A Breeze Airway jet unloads at the Ogdensburg International Airport. NCNow photo.

BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Air service between Ogdensburg and Washington, D.C., will come to an end in September as Breeze Airways transitions to a new three-year Essential Air Service  (EAS) contract that will provide daily flights between Ogdensburg International Airport and Raleigh-Durham beginning in October.

OBPA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Adamczyk announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved Breeze's renewal under the federal Essential Air Service program.

"The U.S. DOT has approved the renewal for their EAS contract," Adamczyk told the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority board. "That'll be for a three-year term starting in October with a daily flight to Raleigh-Durham."

In response to a question from Board Chairman Sam Burns, Adamczyk confirmed the airline's Washington route will continue only through September.

Airport traffic continues to show strong growth, with Breeze's service.

Adamczyk reported 14,791 enplanements so far this year and roughly 30,000 total passengers arriving and departing through the airport.

"As you can see, we haven't seen those numbers in quite some time," he said, adding that "Breeze is performing tremendously well."

Officials said they are also beginning to see more steady use, rather than seasonal spikes, which they said was a good sign.

Burns also praised Breeze employees for their customer service, recounting his daughter's recent trip from Ogdensburg through Raleigh-Durham with connecting flights to Orlando and New Orleans.

"The ticketing people took 20 minutes out of their time to straighten out everything for her," Burns said. "The Breeze people here are just excellent."

Adamczyk said recent flights have routinely carried more than 100 passengers boarding and deplaning, reflecting the growing popularity of the Raleigh-Durham service and its connecting flight options.

The board also received an update on airport outreach efforts. Airport staff hosted a kindergarten career day tour during June and said schools in Potsdam have already expressed interest in participating next year. Officials also reported positive feedback following a regional tourism dinner held at the airport, including interest in the airport's digital advertising opportunities.

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