Delta’s return to Stewart Airport in Newburgh produced this newsbrief on Today in the Sky.
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In response to Delta’s plans to expand to New York’s Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson offered this response: “We apparently do the route planning and scheduling for two airlines — AirTran Airways and Delta Air Lines. It’s a compliment that Delta thinks so highly of everything AirTran Airways does that they attempt to copy it. In the final analysis, it will just be another money losing route for Delta.”
Amusing, yet not entirely accurate. Delta’s reputation gives it a market share. However…it was there two years ago, and terminated its service. Officials at Stewart are concerned about what other communities have been concerned about in the past. Delta will match Airtran’s prices and ultimately run the airline out of town…then raise prices, or ultimately leave themselves. In order to preserve competition, people will have to support Airtran.
Travel between Stewart and Atlanta will be operated by ASA using 50-seater jets three times daily.
