AirTran to continue flights to and from
Stewart international Airport in New Windsor. In a letter to AirTran President and CEO Bob Fornaro, Hall asked him to immediately reconsider any plans that involve AirTran ceasing operations at
Stewart Airport and to continue to maintain a presence at the airport.
"With the increased congestion in the New York area over the last few years, and the recent decision by the FAA to install a cap-based system at the major New York City airports, I fully expect the importance of Stewart to expand greatly in the near future," said Congressman Hall, who is Vice Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. "The Hudson Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in New York State, and Stewart is ideally located to service those communities."
AirTran announced today that it would close down its operations at Stewart Airport on September 3rd. Currently, AirTran ranks number two in passengers at Stewart, serving 315,555 people over a 12 month period ending this past March. The main services are nonstop flights to Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, and Tampa Bay, Florida and to Atlanta, Georgia. AirTran has offered flights at Stewart since January 11, 2007.
Congressman Hall offered to work with the company to ensure that a continuation of services at Stewart would be beneficial to both AirTran and Hudson Valley residents.
