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.County of Jefferson

Office of the County Administrator Uistoric Courthouse 195 Arsenal Street, 2nd floor Watertown. l'IY13601-2567 Phone: (315) 785-3075 Fax: (315) 785.5070

Dennis J. DeVany, Chief Essential Air Service Division Office ofAviation 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 

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Dear Mr. DeVany: On behalf of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators and, in particular, its Airport Advisory Committee Iwould liketo offer afewcomments relative totheproposed continuation ofcommercial

.air service atthe 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 ofthe proposal that was submitted to your office by the airline in mid July. Unlike in more recent two year cycles ofcompetitive bidding for EAS funding assistance, wherein the likelihood of either adifferent 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 aposition offamiliarity &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 areliable service to amajor continental hub. Not wanting to rest on its early successes the airline is continuing tomake additional strides inpassenger growth for our entire northern NY region. The business plan that Jefferson County established several years agorelative to the growth ofour commercial service atthe airport isbeing achieved at amuch 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 toAAIAE's continuing committment to Jefferson County andthe surrounding areaisthenow

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documented ease ofpurchasing avery reasonably priced ticket, the convenience ofreaching 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 ofnote that this most recent proposal asks for the flexibility to tap one of

### ANAE's affiliate operations to insure that there is the availability of44 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 ofour main runway by 1,000 feet within the nottoo distant future alittle 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 ourpart as given the accomplishments to datewith thisparticular commercial aircarrier thatwehave collectively benefitted fromwe 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. 

### ANAE has more than met all ofour expectations in the initial two yearperiod that we have worked with one another. Unsolicited comments continue to come to our attention relative to theboth the quality &convenience ofservice being offered atour airport through 

### ANAE; organizations such as our local Chamber ofCommerce 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, Iwould 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 ofLegislators County Airport Manager