Former Air Force Base Sees New Life As Growing Passenger Hub

Last year, then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer visited Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) in the midst of construction of its new terminal... and became the airport's first passenger arrival. On Thursday, now-Governor Spitzer returned to see the completed terminal which was opened in June, and to make a further state contribution toward the airport's continuing development.

"The State will invest $2 million to support the community's efforts to retrofit one 28,000 square foot hangar -- an Air Force nose dock hangar -- with insulation, electric heat and doors, transforming it from a Cold War relic into a key tool for attracting investment to the airport and the region," Spitzer said to a crowd of business and community leaders gathered in the terminal lobby.

As ANN reported, Plattsburgh International Airport was created from the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, and features a variety of aviation structures and facilities given to the community by the federal government for redevelopment. These include several 28,000 SF hangars, some of which have already been updated for occupancy by aviation tenants. Thursday's funding commitment by the Governor will permit the airport to modernize an additional hangar.

"The Governor understands that we have active interest from aviation and aerospace companies in hangar space at Plattsburgh," states Garry Douglas, President of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. "Today's announcement will allow us to accelerate the modernization of another hangar, thereby allowing us to attract and accommodate another tenant and create more jobs."

Spitzer also met with airport and economic development leaders at the terminal and discussed other ways that the state can assist in airport development and marketing, including the attraction of additional air services in the future.

Plattsburgh International is a multi-purpose airport and aerospace park, located one hour south of Montreal and serving the region of northern New York and southern Quebec. Marketed as "Montreal's US Airport," PBG's growing tenant base includes Pratt & Whitney Canada, Wood Group and the northern border air wing of the US Department of Homeland Security, among others.

SheltAir, an aviation service company based in Fort Lauderdale, is the airport's FBO... and the airport recently won air service announcements from Delta Connection and Allegiant.

FMI: www.flyplattsburgh.com