Rochester Ny Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, located in Monroe County, New York, is a public airport situated three to four miles southwest of Rochester's city centre. The airport, which was originally known as Britton Field, has been in operation since 1919, when the Rochester Aircraft Corporation launched its inaugural passenger flight. Over the years, the airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements, including the construction of Hangar No. 1 in 1927 and the addition of a new concourse in the 1980s, offering around 2.5 times the floor space of the previous terminal. Today, the airport spans 380,000 square feet and continues to serve as a vital aviation hub for the region.

The airport is 3-4 miles from Rochester and 12 miles south of Lake Ontario

The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (IATA: ROC, ICAO: KROC, FAA LID: ROC) is located just outside the City of Rochester, New York State. The airport is 3-4 miles from Rochester and 12 miles south of Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes. It is owned and operated by Monroe County, and is the fourth busiest airport in New York State, handling around 2.3 million passengers in 2013.

The airport has a rich history, with the site first being considered for 'airships' in 1910. The building initially had just one floor, but a second small floor was added in 1980 to accommodate administrative offices. The airport has undergone several expansions over the years, with the final layout being established in 1963, featuring ten gates across two concourses. The airport now has three runways and one passenger terminal with two concourses and 22 gates.

The airport is easily accessible, with various transportation options available. It is served by Rochester Regional Transit Service (RTS) buses, and many taxi companies are available for ground transportation. Passengers can also opt for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, or utilise the car rental services located on the lower level adjacent to the baggage claim area. Additionally, several Rochester hotels provide exclusive free shuttle services to and from the airport.

The airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. It features a cell-phone lot with flight-display information and an electric vehicle charging station. The departures-level roadway is equipped with a canopy that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also reduces winter maintenance costs. Solar panels and rainwater storage capabilities further contribute to the airport's sustainability efforts.

It has a square footage of 380,000 sq. ft

The Greater Rochester International Airport, also known as the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, covers a square footage of 380,000 sq. ft. This airport is located within the City of Rochester, approximately three to four miles southwest of Downtown, in Monroe County, New York. The airport is served by Rochester Regional Transit Service (RTS) buses, taxis, free hotel shuttles, shared-ride shuttles, and rental cars.

The airport has a rich history, with expansions taking place over several decades. The original building had only one floor, but a small second floor was added in the 1980 expansion to accommodate administrative offices. The airport has three runways and one passenger terminal with two concourses: Frederick Douglass Concourse A and Susan B. Anthony Concourse B. These concourses collectively offer 22 gates for various airlines, including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

The Greater Rochester International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the state of New York, handling about 2.3 million passengers in 2013. To accommodate this volume, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements. For instance, in 2018, a new cell phone lot was constructed, featuring flight-display information and an electric vehicle charging station. Additionally, a canopy was installed over the departures-level roadway, providing benefits such as reduced winter maintenance costs, solar energy capture, aesthetic lighting, and rainwater storage.

The airport also has a military presence, as it is home to the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, part of the 42nd Infantry Division. The airport's location and infrastructure, including its square footage of 380,000 sq. ft, contribute to its capacity to handle a significant volume of air traffic and provide efficient transportation services for passengers traveling to and from the Rochester area.

The airport was first used for aviation in 1919

The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is located within the City of Rochester, approximately three miles (4.8 km) southwest of Downtown, in Monroe County, New York. The airport covers 380,000 sq. ft. and consists of two concourses: the Frederick Douglass Concourse A and the Susan B. Anthony Concourse B.

The history of the airport dates back to the early days of aviation. The airport was first used for aviation in 1919, when B. W. Maynard, known as "The Flying Parson", arrived in Rochester from Buffalo. He completed the 70-mile journey from Buffalo's Curtiss Field to Britton Field in just 22 minutes. Later that year, a pair of Rochester fliers raced against two Syracuse pilots, with the Rochester team winning by a narrow margin of 15 seconds.

In December 1919, the Rochester City Council authorised the purchase of Britton Field as a "municipal aviation station". The following year, in 1920, the Rochester Aircraft Corporation proposed passenger service across Lake Ontario to Toronto. However, it wasn't until 1927 that the modern era of the airport truly began with the construction of Hangar No. 1 south of Rochester on Scottsville Road. The first scheduled passenger flights between New York City and Rochester commenced that year.

The airport underwent various name changes and expansions throughout its history. In 1928, it was renamed the Rochester Municipal Airport, and further construction and improvements were made, including the addition of Hangar No. 2. After the Second World War, the airport expanded to accommodate the increasing passenger volume, flight frequency, and civilian pilot training. Monroe County took possession of the airport in 1948 and made significant improvements, including the construction of a new runway and administration facilities.

It was renamed Greater Rochester International Airport in 1987

The Greater Rochester International Airport in Monroe County, New York, has undergone several name changes since its early years. The airport was first known as Britton Field, then the Rochester Municipal Airport, and later the Rochester Monroe County Airport.

In 1987, the legislature voted to change the name from the Rochester-Monroe County Airport to the Greater Rochester International Airport. This change occurred during a period of prosperity for Rochester, and supporters of the name alteration argued that including "Monroe County" in the airport's title sounded too provincial. They emphasised that the airport offered international flights to and from Canada, had customs and immigration facilities, and could accommodate jumbo jets.

The addition of "international" to the airport's name was intended to make Rochester sound more significant and important. VanBuren Hansford, the late county legislator who proposed the name change, stated:

> "It makes us sound a little bigger. It makes us sound a little more important. We are, but I want the world to know it."

The airport has continued to embrace its international moniker, even as flights to Toronto, its only international destination for decades, ended in 2018. While some may eye-roll at the use of "international" in the airport's name, it is a tradition that the county seems keen to uphold.

In 2020, the airport underwent another name change, adding "Frederick Douglass" to become the "Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport." This addition honoured the leading 19th-century voice for human rights, who called Rochester his home and his final resting place.

The airport has two concourses: Concourse A and Concourse B

The Greater Rochester International Airport, located within the City of Rochester in Monroe County, New York, is served by the Rochester Regional Transit Service (RTS) buses throughout the day. The airport is about three to four miles southwest of the city of Rochester and 12 miles south of Lake Ontario. It is owned and operated by Monroe County and is the fourth busiest airport in New York State, handling about 2.3 million passengers in 2013.

The first jetways were added to gates by American in 1977, and new lounge spaces were built for Allegheny Airlines in 1978. In 1986, the airline, by then renamed USAir, added a fourth jetway. The 1980 expansion also included two new lounge areas for United, each with its own jetway. In 1987, Piedmont Airlines took over the United lounge closest to the terminal and added a second jetway.

Today, the airport has three runways and one passenger terminal with 22 gates across the two concourses. Delta Air Lines has the largest market share among carriers that fly to the airport. Other airlines serving the airport include JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

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