New Airport for New York Planned

Filed in archive Aviation Travel on January 29, 2008

If you're a frequent flier based in New York, I have some great news for you. According to an article on MSNBC, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hopes to convert the inactive Stewart International Airport into an active airport. This move is to help decrease congestion at New York's other airports, Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airport. Not to mention Newark Liberty International Airport.

The airport is approximately 60 miles away from New York City. But, a long runway, a new exit off the Interstate, and over $500 million dollars make it desirable.

"Stewart can be kind of a beacon for a lot of things," said Anthony Shorris, executive director of the Port Authority, which has a 93-year lease on Stewart and runs the other three airports. "An anchor for growth in the Hudson Valley, a major reliever of the other airports, a cargo and job-generating facility for a new economic growth pattern, and a demonstration of the potential for sustainable development in aviation."

Change is already unmistakable: A new exit off Interstate 84 and wide new access roads now lead to the airport. A 350-space parking lot went up in three weeks and new chairs abound in the baggage claim area.

Diannae Ehler, the airport's general manager, said with the arrival of several new airlines, Stewart will serve about 900,000 passengers this year, triple its 2006 volume. It could handle as many as 1.5 million, she said, and she is busily recruiting more carriers, passengers and cargo.

Currently, the only international flights coming into Stewart are charters, but Ehler said she will talk to overseas airlines during a trip to Europe next month.

Shorris foresees 3 million annual passengers using Stewart within a few years. The attractions will include an easy trip to the airport, plenty of parking, comfortable terminals and flights taking off on schedule, he said.