Long-range plans include expanding passenger area in hopes of attracting international travel
TOWN OF WALLKILL – November 1 marked the eighth year since the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took over operation of Stewart Airport near Newburgh.
Airport Manager Ed Harrison briefed the Orange County Chamber of Commerce in the Town of Wallkill on Thursday. He talked of the ups and downs of the commercial airline business over the years and efforts to boost service competing to some degree with JFK, Newark and LaGuardia airports.
“Some of you in the room have kids like I do and God knows we never love one kid over the other, but Stewart is like the well-behaved kid in every family – on time, easy going, hassle free- I love that kid,” Harrison joked.
Stewart may get the jumpstart it has been waiting for over the years, now that it has officially designated as a New York City metropolitan area airport. That designation will be used to promote Stewart and draw more passengers into the Mid-Hudson region.
The Port Authority continues to spend millions to upgrade its infrastructure which it continues to beat the bushes for additional passenger and cargo service.
Harrison noted the two airport runways have been reconstructed, the State Police crime lab just opened, and that the airport will expand the passenger terminal to seamlessly accommodate foreign travel.
