## County of Jefferson

Office of the County Administrator lIistoric Courthouse 195 Arsenal Street, 2nd floor Watertown, NY 13601-2567 PhDne: (315) 785-3075 Pax: (315) 785-5070

March 17,2014

Kevin Adams Essential Air Service Division Office ofDomestic Analysis U. S. Department ofTransportation 1200New Jersey Avenue, S. E. Washington, D. C. 20590 . ~ f')0

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RE:

Dear Mr. Adams: EAS ConU11Unity Response Revised Docket DOT-OST-1-997 28n 'J017- DigS

As you know, a significant number of commercial airline routing patterns are in a state of evolutionary change as the result of the recently completed merger of legacy air carriers U. S. Airways & American Airlines. Among the communities thatfind themselves "on the front end" of that important process is our northern New York community and the Watertown Ilitcrnational Airport. Therefore, on behalf ofthe Jefferson COlmtyBoard ofLegislators and the entire northern NY region they represent I would like to offer a few comments relative to American Airline's proposed mid-term flight adjustments under the existing essential air service (EAS) program. Enclosed with this correspondence you will find a copy ofthe letterjust received from American Airlines that outlines it's proposed alternate flight service pattern. Upon close review of that proposal you will find that departure & arrival times at each end ofthe dayremain quite similar to what iscurrently taking place atour airport. The airline is suggesting a change to its late afternoon arrival/departure schedule by moving that sequence to early afternoon as away to bolster the one weak leg ofthe four to/from flights a day to the Watertown International Airport. Additionally, subsequent tothe mostrecent EAS awardtoAmerican Airlines lastfall, the 12federally subsidized flight schedule was increased byaSundayevening flight atthetotal expense ofthe airline. Thusfar, that move has proven to be successful. The reason for bringing that point to your attention isthat undertherevised flight schedule program now being offered byAmerican Airlines itis againtaking the initiative of adding a second airline sponsored flight on Saturday, bring the commercial air service coverage to atotal of 14ortwo flights a day to/from the Watertown International Airport.

.. ""'-With both of these proposed adjustments the County is very supportive of what the airline is

proposing. The most significant adjustment being proposed by American Airlines and likely critical to the continuing ridership success thatwehavebeen enjoying sincethis legacyaircarrierbeganproviding service to the Watertown International AirpOli, is that the national airport hub servicing ourareais going to switch to the Philadelphia International Airport. Additional opportunity, because ofthe recentairlinemerger, to stayconnectedto anational airtransportation network viaamajorhubmuch closer to our region at atime when a combination ofnegative factors are impacting the entire commercial airline industry

......is what is taking place with this proposed operational change by American Airlines. Along with the equally efficient but shorter travel time c01l1lectivityto Philadelphia comes the availability of an upgrade in commercial service to a 50 seat CRJ200 regionaljet. Again, with the pending retirement of44 seatRJ's inthe foreseeable future, the type ofjet currently servicing our airport, the timing of this hub relocation couldn't be better. Finally, understanding some ofthe complexities ofwhat is happening throughout the airline indlistry and, inparticular with our current legacy carrier, coupled with the success already demonstrated in the firstthreeyears ofservice tothe Watertown International Airport, this modification will provide us with an opportunity to stay connected to convenient national and international travel when many other communities are facing the stark reality of simply losing their current commercial airline carrier service altogether. With this last but most significant change to our current airline service, Jefferson County remains supportive ofthe proposal being brought forth by American Airlines. One important "side note" that does need to be acknowledged is the fact that our immediate plans callforone ofourrunways tobe expanded by 1,000feet bythe endof2015to better accommodate the soontobeassigned to ourairpOliCRJ200 during allfourweather seasons. Forthe late2014 and early2015winter season, however, whenweatherconditions aremorechallenging forflights coming & leaving our airport the airline intends to utilize aDash 8turboprop. While ourpreference would be otherwise, from a safety factor perspective the reason for a short term switch during this upcoming winter season is understood.
Yom endorsement of the commercial flight program adjustments being proposed by "the new" American Airlines is officially being requested. The increased growth in commercial ridership at the Watertown International Airport through om successful partnership with American Airlines spealesfor itself. The exciting thing that "our air transportation partner" is offering now is an opportunity forour airport to continue to grow and, in so doing, offermore economic development potential for all of nOlihern New York to take advantage of in the years to come by helping to efficiently connect amore rural area ofNew York State with the entire country. Should you have any questions or comments regarding this request Iwould be happy to respond. Thankyouforyow'assistance andcontinuing suppOliofallofourefforts overthepast severalyears to provide quality commercial air service to our region and the Wateliown International Airport.Sincerely, 

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County Administrator



# , I c Kevin Schlemmer, EAS Division

Jefferson County Board ofLegislators Watertown International Airport ManagerChuck Schubert Vice President American Airlines Network Planning

March 12th, 20I4
Mr. Robert M. Hagemann, 1II County Administrator Jefferson County 195 Arsenal Street Watertown, NY 13601
Re: Alternate Service Pattern to PHL
Dear Mr. Hagemann: 

# American Airlines ~.

For over two years we've been providing Essential Air Service (EAS) from Watertown International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport with American Eagle Airlines, Inc. We are currently serving Watertown with a 44-seat Embraer ERJ-I40 jet, a fleet type that we are rapidly retiring. Due to the runway length at the Watertown airport and FAA regulations, this is the only jet aircraft in our fleet that can operate the longer Watertown to Chicago stage length witbout substantial weight penalties. In addition, new FAA regulations have created challenges for network carriers to recruit and retain regional pilots. Our regional partners are encountering difficulties staffing flights and some have had to park aircraft in response to the new requirements. This pilot shortage has left many EAS communities. without service. We are consequently left with only two options: exercise our 120-day-aut clause or use our other regional brand, US Airways Express, with service to the Philadelphia International Airport. American Airline sees value in continuing service to Watertown and that option is our preferred solution.
Our proposal for the alternate service pattern will aiiow Watertown to stay connected to the national transportation system through a large hub airport operated by the world's largest airline. Compared to the more distant O'Hare, the shorter stage length to Philadelphia offers enhanced connectivity. Philadelphia's shorter stage length and its superior location for Watertown passengers will offer enhanced omni-directional routing and may help to increase the number oflow fares available to Watertown. We propose serving the community with twice daily service for a total of fourteen weekly roundtrips, two more than the twelve weekly round trips currently required. The service will primarily be conducted by US Airways Express operators Piedmont and Air Wisconsin, with either 37 seat Dash 8 turboprops or 50 seat CRJ200 regional jets. While any ofthe many American/USAir code-share partners would be eligible to provide the service, we commit to serving Watertown with either of those two aircraft. Appendix A highlights the alternate service pattern. We remain confident that this is the best option for the community and the airline.
American Airlines is committed to providing EAS at Watertown. We ask that Jefferson County support our request for an alternate service pattern to Philadelphia.
Thank you for your attention toward this matter,
Sincerely.

Chuck Schubert Vice President AmerIcan Airlines Network PlannIng

# AmericanAirlines'i.. Appendix A Market: Aircraft Frequency Mileage Annual Deps (Factored) Completion Percentage Watertown, NY to Philadelphia CRJ200and DH8 2x daily rlt 287 1,431 98.0%
Proposed Schedule Fit Desg Freq Dept DeptTime Arvl ArrvTime US 3779 1234567 ART 07:30 PHL 08:40 US 4028 1234567 ART 13:15 PHL 14:25 US 4028 1234567 PHL 11:30 ART 12:48 US 3922

..... 6. PHL 18:24 ART 19:58 US 3922 12345.7 PHL 20:55 ART 22:15 * Schedule is shown for illustrative purposes only and American Airlines reserves the right to change without notice. Dne to Watertown's runway limitations, we intend to operate the 50 seat CRJ200 regional jet from May to early September.

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