Commercial Field Opened 18 Months Ago

Just eighteen months after opening its doors, Plattsburgh International Airport is initiating plans for a major expansion of its passenger terminal.

"We have been very successful so far, and the result is that we are now experiencing some growing pains," states James Langley, Jr., Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature which owns and operates the airport. "But it's a nice pain to have!"

Created from the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the airport opened its doors to passenger operations in the summer of 2007 with completion of a $20 million terminal and related improvements.

The massive airport, which features a 12,000 foot concrete runway and a 12 million square foot apron, has been marketed as "Montreal's US Airport." Located one hour south of Montreal, it is strategically positioned to develop as a secondary airport for the 5 million people in southern Quebec and northern New York, and as an aerospace park close to the existing aerospace industrial cluster in greater Montreal.

"We optimistically thought it would take five years to prove our ability to effectively tap this unique market," states Garry Douglas, President of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, which is the airport's marketing and development agency. "We were wrong. We're already bursting at the seams, with a third parking lot expansion recently completed and a fourth set for this spring. And 85% of our passengers are coming from Canada, mainly from the Montreal region but also from Quebec City and even Ottawa."

The airport has purposely focused on low-cost service to vacation destinations as a first phase of air service development, seeing this as the way to demonstrate its ability to serve the bi-national catchment area. In its first year, it attracted three airlines, Allegiant, Direct Air and Cape Air, with regular flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Myrtle Beach, Boston and Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers.

Langley indicates the design phase will move forward this year, with construction then following early in 2010. The expansion project is expected to be funded by the U.S. government, as have past development projects at the airport.

Since the US Air Force departed in 1995, it is estimated that the federal and New York State governments have invested almost $100 million in the conversion of the massive complex to new civilian uses, leaving Plattsburgh International debt free and capable of offering attractive fees and terms to air carriers and other tenants.

The airport also has no curfews or other special restrictions. A comprehensive extension plan is expected, including expansion of the gate area, airline counter space, food service and a potential international arrivals facility.

FMI: www.flyplattsburgh.com