Cape Air makes it official

Officials say funding cuts not likely to happen

By EMILY HUNKLER, Enterprise Staff Writer
LAKE CLEAR — Cape Air just started flying in and out of the Adirondack Regional Airport in February, but as it formally celebrates its recent expansion today, it is also poised to lose all of its federal funding to serve the rural airport if the Bush administration’s 2009 budget proposal passes as written.

But officials at both the small, Cape Cod-based airline and the town-owned airport expressed confidence Wednesday that they’ll retain the Essential Air Service funding.

“This is nothing new,” Airport Manager Ross Dubarry said. “They are always trying to reduce our funding.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Michelle Haynes, spokeswoman for Cape Air. “I don’t think Congress will let this happen under the leadership of Charles Schumer. He has always been a great advocate for air service to small communities.”

In February, the airport received a $1.4 million annual subsidy to ensure regular commercial flights out of the area.

The Essential Air Service program was developed to guarantee that small communities maintain a minimal level of scheduled passenger air service. Currently, the federal government subsidizes commuter airlines to serve 142 rural communities across the country that otherwise would probably not receive any passenger air service.

Under the president’s budget, the amount of subsidies would be reduced from the estimated $117 million to serve all 142 communities to $50 million, which would only subsidize service to 73 communities.

A list was developed that ranks the currently funded areas in terms of their remoteness. The most remote areas would receive funding for EAS.

The Saranac Lake/Lake Placid community is slightly below the cut-off, just after Ogdensburg.

“I don’t think it will affect us,” said Larry Miller, supervisor of the town of Harrietstown, which owns and runs the Adirondack Regional Airport. “I don’t think you will see an EAS program not pass. There is a great need for commercial air in this area.”

Dubarry dismissed the proposal as routine for the Bush administration.

“EAS is a very popular program that is successful in many locations across the country,” Dubarry said.

A letter protesting the EAS cuts has been sent to members of the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development along with members of the House Committee on Appropriations. Among the 24 signatures is that of Rep. John McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, whose district includes the airport.

“Air service that is subsidized by the EAS program allows rural communities to maintain economic vibrancy, thereby maintaining a better quality of life,” the letter stated. “American citizens should not be at a disadvantage because of where they choose to reside.”

As for Cape Air, there are much more important concerns to address, according to Haynes.

“I’m worried about fuel prices, fuel prices, fuel prices. That’s a reality, and we need to be able to provide affordable flights so people know it’s cheaper to fly than it is to drive.”

The Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear is the only one in the six-million-acre Adirondack Park with commercial passenger flights.

Contact Emily Hunkler at 891-2600 ext. 24 or ehunkler@adirondackdailyenterprise.com'>ehunkler@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.