There are Big Plans on the Horizon for Stewart Airport

NEW WINDSOR – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Saturday unveiled the 17th proposal of the 2018 State of the State: it includes a plan to invest $34million to modernize and expand Stewart International Airport.

The Governor is calling on the Port Authority to approve the investment, which would increase access to world-class destinations and attractions throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley by supporting the construction of a permanent U.S. Customs and Border Protection federal inspection station (FIS). The new FIS will allow the airport to handle both domestic and international flights, while providing an improved passenger experience for all travelers.

Additionally, as part of this modernization effort and to improve its name recognition, the airport will be rebranded as New York International at Stewart Field. The airport has experienced low passenger rates in recent years, and with this renaming and the addition of regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic service in 2017 for the first time, it will attract more travelers from the Metropolitan area looking for alternative, efficient transportation.

“By transforming Stewart Airport into a state-of-the-art transportation destination, we are providing an inviting gateway to the region and supercharging an economic engine for the entire Mid-Hudson Valley,” Governor Cuomo said. “This international transportation hub will provide a world-class passenger experience, attract new visitors and businesses and continue to move the Mid-Hudson Valley forward.”

This proposal includes the following investments and actions:

Rebrand Stewart Airport as New York International at Stewart Field

The airport’s current name does not communicate to travelers and visitors booking flights to the region where the airport is geographically located. The Governor’s proposal to change the name to New York International at Stewart Field will help attract additional flight service to the region and increase name recognition among residents and visitors.

Expand International Passenger Service

The airport currently utilizes a temporary federal inspection station (FIS), which requires staff to assemble moveable walls when international passengers arrive to create a sterile area to process travelers. When in place, this temporary FIS restricts the airport’s ability to handle domestic flights.

Constructing a permanent FIS will support the airport’s potential to grow flight activity and passenger volume, while fostering the continued growth of economic development and tourism in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. The airport provides an alternative option for residents and visitors in Mid-Hudson and downstate metropolitan area, specifically traveling to international destinations.

The Governor has proposed a $27 million investment by the Port Authority to expand international passenger service at New York International. With this investment, project design is expected to be 100 percent complete by third quarter 2018 and construction of the new FIS is expected to be complete by first quarter 2021.

Increasing passenger volume will support the regional tourism industry, as the airport is currently home to the New York Air Show, which already draws tens of thousands of people to Orange County and contributes more than $5 million in economic impact every year. In addition, with the development of LEGOLAND in Goshen, the Resorts Catskill Casino and other regional businesses have expressed interest in flying guests through the airport, which further supports the need to increase its capacity.

Enhance Mobility for Travelers Through the Stewart Airport Express

To provide an improved travel experience for customers, the current Stewart Airport Express private bus carrier will be enhanced and rebranded, providing service from the airport to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan. Service will be offered on a schedule corresponding with Norwegian flights. The bus carrier, CoachUSA, offers 80-minute travel times between NYC and the airport via the Stewart Airport Express, which will be branded with New York-themed colors and promoted to support the airport’s overall marketing efforts to boost tourism in the region.

Install Carport Systems to Support Solar Power

To build on the Governor’s achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing clean economies, the Governor is calling upon the Port Authority to release an RFP to create a solar “carport” photovoltaic system at the airport, which will be built, installed, owned, operated and maintained by the selected proposer. The solar installation would be constructed over sections of the parking lot outside the main terminal building, utilizing overhead canopies that would support arrays of solar panels. The project could generate 1,100 kW and produce most of the electricity used by the main terminal on an annual basis. The design would meet specific Port Authority requirements that would prevent glare along flight paths and deter control tower disruptions.