BINGHAMTON — The Greater Binghamton Airshow attracted about 8,500 visitors to the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine on June 23, despite damp, low clouds that forced some participants to change their acts, organizers say. While some performers had to cancel, others had pre-planned alternatives for when clouds are low, says David Hinkling, […]
BINGHAMTON — The Greater Binghamton Airshow attracted about 8,500 visitors to the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine on June 23, despite damp, low clouds that forced some participants to change their acts, organizers say.
While some performers had to cancel, others had pre-planned alternatives for when clouds are low, says David Hinkling, commissioner of aviation for Broome County.
By 2 p.m., as the lowest clouds lifted, acts were able to take to the air, he explains.
“People who stayed had a good time,” Hinkling says of spectators.
While the Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team had to cancel, “most every other demonstration got off the ground,” he says. He adds that some air-show aficionados actually prefer low-altitude demonstrations like those required by the June 23 weather.
This was the first Greater Binghamton Airshow since 2014. That show drew about 4,000 more people, Hinkling says. “But we were pretty pleased, considering the weather.”
The show took place as the Greater Binghamton Airport is looking to grow the number of scheduled flights. Right now only Delta serves the airport with twice-daily service to and from Detroit.
Hinkling hopes to see other flights added, and says the airport has made it clear that it would like to add a flight to a Southern U.S. airport that could provide connections.
Right now, he says, many of those seeking to travel by air first travel by car to Syracuse or Albany, which are served by full-service and low-cost airlines.
While other airports across Upstate have been using state grants to renovate terminals, Hinkling says Greater Binghamton Airport already has a nice terminal. Instead of spending on improving that, he said the airport is working to develop businesses nearby to increase demand for the airport and create revenues that will allow it to reduce what it charges airlines for landing fees and space rental, “while not increasing the cost of the airport to taxpayers.”
“A lot of getting new service is timing,” he says, and thinks that keeping airlines aware his airport is ready, and there are potential passengers already in the market, could prove successful if an airline is looking to move flights. “I’m optimistic that we could do that,” Hinkling says.