Gillibrand and Delta Airlines

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today met with Delta Airlines CEO Richard Anderson to discuss protecting the 7,500 New York jobs Delta provides and ensuring air travel access across New York State, especially during difficult economic times.

“My number one priority is to protect and create good-paying jobs in New York,” Senator Gillibrand said.  “More than 7,500 New Yorkers go to work each day for Delta and I plan to do all I can to make sure those jobs stay in our state.”

Over the last several weeks, Senator Gillibrand has been traveling across New York State and the number one issue she has heard about is jobs.  In order to create jobs and grow the economy over the long-term, businesses need adequate access to air travel in every corner of the state.

“We cannot turn this economy around if we do not provide businesses in every corner of New York with adequate access to air travel,” Senator Gillibrand added.  “I look forward to working with Delta Airlines to find ways to ensure critical access and grow New York’s economy.”

Last week, the Obama Administration included an additional $55 million for Essential Air Service to a number of communities across Upstate New York, including Jamestown, Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Watertown.  Senator Gillibrand will work to ensure that this increased funding be used to ensure that these airports remain operational so that we can continue to expand access to air travel and grow the economy over the long term. The funding will go to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which supports commercial air service to underserved rural communities across New York and the country.