City of Syracuse formally transfers FAA Hancock certificate to airport authority

SYRACUSE — Mayor Stephanie Miner today formally handed over the operating certificate for Syracuse Hancock International Airport to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) during a ceremony at the airport.

The city of Syracuse had held the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operating certificate for the facility, Miner’s office said in a news release.

The ceremony marked the “culmination of years of work” on behalf of the city of Syracuse, SRAA, FAA, and the airport, Miner said.

“Officially turning over the operating certificate to the authority brings us in line with other top-tier airports across the state. They will be able to have even greater flexibility to reduce costs, bargain with airlines, and bring more low-cost flights to Central New York. As this transition takes off, we are excited to see the first class potential this brings to our airport,” Miner said.

William Fisher, chair of the SRAA board, said, “The transfer of the airport’s operating certificate will provide the SRAA and its management team with tremendous opportunities to advance our mission of providing safe, secure, efficient and low-cost air transportation service to the 12-county region that we serve.”

Efforts to transition the airport’s control to an independent authority began with the approval of state legislation in August 2011.

The Syracuse airport was one of the last airports in New York state still under local municipal control. Other major airports in New York, including those in neighboring upstate locations, are operating under independent authorities, Miner’s office said. 

The city of Syracuse submitted the final application to transfer the airport to the FAA on Dec. 24.  The FAA has approved the transfer, effective March 1, according to Miner’s office.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport will have a “stronger competitive advantage” operating under an authority instead of as a municipal department, Miner contends.

“The SRAA will do what the city of Syracuse cannot: run the airport like a business,” Miner said. “This means working smarter every day for lower cost fares, new airlines, and added destinations.”

Completing the transition to an authority has been an effort the Miner administration considered a “top priority,” according to the news release.

Today’s announcement followed last year’s launch of a $60 million, passenger-fee funded expansion at the airport aimed at centralizing the security terminal and expanding concession space, Miner’s office said.

The airport has over 100 flights per day and serves 2 million passengers per year.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF SYRACUSE