Continental bows out of Tweed-New Haven

Yalies including Tweed-New Haven airport in their travel plans may have to look elsewhere, since Continental Express airlines became the second major airline in three months to withdraw service from the troubled airport. Continental Express's Thurs., Sept. 18, announcement leaves the newly renovated Tweed with only one commuter airline, U.S. Airways, for students and New Haven businessmen.

Continental Express Senior Director of Corporate Communications Bruce Kink explained that the main reason behind the airline's withdrawl was congestion in the Newark airspace. "[The congestion] was having a negative impact on our overall performance. To correct the situation, we had to limit operations out of our Newark hub," he said.

In order to limit these operations, Continental Express cancelled service from five regional markets, including New Haven. Kink called the five airports "very low market performers."

Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority Chair Roger Joyce is still hopeful about Continental Express's return to the airport. He claimed that discussions are underway with Continental and two other major carriers to restore jet service to the airport.

Kink, unaware of such discussions, said that Continental's return to New Haven is "not something that would work" until Tweed is able to "generate more traffic."

Kink expects that restoration of service will be further delayed by current Continental facilities at Newark. "We can't operate properly [with current Newark facilities]," Kink said, pointing out that a downsizing of Newark operations was necessary. Kink does not expect the situation to be rectified until between 2001 and 2003, a time frame that does not bode well for the airline's return to Tweed in the near future.

Continental Express's departure further complicates travel for Yalies who use the airport. "The change seriously inconveniences my travel plans," Lauren Ristvet, TC '00, said. Kelly Cheng, JE '00, pointed out that many students flew Continental due to the airline's promotion with the American Express Optima card.

In the meantime, Tweed-New Haven officials are focusing on the airport's upcoming transfer from city to regional control. Until the recent appointment of the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, the airport was run and funded completely by the City of New Haven. Under the new authority, the funding will be shared by New Haven and nearby communities such as Woodbridge and East Haven, New Haven Director of Public Information Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo said.

Airport officials hope that elongated runways and other improvements planned for the airport will help attract more jet service into New Haven. Ultimately, Joyce hopes to have jet service to three or four major hubs from New Haven.

Depite a loss of revenue caused by Continental Express's departure, Joyce remains optimistic about achieving the goals of the new authority. He said that community support for Tweed has increased since Continental Express's decision. "It heightens the urgency about the airport," he said.

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