Welcome Skywest

Published: Friday, March 8 in the Watertown Daily Times

By Larry Robinson

OGDENSBURG — Officials with SkyWest Airlines have released the company’s daily flight schedule to and from Ogdensburg International Airport beginning the first week of May. The company will begin United Express jet service between Ogdensburg and Chicago-O’Hare and Washington-Dulles international airports on May 3, officials said in a news release issued Thursday.

Flights from Ogdensburg will depart daily at 9:30 a.m. for Washington-Dulles, with an arrival time of 11:08 a.m. Likewise, daily flights from Dulles will depart that airport at 12:30 p.m. and return to Ogdensburg at 2:05 p.m.

On Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, flights will depart from Ogdensburg for Chicago-O’Hare at 2:35 p.m. with an arrival time of 4:05 p.m. SkyWest officials say the flights from Ogdensburg are timed to provide maximum connection opportunities in Chicago and Washington, D.C., for both business and leisure travelers.

In a statement, SkyWest Airlines Managing Director of Market Development Greg Atkin said it is his company’s hope that north country passengers will enjoy traveling on the larger 50-passenger jets that will be servicing the region, as well as the convenience of connecting to two of the busiest transportation hubs in the United States.

“These new flights make it easier than ever for Ogdensburg travelers to access the globe through two of United Airlines’ largest hubs,” Mr. Atkins said. “Passengers on these new United Express flights to the ‘Windy City’ and our nation’s capital will appreciate the increased number of available seats, full-size cabin and seamless travel process from the minute they check in.”

The airline will be servicing Ogdensburg with CRJ200 jets manufactured by Canada’s Bombardier company.

“SkyWest is a leading CRJ200 operator and has been named the manufacturer’s most reliable operator in North America five times,” the company press released said.

In February, the U.S. Department of Transportation selected SkyWest Airlines as the region’s new Essential Air Service provider at Ogdensburg and Massena international airports, but the company later abandoned its Massena plan after determining the airport runway in that community did not meet Federal Aviation Administration standards.

As a result, the smaller regional carrier Boutique Air will service Massena.

However, SkyWest will continue to service Ogdensburg over the next three years at an annual federal subsidy rate of approximately $3 million.

Passengers interested in flying from Ogdensburg can book flights now at united.com or by calling United Airlines reservations at 1-800-846-8331

The flight schedule in Ogdensburg begins May 3 and is as follows:

Passengers interested in flying from Ogdensburg can book flights now at united.com or by calling United Airlines reservations at 1-800-846-8331