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November 1, 2007

Big Sky Airlines makes first flight from Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake

Big Sky flights begin with 3 passengers but air of high promise

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- Up, up and away.

Big Sky Airlines had a smooth arrival and departure as it launched its Delta Connection air service between Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake and Boston Wednesday morning.

Big Sky President Fred deLeeuw was on hand to see the first flight off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony near the Plattsburgh International Airport ticket counter.

"I'd like to thank Sens. Schumer and Clinton and Congressman McHugh for all their hard work in getting us involved in Plattsburgh," deLeeuw said.

He said Big Sky will offer fares that are the equivalent of those offered at Burlington International Airport, with the added benefit of free parking.

"Parking will draw fares here from across the lake," deLeeuw said.

Although only three passengers boarded at Plattsburgh for the first flight, he said future bookings are going well. The airline will offer three flights each way on weekdays, two flights on Sundays and one flight on Saturdays.

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said the first three passengers were all from Quebec. That includes one man who drove from Quebec City just for the free parking available at Plattsburgh International Airport, he said, as the traveler told him he was going to be gone for six weeks.

"He said, Do you know how much it would cost me to park at Dorval (airport) for six weeks?'" Douglas said.

He said Delta was one of the first airlines targeted to provide service from the new airport because of the number of connections it provides at Boston and its success at Bellingham International Airport in Washington. That airport's proximity to Seattle and Vancouver made it a model for Plattsburgh and its proximity to Montreal, Douglas said.

DeLeeuw had previously said the airline wasn't going to target a Canadian passenger base.

"Until you are here, you don't realize how close you are to Montreal and its huge market," he said.

Douglas said the initial and subsequent flights were a testament to the vision and commitment of the Clinton County Legislature.

"This is their success story," he said.

Clinton County Legislature Chair Jimmy Langley then introduced deLeeuw.

"We don't only expect you will be successful, we know you will be," he said.

Later, Langley said the important thing is that the Delta Connection flights are here.

"If people want to see more flights, they have to use it," he said.

Langley said Wednesday's flights are just the beginning, as Allegiant Air is scheduled to make its initial flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 16.

He said that airline would announce an additional Florida destination a couple of weeks after that, and noted the county recently striped out 320 spaces for long-term parking at the airport.

"We didn't do that just for fun," Langley said.

Robert Heins, chair of the Clinton County Legislature's Airport Committee, said this is the start of Plattsburgh becoming an international airport. It eliminates the need to get up in the middle of the night, ride the ferry and pay for parking at Burlington International, he said.

Heins said the Big Sky flights pull up to a Delta gate at Logan International Airport in Boston. By contrast, Continental Connection flights used to arrive at a sub-gate, which necessitated a transfer by bus to the departure gate for a connecting flight.

"That's a big plus a lot of people don't realize," he said.

The new service is a big boon for business travelers, who can now connect with more than 140 Delta flights daily to 40 cities in the United States and Europe.

"This establishes an efficient, easy way to get around the country, around the world," Heins said.

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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