Islip, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged Air Canada to come to Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA) and create a Long Island-Toronto flight service route after recent reports that Air Canada may be considering expansion. Senator Gillibrand touted the advantages Air Canada would have from serving nearly two million travelers in the airport’s immediate area and the accessibility that MacArthur airport would offer.
Senator Gillibrand wrote in a letter to Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu, “I strongly urge you to expand your service to Long Island’s largest regional airport. Expanding your service and creating a commercial Islip-Toronto flight will mutually benefit both you and the residents of Nassau and Suffolk’s densely and ever growing counties. Flight services to and from LIMA will provide a great advantage to your company as there are over 1.5 million travelers in LIMA’s immediate area.”
Senator Gillibrand pointed out that the vital commercial hub on Long Island has the infrastructure and ability to serve Air Canada’s needs. And with no current international commercial flights out of LIWA, the Senator also noted that Air Canada will provide an exciting option to millions of travelers in both New York and Toronto.
Below’s full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter:
Dear Mr. Calin Rovinescu
I am writing in response to recent reports that your airline is considering to expand service to and from Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA). I strongly urge you to expand your service to Long Island’s largest regional airport. Expanding your service and creating a commercial Islip-Toronto flight will mutually benefit both you and the residents of Nassau and Suffolk’s densely and ever growing counties. Flight services to and from LIMA will provide a great advantage to your company as there are over 1.5 million travelers in LIMA’s immediate area.
The Town of Islip is home to over 30 different industrial parks comprising of 4,200 acres of land dedicated to industrial use. This makes Islip, and more specifically the area around the airport, a busy and vital commercial hub on Long Island. The airport is already accessible by major road and mass transit making it an optimal choice for flyers either traveling for business or pleasure. With no current international commercial flights out of LIMA, Air Canada will provide an enticing option to millions of travelers in both New York and Toronto.
Again, I respectfully urge you to give full consideration to LIMA and the Town of Islip when deciding to expand flight service. LIMA currently has the infrastructure and ability to serve Air Canada’s needs.