Chautauqua County officials have been notified by the federal government that it will not be re-establishing Essential Air Service program funding for the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport.

On Tuesday, county officials announced the latest development in trying to re-establish commercial air service at the Jamestown airport.

The U.S Department of Transportation assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs cited the underwhelming performance record of commercial air carriers to the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport in recent years and the availability of commercial air service alternatives at public airports in Buffalo and Erie, Pa.

In its order rejecting the proposed route between Jamestown and Pittsburgh International Airport, the U.S. DOT did not foreclose other commercial air service options and expressly left the docket open for future action.

County and city leaders have been actively engaged in dialogue with airline and commercial aviation advocacy groups to consider alternate approaches and other options for restoration of passenger service to the Jamestown regional airport.

County officials last year had announced possibly working with Boutique Air, a commuter airline based in San Francisco, Calif, to re-establish commercial air service at the airport. In May 2018, it was announced that Boutique Airways had submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide air service to the Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport under the EAS program, which provides essential funding for small airports.

In January 2018, the U.S. DOT terminated the EAS agreement locally due to a lack of passengers. Shortly after, Southern Airways left the Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport because of the EAS funding cut.

The EAS program, which requires 10 passengers to fly each day, began after the deregulation of the airline industry in 1978. The program helps subsidize flights to smaller markets, such as Jamestown.

Southern Airways passenger counts fell to an average of four per day, far fewer than the requirement of 10. The county airport also had trouble meeting the EAS program requirement that subsidies be less than $200 per passenger, with subsidy-per-passenger numbers of $630, which ranked among the highest in the nation before the contract was terminated.

According to Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, had a conference call with EAS program officials about a new, revised application being submitted as soon as possible.

“Thanks to Congressman Reed’s direct engagement with DOT, we have received actionable feedback on how we may adjust and improve our application,” Borrello said. “That combined with further advocacy and continued bi-partisan support from our federal representatives, should increase the possibility of approval in the future.”

Reed said he is disappointed by the U.S. DOT’s decision.

“However, the fight is not over, and we will continue to work together as a team to bring commercial air back to Jamestown,” he said.

In addition, county officials said Boutique Air remains committed to the effort of developing routes that are economically viable under the EAS program and has signaled its intention to redouble its efforts, in collaboration with local business and community leaders, to put Jamestown back on the commercial air service map.

“With our recent route expansion into Pittsburgh, Pa., Jamestown makes even more sense now for Boutique Airlines,” said Shawn Simpson, Boutique Airlines president and CEO. “Further, our partnerships with United and American Airlines give us an unprecedented level of service and convenience not seen before in Jamestown, or the southern tier of New York.”

Returning EAS funding to the Jamestown airport has been a bipartisan effort as well. In October, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., stated in a news release their support of the EAS program, which supports commercial air service at small airports by ensuring they have regularly scheduled commercial flights to large or medium-hub airports, linking passengers to the National Air Transportation System.

“Ensuring that all Upstate airports have the resources they need to thrive is crucial to safe travel for residents and visitors and attracting business, which is why I fought so hard to preserve the Essential Air Service and Airport Improvement Programs in the FAA Reauthorization bill,” Schumer said. “These two critical programs provide grant funding to make necessary infrastructure upgrades and to support commercial air service at regional airports serving small communities. I was proud to fight for authorizations for these programs, and will fight to keep them fully funded through the appropriations process.”