SARANAC LAKE - Two airlines have submitted bids to the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide commercial passenger service at the Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear.
Cape Air, the airport's current carrier, and Colgan Air Inc., were the only two airlines that responded to the U.S. DOT's request for proposals by an Oct. 29 deadline. Both are seeking federal subsidies from the Essential Air Service program to serve passengers in Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh.
Cape Air, based in Hyannis, Mass., wants to continue serving both communities but also says in its 33-page proposal that it is "willing and able to serve either community without the other."
The airline began flying between Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh and Logan International Airport in Boston in February 2008 with nine-seat Cessna 402 aircraft. Cape Air's proposal says it has increased enplanements (the number of passengers boarding an airplane) by 44 percent in Saranac Lake and 145 percent in Plattsburgh. The company also says its passengers will be able to "connect seamlessly" to JetBlue flights in Boston using a new reservation system.
Michelle Haynes, communications director for Cape Air, said they want to continue serving the area.
"We love the communities up there," she said. "The people in Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh have been extraordinarily supportive of the service. We've had great numbers, and we're very happy."
Cape Air's proposal contained six different service options, two of which would provide additional flights at both the Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh airports between June and September and another two options that would provide Plattsburgh passengers with service to Albany. But the U.S. DOT is not considering those options because they are "above and beyond the level of service" that was being sought in the request for proposals.
That leaves Cape Air with two viable proposals, each of which includes three daily, round-trip flights to Boston from Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh. The airline is seeking an annual federal subsidy of $2.7 million for a two-year contract or $2.6 million annually under a four-year contract.
Colgan Air, based in Manassas, Va., filed a six-page proposal to the U.S. DOT requesting a two-year subsidy of $3.2 million for year one and $3.1 million in year two. The company says it will provide 19 round-trip flights each week between Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh and Boston using 34-seat Saab 340 planes.
Colgan provides service as U.S. Airways Express, a partnership the company says allows "seamless connection to U.S. Airways domestic and international route system via the U.S. Airways focus city at Boston Logan International Airport."
"Colgan Air has a long operating history with U.S. Airways at Boston Logan and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to outstanding passenger service to the communities we serve," the company's proposal says.
A call to Colgan Air for additional comment wasn't returned Friday.
Before deciding which airline will get the subsidy, the U.S. DOT is requesting input from local officials on each airline's proposals.
Town of Harrietstown Supervisor Larry Miller told the Enterprise last month that he's pleased with the service provided by Cape Air and hopes the airline secures a contract to continue flying out of the Lake Clear airport, which is run by the town.
"We'll look at all the proposals," he said. "But personally, I'm leaning toward Cape Air. Cape Air has made a commitment that they're part of the community."
Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sylvie Nelson also hopes Cape Air wins the subsidy.
"The ultimate decision will be made by the federal government," she said Friday, "but our experience with Cape Air has been extremely positive. We've never heard one complaint from anyone regarding Cape Air. They've proven themselves in the past two years."
Cape Air's current federal subsidy expires on March 1, 2010. The U.S. DOT will likely award a new contract sometime in January.
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Contact Chris Knight at 891-2600 ext. 24 or cknight@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
