Schumer: FAA approves $7.5 million for Ogdensburg Airport runway extension

OGDENSBURG, N.Y. — The Ogdensburg International Airport will use more than $7.5 million in federal funding to extend the runway at the St. Lawrence County facility.

The airport needs a bigger runway so Allegiant Air (NASDAQ: ALGT) can land its planes when service begins in November 2016, the office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) said in a news release issued last Friday.

Allegiant Air decided in 2014 to offer flights from Ogdensburg.

The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA) had requested more than $14 million in its application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funding is available through the FAA’s airport-improvement program.

“This major federal investment in the Ogdensburg Airport will finally allow the first part of this long-awaited runway extension to get underway. But the job is not done yet … we are going to keep fighting tooth and nail for the additional funding needed to complete this project and clear the Ogdensburg Airport runway extension for take-off,” Schumer said in the release. “This runway expansion will finally enable Allegiant Air flights, which has bigger planes, to land and provide a major economic boost to the entire area — which would result in the creation of good-paying construction jobs, more tourist dollars, increased travel options for residents and an improved climate for business.”

The airport expansion includes a 1,200-foot extension of Runway 27, taxiway widening and extension, runway-approach lighting improvements, relocation of a section of Route 68 to accommodate the runway extension, and obstruction removal.

The airport also plans to expand the terminal and add a 478-space parking area, which it will fund through non-FAA sources, Schumer’s office said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com