Syracuse Airport: Size, Significance, And Scope

Syracuse Hancock International Airport, located 5 miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York, covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) of land and has two asphalt runways. The airport is Central New York's gateway to the world, with nonstop service to 29 destinations. The airport has a complex history, initially serving as a training centre for military personnel during World War II and evolving into a hub for aviation enthusiasts and pioneers. Today, the airport continues to undergo expansion and improvement projects to enhance the passenger experience and accommodate growing travel demands.

Runway specifications

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (IATA: SYR, ICAO: KSYR, FAA LID: SYR) is a civil-military airport located five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York. The airport covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) at an elevation of 421 feet (128 m).

Syracuse Hancock International Airport has two runways in use: Runway 10-28 and Runway 15-33. Runway 10-28 is 9,003 feet long and 150 feet wide according to one source, while another source states it is 9,014 by 150 feet (2,744 by 46 metres). Runway 15-33 is 7,500 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airport also has one permanently closed runway.

Runway 10 is equipped with a Category I instrument landing system (ILS), while Runway 28 has a Category II ILS. Runway 15 has a medium-intensity-approach lighting system, and Runway 33 has a non-precision instrument approach.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport has an extensive system of taxiways that provide routes for aircraft to enter and exit the runways at various locations. Almost all of the taxiways are at least 75 feet wide and have paved surfaces up to 12 inches thick, built on top of several feet of compacted subbase material.

Airfield size

Syracuse Hancock International Airport covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) at an elevation of 421 feet (128 m). The airport has two asphalt runways: Runway 10/28, which is 9,014 by 150 feet (2,744 by 46 m) or 9,003 feet long and 150 feet wide, according to different sources, and Runway 15/33, which is 7,500 by 150 feet (2,286 by 46 m). The airport also has an extensive system of taxiways, almost all of which are at least 75 feet wide and have paved surfaces that are up to 12 inches thick on top of several feet of compacted subbase material. The taxiways are marked by blue edge lights.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport was established in 1949, although the history of aviation in the city goes back to 1927, when Mayor and former World War I flyer Charles Hanna felt that Syracuse needed a first-class airport. In 1928, the "Syracuse City Airport at Amboy" began handling airmail, and by the early 1930s, Ford Tri-motors were routinely touching down on the airport's three grass runways. During World War II, the airport served as a flight training centre for the Army Air Forces, and in 1942, three 5,500-foot runways were built.

Today, Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York. It is operated by the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, a New York public benefit corporation with an 11-member board. The airport is Central New York's gateway to the world, with nonstop service to 29 destinations.

Syracuse receives an average of 124 inches (3,100 mm) of snow annually, the most of any major city in the United States. However, the airport is closed less than 24 hours annually due to snowfall. Runway 28 allows for a Category II instrument landing system (ILS), while Runway 10 has a Category I ILS.

Passenger volume

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is a joint civil-military airport located five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York. The airport is operated by the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, a New York public benefit corporation with an 11-member board.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport has a long history dating back to the late 1920s. In 1927, Syracuse Mayor Charles Hanna envisioned a first-class airport for the city, and by 1928, the "Syracuse City Airport at Amboy" was established, initially handling airmail. Over the years, the airport has undergone various expansions and renovations, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and improved security measures.

Regarding passenger volume, the airport has experienced significant growth and fluctuations over time. During the mid-1970s, the airport witnessed a surge in passenger traffic, becoming the second-largest airport in Upstate New York by passenger volume. At its peak during this period, the airport accommodated 3.17 million passengers. However, in the 1990s, USAir, the dominant carrier at the time, dismantled its hub at the airport, resulting in the closure of several gates. This decision likely impacted passenger numbers.

More recently, in the early 2010s, the airport initiated the "Passenger Terminal Security and Access Improvement Project," investing $49.7 million to enhance efficiency and aesthetics. This project connected the two concourses, improved security screening processes, and incorporated features like floor-to-ceiling glass walls, enhancing the overall passenger experience. By the time of these upgrades, the airport was already serving over two million passengers annually.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport currently offers nonstop service to 29 destinations, catering to Central New York's travel needs. The airport continues to explore expansion possibilities, with ongoing projects related to parking, boarding bridges, hold rooms, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities.

While the airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger volume, it remains a vital gateway for the region, providing safe and convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, with the arrival of new businesses in the area, such as Micron, there is potential for an uptick in service to the airport, including transcontinental flights. Destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles are also being considered for direct flights.

History

Syracuse Hancock International Airport, located about five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York, has a rich history of changes. The airport, with the IATA code SYR, ICAO code KSYR, and FAA LID code SYR, is jointly operated by civil and military authorities.

In 1927, Syracuse mayor Charles Hanna, a World War I flyer, believed the city needed an airport. Subsequently, the city purchased land in the Amboy section of Camillus for $50,000, and by 1928, the "Syracuse City Airport at Amboy" was established, handling airmail services. With the onset of World War II, the airport became a training centre for the Army Air Forces. However, by 1942, it was evident that the Amboy Airport could not accommodate the military's expanding needs. As a result, the Army Air Forces (AAF) opened the Syracuse Army Air Base in a suburb of Mattydale, which later became known as Hancock International Airport.

During World War II, the airport operated exclusively for the military until the war ended in 1945. In 1946, the airport transitioned to public ownership, coming under the management of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA). The airport's first terminal, known as the "Syracuse City Airport at Amboy," remained operational until 2011 when it was demolished to make way for modernisation and expansion projects.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport has undergone several expansions throughout its history. During the mid-1970s, the airport expanded multiple times, becoming the second-largest airport in Upstate New York by passenger volume and the largest by the number of flights. At its peak, the airport accommodated 3.17 million passengers. In 2018, the airport announced a $50 million renovation project to modernise its facilities and improve the travel experience. As of 2022, the airport continues to undergo various construction projects to enhance its infrastructure, including expanding parking facilities, improving ground transportation, and adding boarding bridges and hold rooms.

Awards

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) has had a long and illustrious history since its inception in 1927. The airport has been recognised and lauded over the years for its contribution to aviation and the economic prosperity of the region.

In 1949, the airport witnessed its first departure, with a Colonial Airlines flight heading to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and subsequently on to Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., before returning to Syracuse. This was followed by the arrival of the first inbound flight, an American Airlines Convair from Buffalo, New York. By 1957, the airport was bustling with activity, as evidenced by the April 1957 OAG, which recorded 50 weekday departures across three airlines: American, Eastern, and Mohawk.

The airport has undergone numerous expansions and upgrades to enhance its facilities and improve the customer experience. One notable project was the "Passenger Terminal Security and Access Improvement Project," completed between 2011 and 2013. This initiative involved a $49.7 million investment that resulted in a 147,000-square-foot addition, connecting the two concourses and centralising security checkpoints. The project achieved LEED Silver certification, demonstrating the airport's commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport has also been recognised for its operational excellence and contribution to the aviation industry. In 1970, the International Civil Airport Organization bestowed an award upon the airport, honouring its achievements in the international arena. Additionally, the airport has been recognised as a vital gateway to Central New York, offering nonstop or direct flights to 29 destinations across four U.S. time zones.

The airport has also received accolades for its efficient management and operations. In 2021, Southwest Airlines entered the Syracuse market, marking a significant development. The airport's ability to attract a major carrier like Southwest underscores its efficient management and strategic initiatives, such as waiving fees and providing marketing assistance.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport continues to play a pivotal role in connecting Central New York to the world, and its commitment to excellence has been, and continues to be, recognised through various awards and milestones.

Frequently asked questions