Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • Plattsburgh International Airport will be conducting a feasibility study to consider exanding the terminal to include another jetway in the upstairs portion, a larging upstairs seating area and more counter space on the main floor. Rob Fountain, File

    ppr-airport2

Related Links

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
January 30, 2009

Plattsburgh airport expansion planned

Booming business fuels need to grow

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — Fewer than two years into operation, Plattsburgh International Airport is poised for a major expansion.

"We have been very successful so far, and as a result of that, we are now experiencing some growing pains," Clinton County Legislature Chairman Jimmy Langley (R-Area 7, Peru) said.

"But it's a nice pain to have."

The county received approval this week from the Federal Aviation Administration for a feasibility study to determine how much and what kind of growth is needed at the terminal.

MORE SPACE
The county already is in the process of expanding the airport parking area.

The terminal expansion will most likely allow for another jetway in the upstairs portion of the airport, so two large aircraft can be loaded and unloaded at the same time.

"We only have seats for about 75 people upstairs, and we need room for about 300 people," Langley said.

"And we definitely need more counter space up front."

Other elements, such as food service, will also be considered in the expansion.

Langley said the design phase of the expansion will probably be done this year, with construction starting in early 2010.

FEDERAL FUNDING
The project would be funded by federal dollars that the county is eligible for based on the number of enplanements.

Last year, the airport saw nearly 44,000 enplanements, a far cry from the 2,000 per year at the former Clinton County Airport on Route 3.

Flights are projected to continue to increase by as many as 20,000 more enplanements per year, Langley said.

"Starting next month, we will go to 16 flights a week. We are way ahead of where we thought we would be at this point."

POPULAR
The airport opened in the summer of 2007 on the flight line of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Cape Air, a small commuter airline with service to Boston, was signed on as an Essential Air Service provider. That airline operates shuttles to Boston on nine-seat aircraft.

Allegiant Air also stepped in, offering direct flights to several Florida sites on 150-passenger jets.

Direct Air and Tours offers direct flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on large jets.

The southbound jet service has proven to be a big hit with many Canadian travelers from nearby Quebec.

The county had to not only expand the parking area but also the baggage claim area to accommodate the large crowds.

EYES ON NYC
Langley said the county is also talking with another airline about establishing commuter service to the New York City area.

"We want to keep the Boston connection, but it would be nice to have service to the south as well, so people can connect and go west from there."

Airport Committee Chairman Robert Heins (R-Area 10, City of Plattsburgh) said the rapid growth of the airport has been staggering.

"The old airport terminal was 10,000 square feet, and when we built this new one at 33,000 square feet people thought we were crazy because nobody was going to fly out of there.

"This (expansion) just shows people that the Montreal-market model works very well, and we can make it even better."


E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate' Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service