Mayor Eddie Sundquist believes the return of the Essential Air Service could have significant economic benefits for Jamestown. During a recent trip to Washington D.C., Sundquist discussed the return of the air service with federal representatives. Pictured is a plane receiving fuel during a stop at the Jamestown Airport. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist is hoping Essential Air Service will return to the south county, providing an alternative form of transportation for local residents and tourists.

Sundquist said he had a “great discussion” with U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during his recent trip to Washington, D.C., regarding the “importance” of Essential Air Service at Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport for both local residents and potential visitors and tourists to the Jamestown region.

“The city lost its Essential Air Service quite some time ago, but the airport, especially under a new manager, has done some really incredible things and is setting itself up for the potential to be an incredible service for our residents and for our visitors,” he said. “Now, in order to have a thriving economy, you need to have rail and you need to have air.”

Sundquist told The Post-Journal that both Schumer and Langworthy were “very positive” about trying to bring back Essential Air Service to the airport. He explained that the city has also had discussions with the federal Department of Transportation to determine what would be required for the Essential Air Service program to return. Sundquist said he hopes to continue discussions with the Department of Transportation in order to make the issue a “priority” over the next year.

The Essential Air Service is something that Sundquist believes would have an “incredible impact” on the nearby community. He said the city’s residents “deserve” to be able to travel by plane without having to travel “an hour or more” to Buffalo, Cleveland or Bradford, Pa.

“We’ve had Essential Air Service,” he said. “We’ve seen the power of it. What’s interesting here is that the airline market is changing tremendously, especially with the adoption of electric airplanes and shorter routes, so it puts Jamestown in a great position for future service. More importantly, it’s an economic driver. Having an airport in your community is an economic driver, whether that’s for tourism or whether that’s just to move people in and out.”

According to Sundquist, Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport already sees a “lot of use” with private flights. With the addition of commercial flights, Sundquist believes the region would be able to increase its ability to “bring more things” to the Jamestown area that could help stimulate the economy.

Before the Essential Air Service can return, Sundquist said the city will need to have “further conversations” with the Department of Transportation. He also said the airport manager is proposing a study be conducted regarding the potential return of the Essential Air Service.

While Sundquist is optimistic regarding the potential for the Essential Air Service to return to Jamestown, he emphasized the importance of working with federal representatives throughout the process, especially since he said the Department of Transportation has “never” restored a community’s Essential Air Service once it has been lost.

Sundquist added that the “last step” would be working with potential airlines that would be willing to consider the Jamestown Airport and the city of Jamestown as a “serviceable route.”