Last week, the Business Travel Coalition issued a report on the economic fallout from sky rocketing fuel costs saying that at least 150 airports were in danger of seeing some cutbacks by carriers now serving them. In a few cases, airports could lose all of their service. Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport was on this list. However, the small airport that’s just 10 minutes from Cornell University and Ithaca College is announcing both a new airline and a new Regional jet service for the flying public.

The Ithaca Airport, a small airport that works daily to ensure constant, collaborative communication with its airlines, tenants, customers, business and leisure travelers and the community at large, is pleased to announce an increase in jet service and welcome a new airline this fall.

“The addition of jet service for Northwest Airlines (NWA) and welcoming a new airline Continental Airlines for fall 2008 are two pieces of extraordinary news,” said Robert A. Nicholas, A.A.E., Airport Manager for the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. “During a time of cutbacks, increased service bucks the trend we’re witnessing at airports around the country, particularly smaller ones,” said Nicholas.

“We’ll continue to update the community we serve throughout the summer and the fall,” Nicholas concluded. A community celebration with federal and airline officials is planned for later this year.

With airlines and airports adjusting to cutbacks related to the constantly soaring price of fuel, the Ithaca Airport Air Service Board and Airport Administration unveiled two announcements at an update meeting given to the Tompkins County Legislature on Tuesday evening.

The first announcement outlined the addition of jet service for Northwest Airlines beginning August 14 of this year and lasting for at least one quarter. The other, was the announcement that Continental Airlines will be returning to Ithaca, bringing the total complement of airlines at ITH to three. US Airways already offers jet service, so the perk of Northwest Airlines offering jet service is a welcomed one for the airport’s travelers, of which there were 170,000 in 2007.

Northwest to Add Jet Service:
Effective August 19, Northwest Airlines is pleased to introduce jet service from Ithaca to Detroit. The first daily departure and last daily arrival will upgrade to a Regional Jet, CRJ200, operated by Northwest Airlines Airlink partner, Pinnacle Airlines,” said Kristin Baur from Corporate Communications at Northwest Airlines.

“Northwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam. Northwest, with its regional partners, operate approximately 2,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world’s most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 1,000 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents,” Baur concluded. (Northwest Airlines Corporate Communications 612 726 8801 – Office.)

Continental Airlines to Add Four Daily Non-stop Flights from Ithaca Newark, NJ:
Joel Raymond, Vice President of Marketing and Route Planning for Commutair has confirmed that Continental Airline will be coming into ITH in October with 4 roundtrip flights a day as Continental Connection (using 37-seat Dash 8s).

For more information about this new addition of Regional jet service to the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, please contact Corporate Communications at 713-324-5080

For more information on the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, contact Robert A. Nicholas A.A.E, Airport Manager at 607-257-0456 x543 or Michelle C. Berry, marketing consultant to ITH at 888-250-8812.

View more posts