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Plattsburgh International was already a fully operating and profitable industrial airport with tenants including Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier, the Department of Homeland Security, Wood Group, and others. Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute, a major new FAA approved A&P school sponsored by Clinton Community College and Champlain Valley Educational Services, which opened nearby in September of 2009. The airport facilities include a 12000 ft (3657.6 m) runway and a 12000000 sqft (1114836.5 m2) concrete ramp for cargo and aircraft. Plattsburgh also has no night curfews or flight restrictions and enjoys calm weather year around (97% VFR). It is also a Foreign Trade Zone and Empire Zone, making it a virtually tax free zone for many enterprises. It also has significant multi-modal capabilities, including its own interchange on the Interstate Highway System (Exit 36 of I-87), a direct rail spur from the main Canadian Pacific Railway line between Montreal and New York City; a new railyard on site; and direct rail and highway access to the Port of Montreal just 60 mi (96.6 km) north. Plattsburgh International has been attempting to promote itself as "Montreal's U.S. Airport," standing just one hour from downtown Montreal. On September 5, 2007, it was learned that Las Vegas-based airline, Allegiant Air, would offer non-stop flights from Plattsburgh International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The service began on November 16, 2007. The airline has cited Plattsburgh as an ideal location due to its proximity to Montreal. Allegiant operates a similar situation with Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Washington, which is close to Vancouver. On March 15, 2008, the airport began hosting regular service by Direct Air, offering three direct flights weekly to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The charter airline already had a successful service to Myrtle Beach from Niagara Falls, which has drawn many passengers from Ontario just as Plattsburgh is now doing from Quebec. The airport is also served by Colgan Air, offering up to three flights daily to Boston. The airport will be offering non-stop flight service by Spirit Airlines to Ft. Lauderdale with connections to Caribbean destinations starting on January 14, 2011 and seasonal non-stop flights to Myrtle Beach starting May 5, 2011. |
