For Information Contact:

Ralph J. Eannace, Jr
798-5800

UTICA -- Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr., today announced that effective Monday, April 23, Continental Connection will begin non-stop twice-daily air service from Oneida County Airport to New York City's JFK International Airport.

"We are taking a major step forward with air service that will allow our domestic and overseas travelers to have convenient, affordable flights to New York City," Eannace said. "We have been committed to improving our air service, and this announcement is the result of our efforts in cooperation with our federal legislators and the U.S. Department of Transportation."

Continental Connection, which is operated by CommutAir, will begin service with the following schedule, effective seven days a week:

Leave Oneida County at 5:45 a.m., arrive at JFK at 6:55 a.m.

Leave Oneida County at 2:45 p.m., arrive at JFK at 3:55 p.m.

ARRIVALS:

Leave JFK at 1:20 p.m., arrive at Oneida County at 2:25 p.m.

Leave JFK at 7:20 p.m., arrive at Oneida County at 8:35 p.m.

Joel T. Raymond, Director of Route Scheduling and Marketing for CommutAir, which operates Continental Connection, said CommutAir wants to shift the evening flight to an earlier time, and will be seeking to do that in the coming weeks.

Continental Connection's walk-up refundable one-way fare will be $110 plus taxes, Raymond said. "That's our walk-up fare, no gimmicks, just buy a ticket and ride."

Eannace said the walk-up fare offers Oneida County Airport customers significant savings of about $100 over similar fares from other upstate airports such as Syracuse or Albany.

"The advance fare will also be very competitive," Eannace said. "We think Continental Connection's rates are easily better than those at other airports that have been used by our local traveling public. I hope our travelers will call their travel agents and see how much they can save by flying out of Oneida County."

"Continental Connection is giving our Oneida County travelers a great value and a great schedule," he said. "This schedule is the product of a lot of work between the airline and Oneida County, but it could not occur without the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Essential Air Service Program."

"CommutAir is pleased to offer this service to the Oneida County Airport and the Utica-Rome area," Raymond said. "We are glad to be provided an affordable and quality product that is what Utica-Rome deserves. The Essential Air Service program makes this possible. The continued support for Essential Air Service from Congressman Boehlert, Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton will help us continue to give this region the air service it truly deserves."

Eannace also praised the efforts of Congressman Boehlert, Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton to address Oneida County's air service needs. "We have been fortunate that we have a team in Washington that is working diligently on our behalf," he said. "This progress was achieved because of cooperation."