Flying to Florida through New York Stewart International Airport in Orange County is about to get easier and cheaper, and will help “re-energize” the airport, officials said Tuesday.

Representatives from the Port Authority and Frontier Airlines announced Tuesday that the airlines will begin regular routes to three Florida cities this fall: Miami, Orlando and St. Petersburg-Tampa.

The Orlando routes will start Oct. 25 with flights four times a week; the Miami and Orlando service will be three times a week starting Nov. 2.

But how long will this new agreement with Frontier Airlines last?


What You Need To Know

  • Representatives from the Port Authority and Frontier Airlines announced Tuesday that Frontier will begin running flights from Stewart to Orlando, Miami and Tampa beginning October 25

  • A Port Authority rep said the service could last for several years if the service is properly marketed

  • The first tickets went on sale Tuesday starting as low as $39 one-way

Officials with the Port Authority Of New York and New Jersey said it could last for years, and the service could expand to offer flights to more places, if the service is properly marketed.

“Yeah, I go on vacation. I went to Florida not that long ago,” said Jonathan William of Middletown, speaking Tuesday at the Middletown train station. “I don’t really know much about that airport near Newburgh, though.”

William’s friend, William Reyes, has flown five times this year. He usually takes the train into the New York City area to fly out of JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, but he never flies out of Stewart International.

He said Stewart does not typically have the best deals, nor the best options. “It’s not a big airport where you can fly from different states and stuff like that,” Reyes said.

That is being worked on.

Frontier will fly to and from Stewart for the first time when Florida service begins; currently, it flies out of LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports.

The first tickets went on sale Tuesday, starting as low as $39 one-way.

Port Authority officials said they will waive Frontier’s rent and landing fees for the first two years of the agreement because they expect Frontier to last a long time in Orange County.

"Our airports across the state are a key part of our economic development and these new flights by Frontier Airlines are further proof that New York is open for business and building back better," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.

Alex Minton, manager of Air Service Development for the Port Authority, said the airport can certainly handle the new service, and there is demand for it.

“Our goal is going to be growth and more growth, whether on Frontier, whether it’s on someone new, whether it’s on the carriers who currently serve here,” Minton said. “We don’t see any limitation on the potential for this airport.”

Back at the Middletown train station, William and Reyes looked through the new options and prices for flights at Stewart in the Port Authority’s press release.

They hope the new service starts the airport on a roll.

“I think they should keep this,” William said. “This is nice.”

“I might go book my flight now,” Reyes added.