Washington, D.C. –
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today met with Delta Airlines CEO
Richard Anderson to discuss protecting the 7,500 New York jobs Delta
provides and ensuring air travel access across New York State,
especially during difficult economic times.
“My
number one priority is to protect and create good-paying jobs in New
York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “More than 7,500 New Yorkers go to
work each day for Delta and I plan to do all I can to make sure those
jobs stay in our state.”
Over
the last several weeks, Senator Gillibrand has been traveling across
New York State and the number one issue she has heard about is jobs.
In order to create jobs and grow the economy over the long-term,
businesses need adequate access to air travel in every corner of the
state.
“We
cannot turn this economy around if we do not provide businesses in
every corner of New York with adequate access to air travel,” Senator
Gillibrand added. “I look forward to working with Delta Airlines to
find ways to ensure critical access and grow New York’s economy.”
Last
week, the Obama Administration included an additional $55 million for
Essential Air Service to a number of communities across Upstate New
York, including Jamestown, Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac
Lake, Lake Placid, and Watertown. Senator Gillibrand will work to
ensure that this increased funding be used to ensure that these
airports remain operational so that we can continue to expand access to
air travel and grow the economy over the long term. The funding will go
to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which supports commercial
air service to underserved rural communities across New York and the
country.