WASHINGTON — Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday that he has helped pave the way for a longer runway at Watertown International Airport, securing a promise from Delta Airlines to consider serving the airport if the runway is built.
The promise, from Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson, could help break a logjam in Jefferson County's effort to expand the airport, which it owns, in response to growth at Fort Drum.
County officials have expressed interest in expanding the runway from 5,000 feet to 7,000 feet, which is long enough to accommodate the 70-passenger planes airlines use on regional routes. But the Federal Aviation Administration is hesitant to help fund such a project unless airlines are interested in flying there.
Delta, in turn, has shown little interest without an FAA commitment to expand the runway.
Mr. Schumer's office said he helped coax Mr. Anderson into making a written statement regarding the Watertown airport, which the senator said is a "vital first step" toward making the project reality. The senator and Mr. Anderson met last week.
If the FAA commits to the expansion, federal funds could pay for 95 percent of the project, Mr. Schumer's office reported.
"In my meeting with CEO Anderson last week, I secured a promise from him to express in writing his interest in bringing Delta to the Watertown Airport in the future," Mr. Schumer said. "With a Fort Drum community that keeps getting bigger, we've continued to see a demand for increased air service, which is a terrific sign for the entire region.
Mr. Schumer met with Mr. Anderson as Delta and Northwest Airlines prepare to merge, which could affect air travel throughout upstate New York. The senator said he wanted to ensure the new airline maintains service and preserves about 4,500 Delta and Northwest jobs in the state.
The senator's office reported the FAA is willing to pay to expand the runway to 6,000 feet, but that is not enough to meet the airline's needs to land fully loaded regional jets.
Other airport projects, including an improved terminal and renovated hangar, were already planned or in progress, partly in connection with Big Sky Airlines' plan to expand to Watertown. Big Sky collapsed in December, leaving the airport without a carrier since Jan. 7.
Cape Air of Hyannis, Mass., is due to begin service to Watertown in September.
