Brown Announces Direct Flights From Dayton International Airport To New York LaGuardia Airport
Success Stems from Brown’s Work With Dayton Community Leaders and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Reinstate Direct Flights Between Dayton International Airport to New York LaGuardia Airport
DAYTON, OH – Following months of negotiations with local business leaders and the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that the Dayton International Airport (DAY) will again provide two direct daily flights to and from New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) beginning January 4, 2013.
“Direct flights from Dayton to LaGuardia Airport mean less travel time and more economic development for the Miami Valley,” Brown said. “This is great news for the Dayton-area business community – and can help local businesses expand and hire new workers.”
“For the past six months, more than 100 passengers a day have been impacted by the lack of convenient and reliable service to LGA,” said Terrence Slaybaugh, director of aviation at Dayton International Airport. “I am certain that I can speak for these passengers in thanking Delta for recognizing and resolving this issue. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Senator Sherrod Brown for his continual support as we worked together to share our message with Delta Airlines.”
Following news that Delta planned to halt service from Dayton to LaGuardia, Brown urged the Administration to restore direct service between DAY and New York LaGuardia Airport.
In a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Sec. Ray LaHood, Brown said that eliminating Dayton’s current direct flights to LaGuardia puts the Dayton business community at a disadvantage compared to cities that have direct access to New York’s business center.
Delta cancelled direct flights from Dayton to LaGuardia after the DOT, in October 2011, approved a slot swap at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), allowing Delta to expand service into LGA and U.S. Airways to expand service into DCA. Before DOT approved the deal, both airlines guaranteed that their existing service in mid-sized cities, like Dayton, would not be negatively affected. Even though DAY’s three daily flights to LaGuardia were 74 percent full, Delta announced plans to eliminate direct service from DAY to LGA. Delta instead decided to direct Miami Valley business travelers to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), a less convenient commute for business travelers.
Full text of the letter is below.
February 15, 2012
The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood:
It is my understanding that late last year the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration approved a transfer of departure and arrival slots between US Airways and Delta Airlines at Reagan National Airport and LaGuardia National Airport. This waiver was granted by DOT with the understanding and belief that the proposal would, according to an October 3 notice in the Federal Register, “expand competition and capacity, and preserve and enhance small community access at both LGA and DCA.”
Yet, it has recently come to my attention that later this year the James A. Cox International Airport in Dayton, Ohio will lose direct flight service to LaGuardia; instead flyers from Dayton will be redirected to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. I would ask that in the spirit of the waiver request granted to the airlines, that you work with all stakeholders to ensure that the Dayton Airport maintains a direct flight to LaGuardia.
Currently, US Airways provides three daily flights to LaGuardia that are, on average, 74% full. Without this service to LaGuardia, Dayton companies and businesses stand at a distinct disadvantage as it will be harder to reach the central business district in New York City. As you well know, limiting non-stop flights hampers economic growth and could significantly damage the Dayton business community’s competitiveness with other cities that have direct access to this international business hub.
The last decade has proven difficult for commercial aviation, yet we must continue to work to ensure that consumers and businesses have access to flights that promote regional economic growth. DOT approved this deal because of assurances that existing service would be enhanced, not eliminated. The Dayton community believes that their access to New York City has been hindered. DOT must hold the airlines to their word – service should be enhanced not eliminated. I appreciate your attention to this critical issue to the Dayton community and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator
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