Norwegian Air leaving Stewart in September
STEWART AIRPORT, N.Y. >> Norwegian Air announced Tuesday that it would end its flights from Stewart International Airport in September.
The airline cited the grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max jets after two fatal crashes of that aircraft flown by foreign airlines for its decision.
Norwegian had been operating with a leased jumbo jet from Stewart since the 737 Max jets were grounded. The airline’s last flight from Stewart to Ireland will be Sept. 14
The Oslo-based carrier also said it would be ending its flights to Ireland from a second U.S. airport and one in Canada. Norwegian’s last flight from T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island, will be Sept. 14. Its last flight to Ireland from Hamilton, Ontario, will depart Sept. 13.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus noted the airline “performed well in Orange County,” but acknowledged the safety issues of the Max 737 affected the decision to pull out.
“Norwegian proved that Stewart Airport is a viable option for international fights, and the airport will continue the construction of a new customs facility,” he said. “With attractions in Orange County such as Legoland and Woodbury Common, having an international carrier here is a natural fit. I will continue to work with the Port Authority to attract respected carriers to Stewart Airport.”
Orange County Partnership President Maureen Halahan said Norwegian’s departure “opens the door wide for other international carriers that have shown great interest in Stewart.” With construction on the international arrivals addition to the Stewart terminal, Halahan said the airport is “positioned well for a quick recovery.”
All of the transatlantic routes originally served by the 737 Maxes are being discontinued.
Matthew Robert Wood, senior vice president for Norwegian, said the return date for the 737 Max jets remains uncertain and leasing replacement planes is a solution that is “unsustainable.”
Service aboard Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner jumbo jets will not be affected by this decision.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.