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CERTIFIED MOST ACCURATE FORECAST WITH CHIEF METEOROLOGIST TYLER JANKOSKI. THIS IS NBC5 NEWS> SENATOR PETER WELCH SAYS HE’S PUSHING HARD FOR A MEASURE — THAT áCOULD HELP THE PATRICK LEAHY BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SECURE THE RETURN OF JETBLUE. A SHORTAGE OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS HAS IMPACTED OPERATIONS IN THE NEW YORK AREA. THAT LED JETBLUE TO HALT ITS SERVICE FROM BURLINGTON. WELCH TELLS NBC5 A PENDING F-A-A RE- AUTHORIZATION ACT WOULD HELP ADDRESS THE STAFFING LEVELS… WHICH IN TURN COULD EVENTUALLY HELP RESTORE LOST ROUTES. IN THE MEANTIME, THE AIRPORT SAYS IT’S FOCUSED ON ENSURING QUALITY SERVICE TO NEW YORK CITY AS WELL AS OTHER MARKETS. B-T-V EMPHASIZES EVEN WHILE JETBLUE ISN’T CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THE AIRPORT, OTHER CARRIERS áARE STILL FLYING TO NEWARK, LAGUARDIA, AND JFK. <THAT’S STILL HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. THERE’S STILL OPPORTUNITIES AND WE’RE LOOKING TO EXPAND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW YORK CITY MARKET> <BOTTOM LINE, SEN. SANDERS, CONGRESSWOMAN BALINT, AND I ARE GOING TO DO EVERY SINGLE THING WE CAN, INCLUDING WITH THE FAA, INCLUDING WITH JETBLUE, INCLUDING SEARCHING FOR OTHER AIRLINES, TO RESTORE MORE REGULAR BURLINGTON TO NEW YORK SERVICE. THAT’S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ECONOMY.> SENATOR WELCH SERVES ON THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE –

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch pushing for FAA reauthorization to help bring JetBlue back to Burlington

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch said on Monday that he is pushing hard for a measure that could help the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport to secure the return of JetBlue Airways.A shortage of air traffic controllers has impacted operations in the New York area, leading JetBlue to halt its service from Burlington at the beginning of this year.Welch told NBC5 that a pending Federal Aviation Administration authorization act would help address the staffing level shortage, which in turn could eventually help restore lost routes, including Burlington.In the meantime, Burlington Airport leadership say they are focused on ensuring quality service to New York City as well as other markets.BTV emphasized that even while JetBlue isn’t currently available at the airport, other carriers are still flying to Newark, LaGuardia and JFK. “That’s still happening right now. There’s still opportunities and we’re looking to expand those opportunities in the New York City market,” said Airport Aviation Director Nic Longo.Welch said he is exploring every option in the wake of JetBlue’s departure from the airport.”Bottom line , Sen. Sanders, Congresswoman Balint, and I are going to do every single thing we can, including with the FAA, including with JetBlue, including searching for other airlines, to restore more regular Burlington to New York service,” Welch said. “That’s important for our economy.”Welch currently serves on the Commerce Committee, and says he is pushing for that FAA authorization, which he called absolutely critical.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

Vermont Sen. Peter Welch said on Monday that he is pushing hard for a measure that could help the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport to secure the return of JetBlue Airways.

A shortage of air traffic controllers has impacted operations in the New York area, leading JetBlue to halt its service from Burlington at the beginning of this year.

Welch told NBC5 that a pending Federal Aviation Administration authorization act would help address the staffing level shortage, which in turn could eventually help restore lost routes, including Burlington.

In the meantime, Burlington Airport leadership say they are focused on ensuring quality service to New York City as well as other markets.

BTV emphasized that even while JetBlue isn’t currently available at the airport, other carriers are still flying to Newark, LaGuardia and JFK.

“That’s still happening right now. There’s still opportunities and we’re looking to expand those opportunities in the New York City market,” said Airport Aviation Director Nic Longo.

Welch said he is exploring every option in the wake of JetBlue’s departure from the airport.

“Bottom line [is], Sen. Sanders, Congresswoman Balint, and I are going to do every single thing we can, including with the FAA, including with JetBlue, including searching for other airlines, to restore more regular Burlington to New York service,” Welch said. “That’s important for our economy.”

Welch currently serves on the Commerce Committee, and says he is pushing for that FAA authorization, which he called absolutely critical.