http://www.bostonherald.com/news/loc...ts09122000.htm

FAA pulls plug on LaGuardia flights
Associated Press
Tuesday, September 12, 2000

BEDFORD - Today's scheduled debut of Shuttle America's service between Hanscom Field and New York's LaGuardia Airport was postponed for at least a month when the Federal Aviation Administration halted the plan.

The airline had hoped to begin the service today at 8:30 a.m. and top company officials were scheduled to be on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

But the FAA on Monday refused to amend the airline's so-called operations specifications - at least for now. The amendment was the last obstacle facing the service to LaGuardia for the Connecticut airline, which operates several other routes out of Hanscom.

The move came after some federal lawmakers, including Massachusetts Democrats Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Rep. Martin Meehan, lobbied FAA head Jane Garvey against allowing the seven daily New York flights.

Hanscom expansion opponents were pleased by the decision.

``It's just been a wild day,'' said Anna Winter, executive director of Save Our Heritage. ``We've done a total 180 here. We're feeling pretty encouraged.''

Shuttle America Vice President Mark Cestari said the late decision suggests ``there are grimy political fingerprints all over this.''

He said the airline is evaluating legal options and that ticket prices, ranging from $59 to $129 each, will be refunded.

Opponents of airport expansion asked the FAA to review whether expansion would harm historic and environmental sites in the area. The agency said it concluded that the sites would not be harmed, but still agreed to study the matter further.