We need Jet Blue

Two airlines file Chapter 11; Jet Blue gets first of new breed of jet

Northwest Airlines Corporation yesterday announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

Delta Air Lines announced that to address its financial challenges and support its ongoing efforts to become a simpler, more efficient and cost-effective airline, the company and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

Northwest flies from Stewart Airport to Detroit and Delta recently ended its daily flights from Newburgh to Cincinnati.

JetBlue Airways, meanwhile, this week took possession of its first Embraer 190 regional jet. The new breed of jet, which previously was built with 50 seats, has now been enlarged to 100 seats.

JetBlue expects to put eight of the new planes in service by the end of the year and 18 more next year.

Senator Charles Schumer has been saying that once the airline gets those new planes, they would take a look at servicing Stewart Airport. Yesterday, he said he is continuing to urge them to come to the Hudson Valley.

“They are in the process of making their decisions and we are involved in lobbying them, but they haven’t given us any answers yet,” he said. The senator said it will take some time because the airline cannot add service with just one new regional jet in place.