By JIMMY LAWTON
North Country Now

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg airport hopes to offer flights to Chicago and Washington D.C., but only if Massena chooses the same carrier.

Following a recommendation from Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Director Wade Davis, council supported a bid from to make SkyWest Airlines the Essential Air Service carrier.

Davis said SkyWest would offer 12 flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Dulles International Airport using 50-passenger CRJ200 jets, manufactured by Bombardier. According to Davis, the average flight is expected to take two hours and cost around $101 per passenger.

But according to the bid from SkyWest, the proposal is contingent on being accepted as Massena’s Essential Air Service provider as well.

“SkyWest’s bid for both Massena, NY and Ogdensburg, NY are inseparably connected. SkyWest’s bid is contingent on being selected for both markets,” the proposal from the airline says.

Davis said Cape Air, Boutique Air and Silver Airways also submitted bids. However, SkyWest’s bid was the lowest and also provided flights to major hubs.

Davis said he expected a bid like this down the road, but was pleased that Ogdensburg Airport received this opportunity so soon.

Currently the EAS subsidy in Ogdensburg goes to Cape Air, which offers flights to Albany and Boston. Those flights hold only nine passengers. That contract is set to expire March 32, 2019. If SkyWest is awarded the contract Ogdensburg would not likely offer flights to Boston or Albany, but flights from Allegiant Air to Florida would continue.

In Massena Boutique Air offers flights to Boston. However in their bid for the next round of EAS funding Boutique says it would also include flights to Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Davis said Cape Air is great company but added that SkyWest’s offerings could bring 30,000 people into the air, according to the airlines estimates.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson, who often uses the Albany flight, offered her support for SkyWest. She said the nine-passenger flights are nice, but are often full and hard to get. She said those smaller aircraft are also grounded for weather issues more frequently. She said the larger jets would likely make passengers more comfortable.

Davis noted that full flights are a good problem to have, but said the nine-passenger restriction hinders growth.

Councilors Dan Skamperle and Nicole Kennedy initially raised concerns regarding affordability, but were pleased with the $101 price point.

It is unclear which option Ogdensburg will go with should Massena choose another airline.

Massena Town Supervisor Steve O'Shaughnessy did not immidiately return a request for comment.