ITHACA — Beginning in 2017, the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport says it will begin incorporating Embraer 145 jets as part of a deal with American Airlines. The 50-seat jets will replace the existing turboprop planes to accommodate increased traffic to Ithaca, the airport said in a news release issued on Oct. 28. The change from […]
ITHACA — Beginning in 2017, the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport says it will begin incorporating Embraer 145 jets as part of a deal with American Airlines. The 50-seat jets will replace the existing turboprop planes to accommodate increased traffic to Ithaca, the airport said in a news release issued on Oct. 28.
The change from turboprop planes to jets comes after American Airlines recently decided to consolidate its flights to Philadelphia, ending its services to the Greater Binghamton Airport and Elmira Corning Regional Airport early next year.
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport says it will become the official Southern Tier hub for flights to Philadelphia with American Airlines, Newark with United Airlines, and Detroit with Delta Air Lines.
“Ithaca’s a destination,” airport manager Mike Hall contended in an interview with Spectrum News, which the news release cited. “A lot of people want to come here… most of our travel is business travel.”
Airport officials say that with the increase in traffic, comes the opportunity for improving facilities and equipment. Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is “still hopeful” to receive funding from an upstate airport redesign competition for the improvement of security services, building a screening room, and including customs services within the airport.
Beginning in 2017, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport hopes to “clear at least 100 aircraft within their first year of business.” The airport expects to add regional jet service to Newark via United Airlines later in 2017.
The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport contends that it generates nearly $70 million in annual positive economic impact on the area, which supports 510 jobs. The airport is a “gateway” for travelers to Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
In June of this year, the Tompkins County Legislature authorized the county to accept a nearly $350,000 grant from the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to help fund marketing and promotion at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.
The grant — under the DOT’s Statewide Opportunities for Airport Revitalization (or SOARs) program — is being used to offset the cost of marketing and associated consulting fees to help improve and increase service at the airport, according to the legislature. Hall, the airport manager, noted at the time that acceptance of the grant would allow the airport to boost its promotion and marketing as it tries to attract more flights, without increasing the facility’s operating budget for marketing.
Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com
