Status and Expansion
Although 2006's bad numbers may have led NEG to pull out, Stewart's commercial service is currently on the rise. Shortly after taking over, the PA reported that the airport's traffic for 2007 would be triple that of 2006. It was reported in January 2008 that Stewart had achieved its goal and had handled 970,000 passengers in 2007.
A plan is currently in place to drastically change Stewart's image over the next 20 years. The plan includes major renovations such as the addition of a brand new terminal, the construction of a train station adjacent to the new terminal and connecting the airport to Metro North, a 2,000-foot (608 m) extension of runway 16-34, the addition of multiple new taxiways, and a major expansion of the cargo facilities at Stewart. Parts of the plan have already been put into place with the addition of a new control tower. In the fourth quarter of 2007, Interstate 84's new Drury Lane exit, NY Route 747, and International Boulevard were also opened.
In addition to commercial and passenger services, Stewart excels in many other areas not seen as well by the public. NEG had some success selling private helicopter shuttle service to midtown Manhattan's heliports to business travelers from Stewart at rates competitive with those offered from JFK Airport; it also remains a popular place to service corporate jets due to the large space available.
Cargo services are also part of the mix — Federal Express maintains a large distribution presence just outside the airport, as does the U.S. Postal Service, whose main general-mail facility for the mid-Hudson region is not far away, either. Importers of plant and animal products also route their flights to Stewart and the USDA inspection facility for those is nearby, on Drury Lane.
In 2005, the airport was used to transport emergency personnel and supplies to help the cleanup after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast.
Stewart also serves as a popular divert destination for aircraft intending to land at one of the three main New York-area airports (Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK), especially during times of deteriorated weather in the city area.
American Airlines, which had served Stewart since 1990, discontinued American Eagle regional jet service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on September 5, 2007.
In 2008, AirTran Airways discontinued service to Stewart International Airport.
The Port Authority sees Stewart as offering needed relief to those airports and (especially) Teterboro, estimating it could handle five times its present passenger volume. It will probably follow its standard procedure and contract the actual operations of the airport out.
In February 2008, the PA's new general manager, Diannae Ehler, said she had been discussing the possibility of foreign flights with a number of European carriers. She felt encouraged and hoped that by 2009 there could be regular passenger service between Stewart and some European destinations.
In September 2010, it was announced that Apple Vacations would begin non-stop charter service to Cancún via Allegiant Air.
Read more about this topic: Stewart International Airport
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