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.County of Jefferson

Office of the County Administrator

Uistoric Courthouse

195 Arsenal Street, 2

nd floor

Watertown. l'IY13601-2567

Phone: (315) 785-3075 Fax: (315) 785.5070

Dennis J. DeVany, Chief

Essential Air Service Division

Office of Aviation Analysis

U. S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D. C. 20~90

J

f'il _."

September II, 2013

RE: EAS Community Response /

Docket DOT-OST-1997-2842 t/

Dear Mr. DeVany:

On behalf of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators and, in particular, its Airport Advisory

Committee I would like to offer a few comments relative to the proposed continuation of commercial

.air service at the Watertown International Airport by American Airlines/American Eagle (AAIAE).

Because our direct airline service linkage with Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is dependant

upon an important funding support stream provided through the federal government's Essential Air

Service (EAS) Program, let me advise you that Jefferson County is wishing to go on record in

support of the proposal that was submitted to your office by the airline in mid July.

Unlike in more recent two year cycles of competitive bidding for EAS funding assistance, wherein

the likelihood of either a different commercial air carrier with a smaller fleet of airplanes heading

to a sub-hub or no proposals at all being submitted to the FAA might be the eventual outcome, we

now find ourselves in a position of familiarity & continuity with a "legacy airline". With nearly two

years of operating experience at the Watertown International Airport, AAIAE has developed a

steady growth in ridership as well as a reliable service to a major continental hub. Not wanting to

rest on its early successes the airline is continuing to make additional strides in passenger growth for

our entire northern NY region. The business plan that Jefferson County established several years

ago relative to the growth of our commercial service at the airport is being achieved at a much faster

pace than anticipated for the soldiers & families associated with Fort Drum, the businesses located

on both sides of our border with Canada and the residents of Jefferson County and the entire

Thousand Islands International region.

Added to AAI AE's continuing committment to Jefferson County and the surrounding area is the now
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documented ease of purchasing a very reasonably priced ticket, the convenience of reaching almost

any destination within the country in short order and the airline's plan to add another much needed

flight on Sunday. It is also worthy of note that this most recent proposal asks for the flexibility to

tap one of ANAE's affiliate operations to insure that there is the availability of 44 seat regional jets

to service our airport on the few occasions where unforeseen operational glitches might surface, a

slight adjustment that we have absolutely no problem in supporting. With the intended expansion

of our main runway by 1,000 feet within the not too distant future a little more operational flexibility

will be afforded the airline which, in turn, might also positively impact ridership. Finally, the

AN AE request to again insert a 120 day notice to terminate service continues to be acceptable on

our part as given the accomplishments to date with this particular commercial air carrier that we have

collectively benefitted from we do not foresee a situation in which that contractual option will be

called into play.

Your endorsement of American Airlines/American Eagl~ by awarding another two year EAS

contract with that particular commercial airline is hereby requested. AN AE has more than met all

of our expectations in the initial two year period that we have worked with one another. Unsolicited

comments continue to come to our attention relative to the both the quality &convenience of service

being offered at our airport through AN AE; organizations such as our local Chamber of Commerce

and many associated with Fort Drum have become faithful customers along with the general

public to which our monthly ridership numbers continue to demonstrate that steady growth!

Should you have any questions regarding this recommendation, I would be very happy to respond.

Thank you for your continuing assistance and support with all of our efforts to efficiently &

effectively provide quality commercial air service at the Watertown International. Airport

County Administrator

Jefferson County Board of Legislators

County Airport Manager