April 29, 2006

A fourth New York City airport? No easy options

The three main airports serving New York City -- JFK, LaGuardia and Newark -- will hit maximum capacity within 15 years and there is no ideal way to accommodate growth, according to a New York Times story that today examines the options.

While at least one official is in favor of new technology to allow for more passengers, a study commissioned by the Federal Aviation Administration has examined the "fourth airport" possibility for six locations: Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, N.Y.; Long Island Islip MacArthur Airport; Westchester County Airport; Trenton Mercer Airport; Atlantic City International Airport; and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pa.

All are at least 25 miles from Manhattan, some more than 60, and none with great public transportation. However, the Times said Sen. Charles Schumer, (D-NY) is backing the plan for a new Hudson River rail tunnel partly to provide train service to Stewart Airport in the Hudson River Valley. (The Metro-North Railroad currently runs direct from Grand Central Terminal to Beacon, about 10 miles from Stewart, map.)

Stewart, which earlier this month abandoned plans to change its name to New York Hudson Valley International Airport, is 65 miles from Manhattan but bigger than Newark Airport with 2,200 acres and a 12,000-foot runway that can handle the largest of commercial aircraft. Stewart is the nation’s first privatized commercial airport,operated by National Express Group, a British firm. The airport is near the junction of the New York State Thruway and I-84, map.

"The beauty of us is that our airspace is completely different," Charles Seliga, former manager of JFK and current Stewart airport managing director told the Times. "We're not near the water, so my weather is completely different."

Stewart is served by Allegiant Air, American, NorthWest and US Airways Express.

Earlier: NY airports post worst on-time record in US for 2005
FAA approves $40 mln for LaGuardia control tower
Hudson Valley airport changes name, seeks flights
How to identify cancel-prone flights before booking
NYC flights delayed more than 30 percent of the time
AirTrain transfers absolutely miserable with luggage
Port Authority floats idea for new airport in NYC area
Philadelphia by regional rail worth the hassle?
Flying to Philadelphia, not NYC: costs less, more hassle

April 29, 2006 09:30 AM in Arrivology, Out of Manhattan

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