County signs pledge for United Airlines revenue guarantee to support new Ithaca flights; local partners commit funds

The Tompkins County Legislature on July 15 approved a pledge to participate in a minimum revenue guarantee arrangement to support expanded United Airlines service at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. The motion carried unanimously.

The pledge is part of a Small Community Air Service Development Program effort to secure additional flights. The county reported five funding partners committed to the guarantee: the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Ithaca College, Ithaca Area Economic Development, Cornell University and the strategic tourism planning board. Each partner’s commitment is pro rata; the county said no single partner would carry a disproportionate share if a guarantee were called.

Legislators noted that revenue guarantees do not represent immediate cash outlays unless the guarantee is invoked; the county would keep partner pledges on the balance sheet to be used only if the carrier invoked the guarantee under the terms of its agreement. County and airport officials said previous revenue guarantees have not been tapped in recent years and the airport expects United to load the flight into its schedule as soon as contract details are finalized, with a target start date in October.

The resolution authorizes the county to set aside the partner commitments and proceed with final contract clarifications so United can list the route for booking. Airport staff and chamber representatives present at the meeting said they are finalizing contract details and the partner organizations had already provided letters of support.