The frustration with air travel in New York State's Southern Tier has been building for years. Severalsmall cities (most notably Elmira, Ithaca, and Binghamton) have their own small airports, segmentingregional demand such that each city is able to support only a handful of flights per day.Further, U. S.Airways virtually monopolizes these small markets, charging high prices for even short hauls.Manyresidents are forced to drive to Syracuse, Rochester, or even Scranton in order to find a convenient orreasonably priced flight