I-87 Multimodal Corridor Study AVIATION FACILITIES & OPERATIONS Existing Corridor Conditions & Opportunities 2.5. AVIATION FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS 2.5.1. Aviation Analysis Area Aviation systems somewhat resemble Interstate highways, as access is provided at fixed, predetermined locations. Each airport in a system essentially functions as a highway interchange. Like interchanges, airports can substantially influence the economic development of the communities surrounding them. Speed, time, cost, and complexity distinguish aviation from other transportation modes. Aircraft provide the fastest means for the transport of people, and thus, are primarily used for longer trips (e.g., over 300 miles). However, airline service often requires passengers to spend over an hour at an airport during both arrival and departure. Thus, the amount of time that an individual saves by flying must compensate for the amount of time spent at the airport. For transportation within the I-87 corridor, aviation does not typically provide the most cost- or time-efficient method of travel. However, air travel is typically the only mode of transportation considered for trips over 1,000 miles. The airports along the I-87 corridor provide daily non-stop flights to tourist and business destinations (e.g., Florida, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Las Vegas, etc.), with connecting flights to any destination worldwide. For air cargo, cost plays a primary role in choosing aviation over other transportation modes. The air cargo industry predominantly transports goods of low weight, high value, and/or high time sensitivity, such as documents, mail, and small packages. The time sensitivity of business- related packages has grown in recent decades, creating marked growth in the overnight document industry (e.g., UPS, FedEx, etc.). Other specialty goods commonly transported by air include computer equipment, electronics, mechanical parts, and medical goods. Bulk goods, raw materials, and durable goods are rarely transported by air. This factor has a direct impact on intermodal connections in the aviation mode. Essentially, all airports are directly connected to the highway transportation mode, but no intermodal connections exist between airports and the rail or water modes in the corridor. Therefore, potential improvements in intermodal connections may be limited to airport – highway. One potential exception involves the possibility of passenger rail between an airport and the downtown of a major metropolitan area. Thus, a consideration in the lower Hudson Valley involves providing a rail connection between Stewart International Airport and New York City. The complexity of aircraft and flight operations also affects the use of an aviation system. The complexity of aircraft, compared to automobiles, makes air transportation much less common or functional for regular everyday use. Regular use of air transportation is not envisioned in the foreseeable future. For this study, airports and aviation activity are categorized into two distinct types: commercial and general aviation (as described below). Parsons-Clough Harbour Page 2.5-1 I-87 Multimodal Corridor Study AVIATION FACILITIES & OPERATIONS Existing Corridor Conditions & Opportunities Commercial Aviation and Airports – Commercial aviation includes activity and aircraft operated by scheduled and non-scheduled airlines and air cargo operators. Some of the largest commercial operators in the corridor include US Airways, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and UPS. These operators require a high level of services, security, and airport reliability, and thus, provide service at only commercial airports in the corridor. While facilities vary, commercial airports must hold an FAA operating certificate that mandates procedures and facilities required for airline passenger Adirondack Plattsburgh Regional safety and security. Commercial airports also provide Clinton Co. “all-weather” capability, allowing flights to arrive and depart in almost all weather conditions. Westport To provide a high degree of infrastructure and service, commercial airports in the corridor are limited to the largest markets, where the population base enables the Lake Placid Ticonderoga development and operation of such airports. Albany International is by far the busiest airport in the corridor. Glens Falls General Aviation and Airports – General aviation Schroon Lake includes activity and aircraft operated for corporate/business, private, and recreational purposes, Saratoga Springs including most flight training activity. General aviation is diverse, and includes the activity of corporate fleets Schenectady flying intercontinental business jets, primary flight training, recreation in light aircraft, glider activity, and Round Lake even hot air ballooning. Thus, facilities and services highly vary at the general aviation airports in the Albany corridor, spanning from jet-capable runways with full International services for corporate aviation to unattended turf South Albany strips. The Aviation Study Area for the analysis completed for this report incorporated all airports within the overall I-87 Multimodal Corridor Study’s Primary Study Area, extending Stewart along the I-87 corridor from Albany to the US/Canadian International Border. It assessed all airports in that area, from small general aviation facilities (private planes only) to large commercial airports (with regularly scheduled passenger service). Table 2.5-1 indicates the airports that were analyzed, and the type of services provided at each. The location of these facilities is indicated in the adjacent figure: Parsons-Clough Harbour Page 2.5-2 I-87 Multimodal Corridor Study AVIATION FACILITIES & OPERATIONS Existing Corridor Conditions & Opportunities Table 2.5-1 Aviation Services in Study Area Airports Aviation Services General Commercial Airports Aviation Aviation Clinton County X Plattsburgh International [1] X X Albany International X X Round Lake X Saratoga County X Floyd Bennett Memorial X Schroon Lake X Westport X Ticonderoga Municipal X Lake Placid X Adirondack Regional [1] X X Schenectady County X South Albany X Stewart International X X [1] Limited passenger service between Albany, Adirondack Regional, Plattsburgh and Burlington International airports. As indicated above, Stewart International Airport in Orange County, although not within the Aviation Study Area, was included as part of this study. It was selected due to its proximity to the I-87 corridor and to the interchange with I-84, and its importance for the rapidly growing Lower Hudson Valley. 2.5.2. Condition and Characteristics of Study Area Airports The I-87 corridor contains several airports with varying levels of service and activity. This section briefly summarizes the public-use airports within the study area, and identifies the potential for each airport to contribute to transportation in the corridor. • Commercial Airports Plattsburgh International Airport & Clinton County Airport Formerly known as Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh International Airport is accessed from I-87 Exit 36 to State Highway Route 22. Total ground distance from the interchange is approximately one mile. After closure of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base in 1995, its ownership was transferred by the Air Force Base Conversion Agency to the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC). Following an evaluation of the facility and its potential for reuse, Clinton County formally accepted title of the Airport and its assets in 2002. Parsons-Clough Harbour Page 2.5-3 I-87 Multimodal Corridor Study AVIATION FACILITIES & OPERATIONS Existing Corridor Conditions & Opportunities With a single runway reaching nearly 12,000 feet in length, Plattsburgh International can accommodate any aircraft type. No commercial airline or cargo activity currently occurs at the airport, and total overall activity is low. However, that is likely to change in the short-term, as discussed below. One major aircraft engine manufacturer presently leases hangars at the Airport, and ample space for other similar airport- dependent companies is available. Clinton County Airport is located off I-87 Exit 37, approximately two miles from Plattsburgh International. The County plans to close this airport, and relocate or replace the airline terminal and general aviation facilities to Plattsburgh International. Clinton County Airport is currently attended and operated full time. Clinton County Airport offers limited scheduled commuter service, serving approximately 33,000 annual airline passengers, with just a few flights per day. Commutair, a Continental Connection operator, provides airline service under an FAA-administered subsidy program (i.e., Essential Air Service - EAS). This federal program provides a per passenger subsidy to the airline, in exchange for providing service to small communities located over 70 miles from other commercial airports. Clinton County Airport accommodates over 80 private and corporate based aircraft, with approximately 16,000 annual general aviation operations (takeoffs and landings). The airport also accommodates air cargo operations. FedEx and UPS conduct daily operations with turboprop aircraft. Based upon study of both airports, Clinton County has formal plans to consolidate the aviation activity of the two facilities. This entails developing new and/or relocation of terminal and general aviation facilities from Clinton County Airport to Plattsburgh International Airport. Plattsburgh International has essentially unlimited airside capability