By John T. Ryan
A new era in local aviation began at 2:25 PM on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 when Flight 5006 touched down at Plattsburgh International Airport. United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines replaces PennAir that provided service to and from Boston for the past six years. Ironically, the first United Express aircraft arriving in Plattsburgh was a Canadair model CJR 200. Most CJR 200s were manufactured in Plattsburgh’s primary market – Montreal, PQ, Canada.
United Airlines Regional Sales Manager Bare Angleos was present to welcome the first flight. He said, “United is offering our customers in the Plattsburgh area more choice in their travels. A short flight from Plattsburgh to our Washington Dulles hub will not only give direct access to our nation’s capital, but more than 70 domestic and nearly 40 international destinations in Asia, Europe and Latin America.” Flight time is 1 hour, 40 minutes to 1 hour 52 minutes. Drive time to Washington D.C. is 9 to 10 hours assuming no delays.
United Express is offering two daily weekday departures and arrivals. Monday through Friday flights depart Plattsburgh at 9:30 a.m. and 3:38 p.m. and arrive at Dulles at 11:22 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday one flight daily departs Plattsburgh at 9:30 a.m.
Monday through Friday flights depart Dulles at 1 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. arriving in Plattsburgh at 2:40 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. On Saturday and Sundays flights depart Dulles at 6:05 p.m. arriving in Plattsburgh at 7:45 p.m.
Beverly Thwaits of Clintonville boarded the first flight. She and a friend were connecting to a flight to California at Dulles. She commented, “It’s great to have United Express here. I think the whole airport being here is just great.” Thwaits and her friend will return to Plattsburgh in six days.
Plattsburgh native and SUNY Plattsburgh student Aidan Vogel concurred with Thwaits. He was on his way to visit a friend in Washington, D.C. Shelly Wood of Saranac Lake, accompanied by her daughter Emma was on her way to visit her son Ethan, a sophomore at the University of Maryland in College Park. She commented, “This is much better than flying out of Albany. It’s an hour closer to Saranac Lake.” Wood expects Ethan will fly to Plattsburgh during school breaks rather than flying into Albany. She paid $396 for the total one-way fare for herself and Emma.
Assemblyman Billy Jones, Garry Douglas, Bare Angleous of United Airlines, Harry McManus, Bobby Hall
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, Clinton County Legislature Chairman Harry McManus, Airport Chairman Bobby Hall and New York State Assemblyman Billy Jones were the main speakers at the welcoming ceremony. Many other county legislators and local officials were also present.
In his remarks Garry Douglas said he expects both Canadian and regional travelers to fly in and out of Plattsburgh. He predicted business travelers, Lake Placid visitors, people traveling to and from SUNY Plattsburgh, Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University will welcome the service.
In the final analysis United Express’s success may depend on its acceptance by Canadian travelers. The vast majority of the airport’s current customers reside in Canada utilizing the low cost Penn Air, Spirit and Allegiant service and the airport’s very low parking fees. Douglas is confident that they’ll utilize United Express. He sees Plattsburgh as the secondary airport that Montreal doesn’t have.
