Buffalo Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located in Cheektowaga, New York, United States, is a significant aviation hub, serving Buffalo, New York, and beyond. Covering 1,000 acres (400 hectares), the airport plays a vital role in the region's business and tourism development. With up to 100 nonstop flights daily, it connects 31 destinations and is the third-busiest airport in New York. The airport, elevated at 727 feet (222 meters), boasts a rich history, having opened in 1926 on former farmland, and today offers a seamless travel experience with various amenities and services for passenger comfort and convenience.

Location and transport links

Buffalo Niagara International Airport 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. The airport covers 1,000 acres (400 ha) and is at an elevation of 727 feet (222 m). It has two runways and a wide range of services and amenities for travellers, including dining, shopping, real-time flight updates, parking options, Wi-Fi, and ATMs.

The airport is easily accessible by various transportation options. It is served by 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) from the airport. From there, it is a short drive of approximately 10-15 minutes to downtown Buffalo. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority provides bus services to and from the airport on several routes, including 24B (Genesee), 47 (Youngs Road), 68 (George Urban Express), and 204 (Airport-Downtown Express). The NFTA Metro Paratransit service is also available for individuals with mobility issues, but pre-booking is required.

Additionally, Greyhound Bus Lines offers transportation to and from the airport, with services to Toronto and New York City. Airport taxis and shuttle services are also available, providing convenient and affordable options for travellers. For those who prefer to drive, the airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options with competitive rates and easy access to the terminal.

Several national car rental companies have rental facilities on-site, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. The airport plays a crucial role in the development of business and tourism in the Buffalo Niagara region, serving up to 100 nonstop flights daily to 31 airport destinations.

History

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located in Cheektowaga, New York, first opened in 1926 as the Buffalo Municipal Airport. It was established on 538 acres of Cheektowaga farmland, purchased between 1925 and 1929. The original airport included a small terminal building, one hangar, and four cinder runways, each 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. The airport's location in Buffalo was strategic, as the city was on the route from New York City to Cleveland, Chicago, and other western cities. Additionally, the presence of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in the region contributed to Buffalo's growth as an aviation centre.

In the early days of the airport, airmail service and passenger travel between Buffalo and Cleveland began in December 1927 and quickly gained popularity. Over time, the airport underwent several expansions and renovations to accommodate the increasing aviation traffic. In 1955, the terminal was expanded to 11 gates, and its square footage was tripled. A restaurant and lounge were also added during this expansion. In 1959, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority acquired the airport from the City of Buffalo, and it was renamed the Greater Buffalo International Airport.

The airport continued to evolve with the addition of a new control tower and a concourse for American Airlines in 1961. In 1965, the first scheduled jet service, operated by American Boeing 727, began operating between Buffalo and New York. That same year, Runway 5-23 was extended to 8,100 feet. In 1968, the construction of an auxiliary terminal building, the West Terminal, was announced. It opened in 1971 with nine gates and was intended to have a ten-year lifespan due to the planning of a new airport in Wheatfield, New York.

In 1991, it was decided that a new terminal would be more feasible than continued renovations. The construction of the new terminal began in 1995, and it officially opened on November 3, 1997, with 15 gates and a design inspired by the region's history. The new terminal has been expanded multiple times, increasing the number of gates and enhancing the airport's functionality. Today, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport covers almost 1,000 acres and is a vital hub for business and tourism in the Buffalo Niagara region.

Passenger numbers

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located in Cheektowaga, New York, is one of the oldest public airports in the country. It first opened in 1926 as Buffalo Municipal Airport on former farmland. Today, the airport covers almost 1,000 acres of land and plays a crucial role in the region's business and tourism development.

The airport has a rich history of aviation, with passenger and airmail services commencing in December 1927, connecting Buffalo with Cleveland. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansions and renovations to accommodate growing passenger numbers. In 1955, a major expansion tripled the terminal's size and added the West Concourse, increasing the number of gates to 11.

In the 1970s and 1980s, during the "glory years" for medium-sized airports, Buffalo regularly welcomed wide-body passenger jets from major airlines such as American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines. The airport thrived as a hub for travel between the United States and Canada, with many flights "tagging on" hops to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The airport's convenient location, just 11 miles from Downtown Buffalo and within close proximity to the Golden Horseshoe region in Ontario, contributes to its popularity. In 2006, the airport exceeded 5 million passengers, a significant milestone, and it now averages between 4.5 and 5.5 million passengers annually. This makes Buffalo Niagara International Airport the third busiest airport in New York State and the busiest within the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area.

Amenities

Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a busy airport, serving 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 one of the oldest public airports in the country, having opened in 1926 on former farmland.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport offers a range of amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers and visitors. Here is an overview of the amenities available:

Transportation and Parking

The airport is easily accessible by various transportation options. The Kensington Expressway (NY Route 33) leads directly to the airport, intersecting with the New York State Thruway and Interstate I-90. NFTA Metro Paratransit provides services for individuals with mobility issues, but pre-booking is required. Greyhound Bus Lines offers transportation to and from the airport, connecting to Toronto and New York City.

Several national car rental companies have rental facilities onsite, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available for free in the Daily/Hourly Parking Garage.

Dining and Vending

As a cashless facility, Buffalo Niagara International Airport provides food vending machines that accept cash both before and after security. Lounge seating with iPad arms and in-seat plugs are located at every gate in the airport terminal, providing convenience and comfort for waiting passengers.

Internet Access

Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the airport, allowing travellers to stay connected with unlimited 45-minute sessions.

Special Assistance

The airport offers assistance for travellers with special needs. The Aira app is available to connect visually impaired travellers with trained professionals who can provide assistance through smartphone camera technology.

Fire and Emergency Services

The Buffalo Airport Fire Department responds to all fire and emergency medical aid calls within the terminal complex and adjacent areas. The department operates from a modern fire station that includes a training facility, ensuring prompt and professional emergency response.

Flight Services

Signature Flight Support serves as the airport's FBO (Fixed-Base Operator), providing private charter flights, fuelling, ground handling, and aircraft maintenance services for various airlines.

With these amenities, Buffalo Niagara International Airport strives to provide a safe, efficient, and convenient travel experience for its passengers and visitors.

Customs and border regulations

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Buffalo, New York, is responsible for safeguarding the country's borders, facilitating legitimate trade and travel, and enforcing customs regulations. The Buffalo Sector covers 450 miles of the US-Canada border, stretching from the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line to Jefferson County, New York. It includes 29 counties, covering all of Western New York State, parts of Central and Northern New York State, and portions of Pennsylvania. The Buffalo Sector prioritizes collaboration with various agencies, including the United States Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania and New York State Police, and numerous Canadian law enforcement agencies such as the Toronto Police and the RCMP.

The Buffalo Sector's border patrol activities encompass a wide range of tasks, including linewatch, transportation checks, traffic observation, boat patrol, and agency assistance. The international boundary in this sector is entirely aquatic, comprising Lakes Erie and Ontario, the Niagara River, and the western section of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

To enhance the travel experience for both US citizens and international visitors, CBP offers programs such as Trusted Traveler Programs, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry. These initiatives streamline the security process for trusted travellers while allowing CBP to focus resources on higher-risk areas.

In addition to border security, the Buffalo Sector is committed to combating human trafficking, preventing the illicit drug trade, and protecting American agriculture. The sector's stations are strategically located in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lewiston, Youngstown, Rochester, Canandaigua, Oswego, and Wellesley Island, New York, as well as Erie, Pennsylvania, to effectively carry out these critical missions.

For those seeking employment opportunities with the Border Patrol in the Buffalo Sector, the contact number is (716) 774-7200, and the mailing address is Buffalo Sector Headquarters, 201 Lang Blvd., Grand Island, NY 14072.

Frequently asked questions