STEWART AIRPORT – The number of people who use Stewart International Airport continues to grow. The latest statistics, for April, show a more than doubling of the passengers when compared to the same month last year.
A total of 50,438 people used the airport in April, compared with 23,303 one year earlier. That is an increase of 116 percent. Year to date from January to April, usage grew by 104 percent, from 88,744 to 181,153.
The growth is attributable to the Norwegian Air flights to Europe and the expanded service of Allegiant Air. Norwegian flies to five cities from Stewart while Allegiant, which flies year-round to three Florida cities, last Thursday resumed its seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Stewart Business Development Director Michael Torelli said the Port Authority’s airline development team continues to lobby other airlines to set up service at the Newburgh airport.
“What’s nice is that we do get in the door because there is always the need and relationships that we have at our other facilities to help us get in,” Torelli said. “There is nothing to report today but hopeful in the future; we’re really working on it.”
Cargo tonnage flowing through Stewart grew 25 percent in the first four months of the year, increasing from 6,005 tons last year to 7,516 this year.
