SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE, FOLLOWING THEIR PUSH, OGDENSBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $11 MILLION IN FED FUNDING TO COMPLETE AIRPORT EXPANSION & BEGIN LOW-FARE SERVICE WITH ALLEGIANT AIR

Schumer, Gillibrand Have Long Fought To Make Critical Airport Expansion A Reality, Which Would Enable Ogdensburg Airport To Bring Low-Cost Air Service To North Country – By Accommodating New Allegiant Flights, The Airport Could Add Thousands Of Passengers Per Year & Expand Economic Footprint In The North Country

In 2015, Schumer & Gillibrand Secured Initial $7.5 Million In Fed Funding To Extend The Airport’s Runway By 1,200 Ft. – Ogdensburg Airport Needed Rest Of The Funding Needed To Finish the Project

Schumer, Gillibrand: Second Half Of Critical Ogdensburg Airport Expansion Project Cleared For Takeoff

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that, following their push, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $11,045,537.00 to the Ogdensburg International Airport for the airport expansion project. Schumer and Gillibrand explained that the Ogdensburg Airport has applied for this funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This federal funding will allow the airport to complete its airport expansion, which will allow it to begin low-fare airline service with Allegiant Air. In 2015, Schumer and Gillibrand helped secure the initial $7.5 million in federal funding that allowed the airport to begin its runway extension. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding was the first step in extending the runway by 1,200 feet, citing that the expansion was necessary for Allegiant Air to land its planes. Schumer and Gillibrand said this second installment of more than $11 million will help see the project is completed, and will soon allow the airport to serve thousands more passengers per year and expand the airport’s economic footprint in the North Country.

“Just last year we were able to announce that the Ogdensburg Airport received the much-needed first installment of $7.5 million in federal FAA funds to break ground on this critical runway extension. Today, we are starting to see the light at the end of the runway. With this second, $11 million installment, we can finally enable Allegiant Air, which has bigger planes, to land its flights in Ogdensburg and provide a major economic boost to the entire area,” said Senator Schumer. “I fought hard to make this airport expansion reality because it will result in the creation of good-paying construction jobs, more tourist dollars, increased travel options for residents and an improved climate for business.”

“Ogdensburg International is a vital economic anchor in the North Country, and this funding allows for the completion of major renovations at the airport,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This expansion project allows for Ogdensburg Airport to bring in more lower cost flight options for the local businesses and area travelers who need them. Investing in our airport’s infrastructure is necessary to expanding economic development for the region.”

Schumer and Gillibrand said this runway expansion is necessary for Allegiant Air, which decided in 2014 to offer flights from Ogdensburg, to land its planes. Schumer and Gillibrand said that Allegiant Air flies larger planes than the ones that currently take off and land at Ogdensburg Airport, and these aircraft need a larger runway in order to operate. Schumer and Gillibrand said this runway extension project will now help provide low-fare options for North Country residents, in addition to numerous other economic development benefits for the region. 

Schumer and Gillibrand have long fought to make this runway extension, and the resulting low-cost air fare, in Ogdensburg a reality. In November 2014, Schumer announced that, following his push, that the FAA had approved the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority’s (OBPA) request to extend its runway by 1,200 feet, citing that it would enable the Ogdensburg Airport to complete its runway extension to accommodate for larger planes and begin low-fare airline service with Allegiant Air. In September 2015, the FAA awarded OBPA $7.5 million, which allowed them to begin the initial phases of the expansion and obtain necessary approvals. In addition to the 1,200 extension of Runway 27, the expansion includes taxiway widening and extension, runway approach lighting improvements, relocation of a section of Route 68 to accommodate the runway extension, and obstruction removal. The airport also plans to expand the terminal and add a 478-space parking area, which will be funded through non-FAA sources.

This runway extension project will provide inexpensive airfare options for North Country residents, in addition to numerous other economic development benefits for the region. Recent analysis indicates that the economic impact of OGS in 2017, post-runway expansion, will increase significantly. Notably, after the expansion, the airport will support 125-135 jobs, compared to 53 in 2010. The total amount of direct and indirect economic activity produced by OGS could nearly double, from $7.4 million in 2010 to $13.4-13.8 million in 2017. The runway extension could also bring 38,000 new Canadian tourists and their resources into the region. Overall, this runway extension project and the new flights will have numerous benefits for the North Country, creating construction jobs, promoting tourism, increasing travel options for residents, and creating a more favorable business climate across the region.