PLATTSBURGH -- Big Sky Airlines has been approved to provide service to Plattsburgh International Airport and Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has officially designated Big Sky Airlines, based in Montana, as an Essential Air Service carrier.

"There is no question that regular, affordable air service is necessary in continuing the economic development of the North Country, and the appointment of Big Sky as an Essential Air Service provider is a key step in continuing to realize the region's great potential," U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday in a news release.

The DOT has established an annual subsidy rate of $2.4 million to provide each airport with three round-trip flights each weekday and three flights each weekend.

The announcement clears the way for CommutAir to discontinue its Continental Connection flights, as it requested earlier this year.

Plattsburgh International Airport Interim Director Rodney Brown said Plattsburgh has been fortunate to have CommutAir.

"This airport has been well served with CommutAir. The county has had a good relationship with CommutAir in their time here. We certainly wish them well."

EXCITING TIME'

Big Sky President Fred DeLeeuw said Thursday that the company will replicate what CommutAir provides but with Delta Connection flights.

He said Delta and its partners offer 140-plus flights from Boston to 40 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe daily.

DeLeeuw said Big Sky has to coordinate with CommutAir and Cape Air, which was awarded the Essential Air Service contract for Rutland, Vt., to determine when it can begin service to the North Country. That could possibly be by late October or early November, he said.

DeLeeuw was impressed with Plattsburgh International Airport.

"It's gorgeous, a wonderful facility. It is state of the art. The terminal building is well laid out, very efficient."

The news comes on the heels of the announcement that Allegiant Air will provide low-fare, non-stop flights between Plattsburgh and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., twice a week starting Nov. 16.

"Between us and Allegiant, it's an exciting time," DeLeeuw said. "This is good for everybody in the area."