Syracuse, Binghamton airports to use federal money for projects

The federal government has awarded a total of $25 million in funding for renovation work at upstate New York airports serving Syracuse, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Albany.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded the money. It comes from the airport terminal program, created by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs law, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) announced.

The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority will use $8.6 million for a project that will replace the terminal HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, windows, and siding with more energy-efficient materials. Syracuse Hancock International Airport has started a sustainability initiative to increase energy efficiency and cut emissions of the terminal building, Schumer’s office noted. 

“Keeping Syracuse Hancock International Airport performing at its best requires continued investment in terminal facilities,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a Schumer news release. “Replacing the HVAC system, siding and windows with more energy efficient materials and systems is good for travelers and employees, as well as for sustainability and resiliency. I thank the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their work in securing these resources and ensuring Hancock stays a world class operation.”

At the same time, the Greater Binghamton Airport will utilize a $7 million grant to help fund improvements to reconstruct the passenger hold room; replace the aging HVAC equipment with reliable, energy-efficient units; install two passenger-boarding bridges; and expand the exterior canopy.

“This grant award will help us transform our airport to create a modern flying experience travelers have come to expect,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in the lawmakers’ release. 

Albany International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport will also use federal awards for similar projects.

“From Buffalo to Albany to Binghamton to Syracuse, the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is giving our Upstate airports the lift they need fly higher than ever before. This major, nearly $25 million federal investment will help these much needed renovations for modern airport terminals take off,” Schumer said. 

Schumer and Gillibrand explained that the Infrastructure & Jobs law provided $5 billion in competitive grants for airport-terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. This announcement represents the latest round of the funding.