Buffalo's Dual Airport System: Two Hubs, One City

There are two airports in Buffalo, New York: Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) and Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG). Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the primary airport serving Buffalo and handles more flights than Niagara Falls Airport. It is located in Cheektowaga, about 11 miles from Downtown Buffalo. Niagara Falls Airport is a smaller airport located about 21 miles from Buffalo and offers domestic and seasonal international flights to Canada. Both airports serve the Buffalo metropolitan area and the southern Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario, Canada.

Location of Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is located in Cheektowaga, New York, United States. It is about 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Toronto, Canada (although the driving distance to Toronto is 106 miles or 171 km). The airport covers 1,000 acres (400 ha) and is at an elevation of 727 feet (222 m).

The airport is accessible via the Kensington Expressway (NY Route 33), which ends at the airport and intersects with the New York State Thruway, Interstate I-90, about 1 mile (1.6 km) away. From there, it is a short 10-15 minute drive to downtown Buffalo. Public transportation options include Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority bus routes 24B (Genesee), 47 (Youngs Road), 68 (George Urban Express), and 204 (Airport-Downtown Express). NFTA Metro Paratransit also offers services for people with mobility issues, but pre-booking is required. Additionally, Greyhound Bus Lines provides transportation to and from the airport, with services to Toronto and New York City.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the state of New York and the busiest within the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. It offers up to 100 nonstop flights per day, serving 31 airport destinations across the United States, with seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The airport plays a crucial role in the development of business and tourism in the Buffalo Niagara region.

History of Buffalo Niagara International Airport

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport (IATA: BUF, ICAO: KBUF, FAA LID: BUF) is located in Cheektowaga, New York, United States, and serves both Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York, as well as the southern Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario, Canada. It is one of the busiest airports in the state of New York, seeing up to 100 nonstop flights per day and serving 31 airport destinations.

The airport first opened in 1926 as the Buffalo Municipal Airport, making it one of the oldest public airports in the country. It was built on 200 acres of former farmland in Cheektowaga, with the land being purchased in 1925. The airport's construction was encouraged by a group of aviation enthusiasts who believed an airport was essential for the city's growth. Buffalo's location on the route from New York City to Cleveland and Chicago also contributed to its early popularity.

The original airport included a small terminal building, a hangar, and four cinder runways, with passenger and mail service to Cleveland beginning in December 1927. The airport underwent its first expansion in 1939, with the construction of a new terminal building, and again in 1955, when the terminal was expanded to 11 gates and tripled in size. In 1959, the airport was acquired by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and renamed the Greater Buffalo International Airport.

The airport continued to expand and renovate its facilities over the following decades, adding new concourses, gates, and a control tower. In 1991, it was decided that a new terminal would be more feasible than continued renovations, and construction began in 1995. The new $56 million terminal opened in November 1997 with 15 gates, and was later expanded in 2001 to include 24 gates. The terminal underwent another major renovation and expansion in 2017, adding more space and improving the curbside and baggage claim areas.

Today, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport covers almost 1,000 acres and continues to be a vital hub for business and tourism in the Buffalo Niagara region.

Airlines and destinations from Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is located in Cheektowaga, New York, United States. It is one of the country's oldest public airports, opening as Buffalo Municipal Airport in 1926. The airport serves Buffalo, New York, and Niagara Falls, New York, in the United States, as well as the southern Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario, Canada. It is the third busiest airport in the state of New York and the busiest in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area.

On average, there are 100 nonstop flights per day, serving 31 airport destinations across the United States. Additionally, the airport offers seasonal international flights to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

• American Airlines: Charlotte, Chicago (O'Hare), Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York (LaGuardia), Philadelphia, Washington (Reagan)
• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York (JFK & LaGuardia)
• Frontier Airlines: Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, Tampa
• JetBlue Airways: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Orlando
• Southwest Airlines: Baltimore, Chicago (Midway), Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Sarasota, Tampa
• Sun Country Airlines: Minneapolis/St. Paul (Seasonal), Chicago (O'Hare), Denver, Newark, Washington (Dulles)
• United Airlines: Chicago (O'Hare), New York (Newark), Washington (Dulles)
• Vacation Express by Sunwing: Cancun (Mexico), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

Niagara Falls International Airport

The airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years, including the construction of a new terminal building in 2009, followed by another new terminal complex in 2013. The airport covers 1,067 acres (432 ha) and features two paved runways. It generates approximately $219 million in annual economic activity, supporting nearly 1,840 jobs and providing $12 million in annual state and local tax contributions.

The airport is notable for serving a significantly higher number of Canadian passengers than Americans due to its proximity to the nearby border. It offers nonstop jet service to various destinations, including Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

Transportation to and from Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located in Cheektowaga, New York, United States, about 11 miles (18 km) east of Downtown Buffalo and 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Toronto. It is one of the oldest public airports in the country, opening as Buffalo Municipal Airport in 1926 on former farmland.

Public Transport

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) provides bus and rail services to and from the airport. The Metro Bus service is quick, inexpensive, and easy to use, with routes serving downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and connections to points throughout the region. The one-way fare is $2. The Paratransit Metro Bus and Rail services are accessible to passengers with special needs.

Shuttles, Vans, and Taxis

Several private shuttle, van, and taxi services operate to and from the airport, including Buffalo Airport Shuttle, Buffalo Airport Taxi, Buffalo Airport Express, and Buffalo Black Car Service.

Canadian Ground Transportation

For those travelling to or from Canada, there are numerous ground transportation options, including limousine and taxi services such as Buffalo Limousine Service, Buffalo Airport Express, and Giorgio's Limousine Service. Shuttle services are also available, such as Over the Falls Tours and Gray Line Niagara Falls.

Car Rental

Many national car rental companies have facilities on airport property, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.

Frequently asked questions