Added Service Gives Greater Binghamton Airport a Record Boost

Added Service Gives Airport a Record Boost
Passenger boardings up 11.7 percent

Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY
January 9, 2004
  
 
TOWN OF MAINE -- Total passenger boardings at Greater Binghamton Airport surged 
by the largest percentage in nearly two decades as the airport gained service 
from a new carrier and expanded the number of regional jets serving the area. 

Total passenger boardings grew by 11.7 percent in 2003, compared to the 
previous year. Not since 1984 has the airport experienced larger percentage 
gains in yearly passenger boardings, according to airport statistics. 

In December, passenger boardings at Greater Binghamton Airport increased 16.5 
percent over last year to total 12,095 passengers. December represents the 17th 
consecutive month the airport has experienced year-over-year gains in passenger 
traffic. 

"Turning the Greater Binghamton Airport into a successful economic development 
engine for this region has always been a top priority," Broome County Executive 
Jeffrey P. Kraham said. "With this level of growth, it is evident that our 
efforts focused on air service development, marketing and customer service are 
paying tremendous dividends." 

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks depressed air travel at most of the nation's 
airports in 2001, including Greater Binghamton Airport, offering a possible 
explanation for the large percentage gain in boardings over the previous year. 

Still, airport managers were quick to note that total passenger boardings for 
2003 represent the highest total year-end figure the airport has had since 
1999. During 2003 the airport added Delta Connection regional jet service to 
Cincinnati, and Northwest Airlink replaced two turboprop flights to Detroit 
with regional jet service. 

Travel agents in surrounding communities such as Ithaca have said Greater 
Binghamton Airport has increasingly become an option for travelers in their 
region who are looking for alternatives. 

The agents said the increased competition at the Town of Maine airport has 
produced fares comparable to the larger airport in Syracuse and more convenient 
connections than existed previously from carriers at the airport. 

Nationwide passenger traffic was down 2.6 percent for the year-to-date through 
November, according to the Air Transport Association. The organization has not 
released December figures yet. 


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