American Airlines Suspends Service at Stewart Airport, Threatens Hudson Valley Travel Industry

The fallout from COVID-19 on the travel industry threatens to isolate Hudson Valley from air passengers for the near future.

Source: "Stewart Airport - Newburgh, New York" by Dougtone.

American Airlines announced its plan to suspend flights to Stewart International Airport (SWF) in New Windsor, New York, starting in October. Stewart serves the larger majority of the Hudson Valley, and this decision allows for only one airline to fly commercial flights. The new service schedule will begin on Oct. 7 and continue until Nov. 3, pending further suspension. The adjustments could threaten economic tourism for the area. 

“Stewart International Airport helps drive our local economy here in the Hudson Valley, and any limitation or suspension of service is deeply concerning,” Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said. In late August, American Airlines released its plan to suspend service to 14 other small market airports in addition to Stewart. 

In March, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed, providing multi-billion dollar grants for U.S. airlines. The Act aimed to stimulate businesses across the country, including the airline industry, which experts predicted could go bankrupt without government intervention. 

This gave airlines access to over $50 billion in grants and loans, which will last through September 2020. Congress has been debating another relief bill, but no concrete plans have been established. 

Stewart Airport serves Orange County, New York, and the greater Hudson Valley, directing traffic away from the three major New York City area airports. American Airlines flies one route from SWF to Philadelphia, which runs twice a day, five times a week under the current schedule. 

In October, Stewart Airport will only fly commercial flights four times a week, with no day scheduled to have more than two flights. Other airlines such as JetBlue, Delta, and Allegiant Air provide service to Stewart. JetBlue flies to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; Delta connects to their hub in Detroit, Michigan. Each route has experienced a suspension or cuts in service since the pandemic began. 

As a whole, the airline and travel industry suffered immensely from the coronavirus’s economic fallout. In 2019, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported an average of 2.42 million passengers in airports from March to September. In contrast, 2020 had a 77% decrease, as they recorded only 564,000 travelers. 

Stewart Airport had low service levels and travelers before the coronavirus outbreak in early March, creating a difficult obstacle to draw in consumers with the October adjustments. Last summer, Norweigan Airlines canceled a flight that connected the Hudson Valley to Dublin, Ireland. The cancelations prompted the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to pursue “an aggressive new strategy” to bring Stewart traffic. Suspensions of service will force travelers in the Hudson Valley to use the New York City area airports of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

“This inaction is causing undeniable, long-term damage to vital industries, and the Hudson Valley. The political games must end - the success of our recovery is at risk,” Maloney said.