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Study finds local demand to justify pursuing Essential Air Service for Jamestown Airport
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Summary
A consultant presented a regional air-service recovery study recommending pursuit of the federal Essential Air Service program as the fastest path to reinstating commercial flights at Jamestown Airport, noting a catchment-area of roughly 1,500 daily passengers and several funding and airline-partnership options.
A county presentation on Dec. 18 laid out a data-driven case for pursuing commercial air service at Jamestown Airport, with consultants recommending the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program as the most immediate and cost-effective path to restoration.
Shannon Fisher, Chautauqua County manager of airports, introduced Evan Berg, the study lead. Berg said the analysis used passenger search data, USDOT records and census figures to define a custom catchment area around Jamestown. He said roughly 916 daily outbound passengers and 590 inbound passengers originate from that catchment, producing about 1,500 passenger movements per day in the broader 90-mile radius.
"There is sufficient demand to support regional jet service, provided we find the right airline partner at the right time," Berg said. He outlined three pathways: (1) pursue Essential Air Service, a federally subsidized program; (2) apply for the Small Community Air Service Development Grant (SCASDG) in the next cycle; or (3) negotiate a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) backed by local/state/private funds to underwrite startup risk.
Berg said EAS would be the most economically beneficial short-term option because it provides federal funding and precedent exists for similarly sized communities to receive support. He added that SCASDG would likely push a service timeline into 2026, while an MRG requires significant local investment and negotiation with an airline.
During questions, Legislator Fred Larson pointed to Bradford, Pennsylvania (which still has EAS-supported flights) and argued Jamestown’s market is comparable and deserving of political advocacy. Berg and Fisher said airline negotiations were ongoing and emphasized that legislative and community support would be central to securing EAS or other programs.
The presentation also addressed operational constraints: runway length limits aircraft range and payload, and legacy airlines concentrate market share regionally. Berg recommended targeting a hub connection (for example, a major carrier hub) to maximize onward connectivity rather than point-to-point leisure markets.
Next steps outlined by the presenters included continued outreach to potential airline partners, stakeholder meetings to build local support, and funding discussions with FAA and DOT over the coming months. Consultant timelines suggested service could be targeted by mid-summer of the following year if negotiations and funding align.
The presentation concluded with an offer to return for further questions and to work with county leaders on political and community outreach.
Ending: The legislature did not take a vote on the air-service study at this meeting; presenters invited follow-up and coalition-building as the county explores EAS, grant, or MRG pathways.
