Construction has begun on an expansion of the north concourse at Syracuse Hancock Airport to accommodate record passenger traffic. More than 2.8 million passengers passed through the airport last year, easily surpassing the previous record in 2019. Regional Airport Authority Director Jason Terreri says they sorely need the additional 4,700 square feet.
“In the morning we have 16 flights that go out all within about a two hour period that fills every gate," Terreri said. "So we wouldn't be able to add any additional morning flights, which is the most important time to depart out of this market. With this [project], we've just added two new gates. Now we have 2 new additional spots that we can launch flights in the morning.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez stopped by to celebrate the project’s official launch.
"You can have more frequency, more comfort, more seating area," she said. "Literally, the hallways that you're going to be able to walk down will be wider so that people aren't crowded. It's just going to be more comfortable.”
The $28 million expansion will also include new jet bridges and the expansion of the Federal Inspection Station facility for international travelers. The airport was recently awarded $20 million for the project from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. Director Jason Terreri says none of the growth is related to Micron, so he knows there’s more to come.
“We are growing faster than most airports in the country right now, so how do you keep up with that pace of growth and that investment," Terreri said. "That is something that our team is very focused on. It's exciting, but it's going to be a challenge the next couple of years.”
The north concourse expansion is expected to be completed in less than a year.
