New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Nov. 7 that work officially began on a project to transform the Greater Binghamton Airport in Broome County into an ultramodern gateway for travelers living in and visiting the Southern Tier Region of the state.
The effort, which was awarded $32 million from the governor's $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, will redesign the passenger terminal, construct a new 6,400-sq.-ft. Customs and Border Protection facility, and rebuild the airport's main approach road to improve passenger flow and better accommodate the needs of travelers. Work also will be done to relocate the general aviation terminal to the main passenger terminal.
"A state-of-the-art airport provides an essential foundation that will enable local communities to grow their economies, create jobs, and improve their quality of life," Hochul said in a press release. "The improvements we are making to the Greater Binghamton Airport will make it the perfect welcome to those visiting the beautiful Southern Tier."
Binghamton's airport was one of nine upstate airports receiving awards in the latest round of the state's airport revitalization funding, unveiled by Hochul in 2022 with conceptual renderings. The awards are intended to promote, bolster, and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create facilities for the 21st century.
Reapplying a Sparkle Back Into an Older Airport
Built in 1945, the Greater Binghamton Airport handles more than 13,000 enplanements each year and is serviced by such commercial carriers as Delta and Avelo. The airport also is a vital travel hub for prominent local employers, including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, The Raymond Corp., Dick's Sporting Goods, and Binghamton University, but the main terminal has not been renovated in more than two decades and its features are outdated.
The modernization effort, which has an estimated total cost of $47.8 million, is expected to create more than 500 jobs and be completed by the winter of 2025.
Among the planned improvements at the Greater Binghamton Airport are:
- A redevelopment of the Airport Road approach.
- Construction of a new canopy and entry portals.
- Reconfiguration of the ticketing lobby and outbound baggage area.
- Renovation of the departures lobby and lounge.
- Upgrades to the baggage claim area and relocation of rental car counters.
- A new parking revenue control system.
"Governor Hochul is investing in transportation across New York State to enhance mobility, reconnect communities, and foster economic development," commented Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). "These dramatic improvements to the Greater Binghamton Airport will create a modern gateway that will further fuel the region's economy and help spread the word about how wonderful the Southern Tier is live, work or visit."
The Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization initiative is administered by the NYSDOT and was open to upstate commercial passenger service airports providing specialized service for commercial aircraft and/or corporate jets. Applicants were encouraged to apply for funding a single project or a group of efforts to help meet the demands of the 21st century.
Projects submitted for review by eligible airports were evaluated based on established criteria, including, but not limited to, innovation in design, passenger amenities and experience, operational efficiencies, and economic effectiveness for the airport's region.
"Our regional airports play a critical role in our economic development here in the Southern Tier, helping to connect and grow our small business and emerging tech industries," noted state Sen. Lea Webb, D-52nd District. "I am thrilled to see work get underway on the Greater Binghamton Airport's revitalization project thanks to [the] state funds awarded through the [development competition]. I thank Gov. Hochul for her support of the regional airports and economic development in Broome County and across Upstate New York."
In addition to Greater Binghamton Airport, other airports awarded the funds included Albany International, Watertown International, Saratoga County Airport, Syracuse Hancock International, Sullivan County International, Ogdensburg International, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International and the Adirondack Regional Airport.
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