Continental Airlines reverses course, will keep Ithaca flights

— -- Daily service to Newark will remain in place as Continental Airlines announced Tuesday it would withdraw plans to end its daily round-trip flights to the hub airport from Ithaca.

Dozens of business leaders and officials gathered at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon to hear the good news, delivered by U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., who flew in for the occasion.

He said his personal lobbying, coupled with the efforts of local business leaders, convinced Continental to reinstate three out of the four daily round-trip Continental Connection flights operated by CommutAir.

"We are happy today to talk about a little success story that's taking place here in Tompkins County," Schumer said. "Our local residents and business leaders aren't going to have to worry anymore, because the decision has been largely reversed."

Officials at Continental blamed congestion at the New York City airports, which they said made it difficult to operate efficiently from their hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Schumer, in turn, blamed the prior administration of the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for exacerbating the problem, and assured Continental CEO Larry Kellner that new leadership at both agencies and emerging air traffic control technology should lead to decreased air congestion and more profitable flights.

He also cited a rising demand for travel from Ithaca, even as the industry weakened elsewhere. Between February 2008 and January 2009, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport experienced a 6.3% increase in both arriving and departing passengers, he said. Ridership on the Newark flights rose to 2,705 in April.

"That kind of result, it shows that this is a lucrative market," Schumer said. "If we can fix congestion, why cancel a service that you really want to maintain?"

Kellner confirmed the decision in a statement Tuesday, saying: "We are delighted to work with Senator Schumer and the community to continue our flights between Ithaca and New York. We appreciate the support of travelers in Ithaca and the surrounding region."