The Stewart Airport Commission met July 26 and SAC citizen-members were told New York wants to see fewer Canada geese flying the friendly skies.
When it comes to the growing population, the state is reportedly getting ready to reduce the flock by two-thirds, killing up to 165,000 geese.
Since U.S. Airways Captain Chessley “Sully” Sullenberger glided onto the Hudson River beside Manhattan after geese were sucked in his jet”™s engines in 2009, their increasing numbers have been the talk of the town. While geese may not be Stewart”™s primary problem now, said SAC Commissioner Jim Wright, reducing the population has become a must for passenger safety at all airports.
Bringing up passenger numbers at the Port Authority”™s new acquisition has been a constant priority, and general manager Diannae Ehler reported passenger-load factors of 80 percent are an incentive for other airlines to come on board.
To date this year, 194,000 passengers have gone through Stewart”™s gates, and Ehler is encouraging diversion flights from the downstate airports to familiarize them with its Hudson Valley partner.
Cargo numbers are climbing, a barometer Ehler points to as an indicator the economy is picking up. “We had 530,000 tons so far in 2010, not including Jet Blue”™s 2,000 tons a month. It”™s a revenue stream for the airline and the airport.” Fed Ex and UPS picked up the slack when DHL suspended U.S. cargo shipments. Both have a 400-mile delivery radius out of Stewart, added Ehler.
Since taking over in 2007, the Port Authority has invested more than $37 million in infrastructure improvements, adding runway edging lighting and creating an electric grid for airlines to hook up to rather than keep engines running. The main parking lot in front of the terminal has been expanded to 800 spots and is due to open soon.
The parking lot, in keeping with the Port Authority”™s commitment to reducing the airport”™s carbon footprint, is a composite blacktop that allows rainwater to soak through it, reaching six inches of gravel, which takes the water and filters it down to runoff pipes. The recycled water is used for watering lawns and shrubs, according to Mike Torelli, director of business development for the airport. Stewart is also aggressively marketing its 260-acre Industrial Park, working in tandem with the Orange County Partnership and Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.
Stewart is also considering terminal expansion if passenger service picks up ”“ it was 900,000-plus per year at its 2007 peak.
The airport is already creating a dedicated area for U.S. Customs to handle international charters. Ehler anticipates that service to begin Nov. 1. “That”™s when travel time peaks,” said Ehler, “during the holiday months.”
Ehler told SAC board member Chris White the Port Authority is committed to spending $500 million it originally proposed for upgrading Stewart, but because of economic conditions and the funding PANY/NJ is putting into Access to the Region”™s Core and the World Trade Center, budgeting is being done annually. “We can spend in years where the need is immediate””other projects can be scaled back when the economic picture is better,” said Ehler.
Susan Baer, the new director of aviation for the Port Authority, recently addressed the Dutchess Chamber of Commerce and plans to host a workshop on doing business with the PA in Dutchess Oct. 27, with the location to be announced.
One last piece of advice before breaking up the bi-monthly meeting?
If you find yourself stranded on the tarmac, Ehler had a handy piece of advice: “Print out an extra copy of your boarding passes, especially your children”™s. It makes it that much easier to get on and off the plane once it passes the three hour time limit set when you are waiting for takeoff and you”™re allowed to disembark.”
The SAC will meet again Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
