Washington, DC - U.S. Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY), and Eric Massa (D-NY) today urged U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to approve a deal between U.S. Airways and Delta Airlines that would enable U.S. Airways to begin non-stop air service between Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and Reagan Washington National Airport.  

Below is the text of the letter Hinchey, Arcuri, and Massa sent to LaHood, urging him to approve the agreement:

                                                        October 5, 2009
The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary of Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC  20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:

Recently, US Airways and Delta Airlines announced an agreement to exchange slots at both Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).  We write to express our support for this slot transaction, as it will provide important benefits to the congressional districts that we represent in upstate New York.

US Airways has announced that upon consummation of this agreement and in accepting 42 slots from Delta Airlines at DCA, it will provide nonstop service from Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to DCA. This would be an incredibly beneficial development for our districts. We have long sought nonstop service to our nation’s capital from our region, which will provide businesses, schools, individuals and other organizations needed access to government entities and other resources located in the Washington, DC area.

This access will create new economic and educational opportunities and we applaud this innovative and important use of the slots at DCA.  We hope you will act quickly to approve this agreement. Thank you for your consideration.

                                                               Sincerely,

                                Maurice D. Hinchey, Michael A. Arcuri, Eric J.J. Massa