Despite an economy that tanked shortly after the Port Authority took over Stewart International Airport in 2007 and one of the worst winters in Hudson Valley history, Susan Baer, the PA”™s new director of aviation, remains bullish.
Attending the Stewart Airport Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 6, Baer said she is working to bring business to the agency”™s newest aviation hub. A recent agreement with JetBlue to carry cargo on its flights out of the New Windsor location has “been a win-win for both the airline and us,” said Baer. “It”™s another revenue stream, one we intend to pursue.”
Winter”™s blasts in February, which caused Central Hudson”™s worst power outage in its history, didn”™t stop Stewart, which also lost power but relied on backup generators. The airport became a magnet for diverted flights and a meeting place for repair crews that came from across the country to work on restoring electricity.
“Central Hudson mobilized forces here,” said Jack Martini, who delivered the airport activities report. “There were 271 line crews that put in 230,000 man hours of work to restore power to over 150,000 Central Hudson customers. We had 200,000 pounds of dry ice on hand and served more than 1,200 meals during the repair work. All I can say is, thank God it”™s spring.”
The storm-driven flight diversions provided an opportunity to introduce Stewart to pilots who might otherwise fly over, said Baer. “We should do all we can to encourage diversions,” said Jim Wright, chairman of the Stewart Airport Commission. “It”™s an opportunity for airlines to know we are here.”
Cargo and passenger service numbers were down slightly as a result of the February storms, continued Martini, but were near January, 2009 totals, “so we are optimistic that numbers will rise now that better weather has arrived.”
The PA has invested $31 million in infrastructure improvements since taking over the airport from National Express Group in November 2007 and expects to spend another $16 million in 2010, part of the PA”™s $500 million commitment in its 10-year capital improvement plan.
Baer stressed that as the airport continues to grow, money allocated through the capital plan will be spent as needed.
A new terminal may be in Stewart”™s future, Baer told SAC members, “but right now, we are in the midst of a crushing recession. Many other small regional airports are out of business. Stewart isn”™t. We are going to continue aggressively marketing the airport both for its location, its cargo capacity and easy accessibility to major transportation arteries. I don”™t miss an opportunity to let our carriers know Stewart is only 55 miles from Broadway. We are talking with our existing carriers to expand service; out of 40, I”™ve already spoken with 25 of them.”
Baer is also working on bringing international charter flights into the airport, “which can become a significant source of revenue. We have set aside the lower level for customs and border security and anticipate accommodating international charters by the end of the year and hope to have it in full swing by 2011.”
The New York State Police will continue providing services at the airport. In exchange for those services, the PA will build a new $10 million forensic crime laboratory on the airport”™s property, which will be made available for local municipalities. “This is a win-win situation for us and the state police,” said Baer, “as well as for municipalities who need forensic services.”
Baer assured SAC members the Port Authority is continuing with its pledge to make Stewart its first carbon-neutral airport. “We”™ve been working with the Solar Energy Consortium, using signage and testing solar street lightings. We are installing LED lighting on our runways.”
Right down to flushless toilets, Stewart is giving the Port Authority the opportunity to remake the airport to meet today”™s environmental standards, she told SAC members.
When asked if a new master plan was on the table, Baer said the PA is working with the one National Express Group, the former airport lessee, filed with the Federal Aviation Agency. “That master plan is a 20 year plan,” said Baer. “We are following some of its directives…but keep in mind a master plan is a living, working document. As needs change, it will be changed to accommodate them. As yet, we have not created a formal master plan to replace the one NEG left.”
Chairman James Wright suggested a public hearing be held prior to the adoption of any new master plan. “We know that ideas have been shared with the Stewart Airport Advisory Panel, but I believe a full public hearing would give the community the opportunity come out, ask questions and give valuable input.”
Stewart Airport Commission will meet again on Tuesday, May 25, at 8:30 a.m. Meetings are open to the public.
