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October 3, 2007

Delta announces Big Sky flight schedules

Big Sky service to connect with Delta daily, weekends

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- Big Sky Airlines will start offering service between Boston's Logan International Airport and two North Country airports on Oct. 31.

On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines released the schedule of Delta Connection flights to and from Plattsburgh International Airport and Adirondack Regional Airport by Big Sky.

There will be three flights each way on weekdays, two flights on Sundays and one flight on Saturdays.

In a Delta press release, Big Sky President Fred deLeeuw said: "Big Sky is excited to continue its expansion in the Northeast as part of the Delta Connection family. As we grow with Delta, we reaffirm our commitment to providing customers with the same safe, reliable service Big Sky has been known for over its 29 years of operation."

At Logan, travelers can connect with up to 124 daily Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights to 38 non-stop destinations. Delta is also a member of the Sky Team global alliance, which allows its customers non-stop flights to Europe on Air France and Alitalia.

The schedule is a good one, deLeeuw said, as it allows travelers to easily make connections. One-way fares to Boston start at $109, he said.

"As Boston's largest carrier in terms of flights and destinations, Delta is pleased to continue expanding the choices offered to our customers by launching this service between Boston, Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh," said David Bishko, Delta's staff vice president of alliances.

Tickets are now available for the flights at Delta.com and through other ticketing services, deLeeuw said. A direct link is available at the Plattsburgh International Airport Web site: www.flyplattsburgh.com.

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said Delta was targeted because of the success of its Big Sky service in Bellingham, Wash.

"We met with Delta in Sen. (Charles) Schumer's Washington office in December, leading to a site visit by Big Sky in January and now the start of what we hope may be additional Delta services in the years to come."

Big Sky was approved to provide Essential Air Service to the two airports by the U.S. Department of Transportation last month. The airline will receive a subsidy of $2.4 million to provide that service.

Big Sky will use 19-seat Beechcraft 1900D Aircraft for the flights, the same type of plane CommutAir uses for its Continental Connection flights under the Essential Air Service contract that Big Sky is taking over.

The last Continental Connection flights by CommutAir from Plattsburgh International and Adirondack Regional will be on Oct. 30. The transition negotiations between CommutAir and Big Sky went very smoothly, deLeeuw said.

"We have a very good working relationship with CommutAir."

Several CommutAir employees will be joining the Big Sky team, deLeeuw said.

Through Big Sky, Delta will be able to offer the same fares it gives passengers who fly from Burlington, he said. Because of that pricing and the vast increase in connection possibilities, "this should become an attractive option for both business and personal flying," Douglas said.

Big Sky started service from Ogdensburg, Massena and Watertown in April, deLeeuw said.

The number of passengers from Watertown has doubled compared to the previous carrier, Mesa Airlines, which offered U.S. Air Express connections, he said.

The airline had some issues with delays at those airports as it started to offer service, which have since been resolved, deLeeuw said.

"We had some startup issues, including getting used to working with the Delta system. We came up, met with the community leaders and got it fixed."

He doesn't see any similar issues as service starts up in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake.

Clinton County Legislature Chairman Jimmy Langley said Big Sky is a integral piece to the county's plan to expand air-service options.

"Big Sky, operating as Delta Connection, coupled with a simplified and equalized fare structure, will without a doubt significantly enhance passenger service out of Plattsburgh, a dynamic this community eagerly awaits," he said.

"This is more great news for Plattsburgh International Airport."

The schedule announcement follows the news that Allegiant Air will begin service between Plattsburgh and Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 16.

The county is still awaiting word on Myrtle Beach International Airport's efforts to secure a $625,000 grant that would allow Myrtle Beach Direct to offer flights to that airport from Plattsburgh, Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago.

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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