Syracuse Jet Association plans building at Hancock International Airport

SYRACUSE  —  A cooperative organization is nearly ready to build a $6 million facility for private, charter, and corporate jets at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

The group, the Syracuse Jet Association, is a cooperative run and financed by its members. It plans to build 40,000 square feet of hangar space along with 10,000 square feet of office, conference, and administrative space. Construction on land leased from the airport could start as early as this spring, the association says.

That would be the first new development on Syracuse’s airport property in over 10 years, according to the city’s mayor’s office. Local operator MetroAir is in line to be one of the facility’s launch customers.

“You’re able to buy fuel there, keep your jets there,” says Stacey Fruscello, Syracuse Jet Association general manager. “And then other jets that transit into Syracuse are able to also use the facility for a fee and are able to use areas for the pilots and an overnight stay.”

Syracuse Jet Association designs call for the facility to be located on Col. Eileen Collins Boulevard, Fruscello says. It will be privately financed.

Designs also call for the building to be built to U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, platinum standards. QPK Design of Syracuse and Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc. are in line to work on the project.

The jet association expects to have reciprocal memberships with other specialized air operations from around the world. Facility amenities will include executive conference rooms, an executive lounge, a pilot lounge, a theater room, office space, and indoor member parking, according to the association’s website.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com