American was Stewart's first commercial airline

POUGHKEEPSIE – The economy may still be in a recession with one of the effects being a decline in airline travel – even at the Big Three New York Airports, but the Port Authority says it is as committed as ever to grow Stewart Airport.

Port Aviation Director William DeCota told members of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce in Poughkeepsie Wednesday that they still want Stewart to grow as a transportation hub, but also as a jobs and economic generator.

DeCota said while there are only a handful of airlines left at Stewart – JetBlue, US Airways, Delta and Northwest, they are actively recruiting new ones.

“There is definitely promise because of where people to places like San Francisco and LA; there’s definitely promise to, perhaps, do some low-fare European service,” he said. DeCota and Stewart Manager Diannae Ehler have already met with top officials from Lufthansa and British Airways.

DeCota said the focus of new air service will be those markets served at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia that are high volume for Hudson Valley residents.

That would include Las Vegas.

DeCota is also lobbying for American Airlines to bring service back.  American was the first airline to begin serving Stewart in April 1990.