So Far, Rochester Managing to Keep its Airline Service

By Walter Gabalski

Rochester, NY – The Greater Rochester International Airport is maintaining a healthy number of flights and continued air passenger traffic despite worries about the impact of rising fuel prices on upstate New York air travel.

One month ago, Airport Director David Damelio was bracing for a possible 18-percent reduction in the number of airline flights serving Rochester by the end of 2008. But instead, Damelio says the number of flights has remained relatively stable so far.

The number of flights serving Rochester is down by about three percent. Damelio says that's comparable to other upstate cities except for Albany, which recently lost all of its American Airlines service.

But Damelio says it's still a tough time for airlines. He says he's working closely with airlines to control the cost of doing business in Rochester and maintain the highest level of service possible.