SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City) has informed the US Department of Transportation (DOT) that it will not launch Essential Air Service (EAS) flights to Massena, NY, because the runway at the airport does not meet the minimal requirements for regional jet operations.
"During preparations for service launch in Massena, it has come to our attention that the Massena airport does not meet minimum federal operating requirements for the CRJ200 regional jet. The process to make the necessary updates for compliance is likely to take an extended period of time. Due to these airport operating limitations, we are unable to provide air service to Massena as scheduled," Managing Director (Market Development) Greg Atkin wrote to the DOT.
The regional specialist was previously awarded EAS contracts at Massena and Ogdensburg, NY, replacing Cape Air (9K, Hyannis) and Boutique Air (4B, San Francisco), respectively. SkyWest was due to start services from both cities to Washington Dulles and Chicago O'Hare in early May 2019.
The airline said that, although its initial offer for the Ogdensburg EAS was contingent on it being awarded the Massena route as well, it will nonetheless operate to Ogdensburg as planned from May 3, 2019.
"While this is a disappointing development, we look forward to providing service in Ogdensburg and hope to be able to consider service to Massena in the future as the necessary updates are made," Atkin added.
Boutique Air, the only airline serving Massena, operates its service to Boston using PC-12 equipment.
