Schumer: deal between Delta and US Airways could mean better flights out of Syracuse
Story Created:
Jul 5, 2011 at 5:01 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 5, 2011 at 6:02 PM EDT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WKTV) - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says flights from Syracuse's Hancock International Airport could get cheaper, faster, and more comfortable to New York City, if federal officials approve a deal between Delta and US Airlines.
The two major flight companies are talking about "swapping gates" at New York's Laguardia Airport and Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C. The swap would mean Delta would get more space to fly planes in and out of at Laguardia, while US Airways would get more space at Reagan.
The deal would mean Delta would provide more flights from Syracuse on bigger jets, rather than the single engine prop planes that fly between the Big Apple and Syracuse, Schumer said.
"It is good for business, it is good for tourists, it is good for Hancock, it is good for our business community here in Syracuse," said Schumer at Hancock International Airport on Tuesday.
According to Schumer, if the deal goes through, he would push U.S. Airways for the same type of non-stop upgraded flights from Syracuse to Washington D.C. as the upgrades Delta would provide to New York.
More flights means more competition, said Schumer.
"There is no guarantee, but I would be optimistic that if this happens, prices to the New York City market would have a leveling affect instead of a going up affect where it is everywhere else," the Senator said.
Schumer says the deal still needs to be approved by the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation, two agencies that he says he will be pushing over the next couple of months.
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