PLAY airlines, an Icelandic carrier, has recently announced that it will be ending its direct service from Stewart International Airport to Reykjavik, Iceland. This route has been in operation since 2022 and has also served as a connecting link to various European cities.
The decision to discontinue this route is a part of PLAY’s plan to focus on its more successful areas of business, following a takeover bid by its two largest shareholders. Unfortunately, this means that Stewart International Airport will lose its only direct flight to Europe, resulting in a loss for the surrounding area.
According to Paul Quartararo, the chairman of the Stewart Airport Advisory Commission, this is a blow to the airport, which he believes is currently underutilized. PLAY has stated that flights from Stewart will cease by October 2025, with no flights available on their website after September 1st.
In comparison to other Port Authority airports, Stewart International has had significantly lower traffic. Last year, the airport saw 277,000 passengers, a 9% increase from the year before. However, Quartararo believes that the Port Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, and the state have not done enough to promote traffic to Stewart, especially given the current congestion and personnel shortage. Despite this, the airport has become more accessible due to its connection to the New York State Thruway.
In a statement, Port Authority Aviation Director Sarah McKeon expressed the organization’s commitment to growing air service at Stewart and actively seeking new opportunities for domestic and international flights. She believes that the airport still has great potential for expansion and connectivity.
PLAY’s takeover bid not only affects Stewart International, but also other airports in the United States. However, the airline has not confirmed any details regarding the status of the bid or whether there are any provisions that could prevent it from going through. If the proposal is accepted, all U. S. flights, including those from Stewart, Boston Logan, and Baltimore’s Washington International, will end by October 2025.