Albany Airport: Size, Significance, And Scope

Albany International Airport is located in Albany, New York, and is the fourth-largest airport in the state. It is recognised as a major air centre for the Capital Region, Northeastern New York, Western New England, and Southern Vermont. The airport is conveniently accessible, with direct connections to Interstate 87 and New York State Route 7 via Albany-Shaker Road, a four-lane, 3.3-mile boulevard. In addition to its role as an aviation hub, Albany International Airport is also known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and has implemented innovative practices for the cost-effective management of aircraft de-icing fluids. The airport has also undergone recent improvements, including the construction of a new parking garage and enhancements to the terminal, ensuring a seamless and pleasant travel experience for its passengers.

Albany International Airport's history

Albany International Airport is the fourth-largest airport in New York State and the oldest municipal airport in the United States.

The airport's history began in 1908 when an airstrip was set up on a former polo field on Loudonville Road, 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the city in the town of Colonie. The following year, in 1909, the airport moved to Westerlo Island in the city of Albany, then known as the town of Bethlehem, and was named Quentin Roosevelt Memorial Field after Teddy Roosevelt's son, a fighter pilot who died during World War I. A $10,000 prize was offered for sustained flight between Albany and New York City, which was achieved by Glenn Curtiss on May 29, 1910.

In June 1928, the Albany Airport opened for mail going west, and in October of the same year, it began serving mail and passengers travelling between Montreal, Albany, and Newark. Many famous people have travelled through the airport, including Charles Lindbergh, who was the first person to fly solo from New York to Paris across the Atlantic. Other notable names include Glenn H. Curtiss, various US presidents, and Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

The airport has undergone several location and name changes since its inception. Today, it is a modern airport with recent improvements to its terminal and parking facilities. It is recognised as a world leader in cost-effective environmental management of aircraft deicing fluids and has implemented various initiatives to comply with environmental statutes. Albany International Airport is a significant economic development generator in Upstate New York and serves as a major air centre for the Capital Region, Northeastern New York, Western New England, and Southern Vermont.

Airlines and destinations

Albany International Airport is served by several airlines, with Southwest Airlines having the most presence and holding 34% of the total airline share. Other low-cost carriers that serve the airport include Avelo Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Allegiant Airlines. Concourse A at the airport hosts Allegiant Air and United, while Concourse B hosts American, Delta, and JetBlue. Southwest Airlines operates from Concourse C, which has three gates.

The airport has also been served by a number of other airlines throughout its history. For instance, Braniff International Airways added Albany as part of an unsuccessful expansion in 1979, but the airline shut down in 1982. Empire Airlines, a regional carrier based in Utica, operated flights from Albany and other Northeast cities, and Mall Airways, a commuter carrier, ran a hub at Albany in the 1980s. Additionally, Piedmont Airlines expanded to the Northeast and flew to Albany from Baltimore–Washington International Airport, and Republic Airlines began flying from Albany to their Detroit hub in 1984.

In terms of destinations, CommutAir previously served a wide range of locations, including Allentown, Bangor, Binghamton, Boston, Buffalo, Burlington, Elmira, Portland, Harrisburg, Nantucket, Wilkes-Barre, LaGuardia, Islip, Hartford, White Plains, Manchester, Providence, Syracuse, Rochester, Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh, Montréal, and Ottawa. As of December 2023, CommuteAir operates several daily flights from Albany to Washington Dulles International Airport for United Express. Avelo Airlines also provides flights to Albany, New York, the capital city of the Empire State, which is known for its rich history, culture, and modernity.

Airport facilities and services

Albany International Airport is the fourth-largest airport in New York State and the major air centre for the Capital Region, Northeastern New York, Western New England, and Southern Vermont. It is recognised as a world leader in developing cost-effective environmental management of aircraft deicing fluids. The airport has a state-of-the-art Storm Water Recovery and Treatment Facility that utilises micro-organisms to break down propylene glycol, producing methane gas that is reused as fuel to heat the incoming fluid and speed up its processing.

The airport has direct access to I-87 and New York State Route 7 via Albany-Shaker Road, a 3.3-mile, four-lane boulevard. It is served by major car rental companies, including Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and National, as well as ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, and local taxi and limousine services. The main terminal is divided into two levels, with Level 1 housing the main check-in area, baggage claim, car rental, and taxi services.

Albany International Airport has three concourses: Concourse A, which hosts Allegiant Air and United; Concourse B, which hosts American, Delta, and JetBlue; and Concourse C, which has three gates, two of which are used by Southwest. The airport offers flights with many low-cost carriers, including JetBlue Airways, Allegiant Airlines, and Avelo Airlines. CommuteAir operates several daily flights from Albany to its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport for United Express, and it has one of its key maintenance bases at Albany, serving its ERJ-145 fleet.

In recent years, the airport has undergone improvements, including a new 1,000-car parking garage, solar panels, escalators, energy-efficient taxiway lighting, and concessions. Some passenger jet bridges have been replaced, and funding has been secured for a new project to extend the bridge from the north garage to the main terminal, improving passenger flow and creating space for concessions and retail.

Environmental initiatives

Albany International Airport in New York is recognised as a world leader in developing cost-effective environmental management of aircraft deicing fluids. The airport has a state-of-the-art Storm Water Recovery and Treatment Facility that uses microorganisms to break down propylene glycol, producing methane gas in the process. This methane gas is then reused as fuel to heat the incoming fluid, speed up its processing, and heat the treatment facility.

In 2019, construction began on several airport improvements, including new solar panels, escalators, and energy-efficient taxiway lighting. These initiatives are in line with the airport's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. The airport also encourages passengers and visitors to consider alternative transportation methods, such as ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, which have designated pick-up and drop-off locations outside the terminal.

Albany International Airport is also proactive in noise reduction initiatives. They have implemented a voluntary purchase program for impacted properties within the affected areas, and these properties are then made available for suitable users as part of an economic development program.

The airport's recent improvement projects also include a new parking garage, which opened in March 2020, and the extension of the bridge connecting the north garage to the main terminal. These projects not only enhance the airport's functionality but also demonstrate its commitment to providing a modern, efficient, and environmentally conscious travel experience.

Airport expansion plans

Albany International Airport, the fourth-largest airport in New York State, has been undergoing a $100 million expansion and revitalization project. The airport, which is a major air center for Northeastern New York, Western New England, and Southern Vermont, has been challenged by space limitations. The project aims to enhance passenger amenities, improve security, and increase efficiency.

The expansion includes a new 1,000-car parking garage, solar panels, escalators, energy-efficient taxiway lighting, and the replacement of some passenger jet bridges. Upgrades to the terminal include a new main entrance with a glass curtain wall, lightweight translucent canopies, and improved security and recompositing areas. The project will also focus on the ticket area, with plans for modernized car rental and ticket counter upgrades.

The airport has already undergone several improvements in recent years, including the creation of Exit 3 off the Northway, which provides direct access to the airport, and the expansion of parking areas. These improvements are part of a broader modernization project aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and driving economic growth in the region.

The phased approach to the current expansion project will see portions of the terminal reopen as soon as they are completed, rather than waiting for a grand opening. Phase 1, which includes a family-friendly sensory room, a children's play area, and a state-of-the-art business center, is set for winter 2024-2025. Phase 2, focusing on the ticket area, is scheduled for summer 2025. The entire project is expected to be completed by early 2025.

The airport is also recognized for its leadership in environmental management of aircraft deicing fluids, with a state-of-the-art Storm Water Recovery and Treatment Facility, and its noise program, which involves the voluntary purchase of impacted properties.

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