Niagara Falls Airport: Gateway To Scenic Wonder

is niagara falls ny and airport

Niagara Falls is accessible through several airports, including the Niagara Falls International Airport, which is located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of downtown Niagara Falls, New York, USA. This airport is jointly operated by civil and military authorities and has a rich history, having opened in 1928 and played a significant role during World War II. Other airports serving the region include the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and Hamilton International Airport. These airports offer various transportation options to reach Niagara Falls, and it's important to note the documentation and fee requirements when crossing the border between the US and Canada.

Characteristics Values
Name Niagara Falls International Airport
Location 4 miles (6.4 km) east of downtown Niagara Falls, in the Town of Niagara in Niagara County, New York, United States
Owner Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
Type Joint civil-military airfield
Airlines Porter, Air Canada, American Airlines (until 1956), Air Niagara (1982-1984), Empire Airlines (mid-1980s), Kiwi International Air Lines (1998), Direct Air (2007-2012), Spirit Airlines (until 2024)
Terminal size 69,430 square feet (6,450 square metres)
Terminal cost $42.5 million ($31.5 million for the terminal and $11 million for runway apron and landside improvements)
Number of gates 4 (two jetways and two ground-loading gates)
Notable features Home to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and the Air Force Reserve Command's 914th Air Refueling Wing (914 ARW), flying the KC-135R Stratotanker; also located at IAG is the 107th Attack Wing of the New York Air National Guard
Airports serving Niagara Falls Buffalo/Niagara Falls airport, Toronto's Lester Pearson airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Hamilton International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Niagara District Airport
Transport options to Niagara Falls Rental cars, airport limousines, trains, buses, airport shuttles, taxis
Bridges from New York State to Canada Peace Bridge, Queenston Lewiston Bridge, Rainbow Bridge

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Niagara Falls International Airport is located 6.4 km from Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls International Airport is located 6.4 km (4 miles) from downtown Niagara Falls, in the Town of Niagara in Niagara County, New York, United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and is a joint civil-military airfield, sharing its runways with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The airport first opened in 1928 as a municipal airport with four crushed-stone runways. During World War II, a large manufacturing plant was established next to the airport by Bell Aircraft, where over 10,000 P-39 Airacobras and P-63 Kingcobras were built. After the war, the plant was used to develop the Bell X-1, which was piloted by Chuck Yeager to break the sound barrier in 1947.

Niagara Falls International Airport has a rich history of airline services, with American Airlines serving the airport until 1956, and Air Niagara operating Boeing 727-100 jetliners to and from the airport in the early 1980s. In 2009, a new two-story terminal was opened, with four gates and the capacity to accommodate a Boeing 747. The terminal cost an estimated $42.5 million, with $31.5 million spent on the terminal building and $11 million on runway improvements.

The airport is notable for serving a significantly higher number of Canadian passengers than Americans, due to its proximity to the border. It primarily serves local and transient general aviation but also supports commercial and air taxi operations, as well as flight training.

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The airport is a joint civil-military airfield, with a new terminal building opened in 2009

The Niagara Falls International Airport in New York, United States, is a joint civil-military airfield. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces assumed jurisdiction of the airport, and the 3522nd Army Air Force Base Unit managed the airport, coordinating its use with Bell Aircraft. Bell Aircraft had a large manufacturing plant next to the airport where it built over 10,000 P-39 Airacobras and P-63 Kingcobras during the war, employing over 28,000 people. The airfield was improved with macadam runways to handle large numbers of aircraft, and an aircraft modification centre was operated by the Air Technical Service Command. After the war, in 1946, civilian aviation operations resumed, and a joint-use agreement was made with the United States Air Force for Air Force Reserve and New York Air National Guard to use a portion of the airport.

Today, the airport continues to serve both civil and military aviation. It is owned and operated by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and shares its runways with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The main runway was extended to over 9,000 feet in 1959 to accommodate larger military aircraft and was extended again in 2003 to its current length of 9,829 feet. The airport covers 1,067 acres and has two paved runways, one asphalt and the other asphalt/concrete.

In 2009, a new terminal complex was completed to better service existing air services and attract new airlines. The new terminal building, dedicated on September 2, 2009, is a two-story, state-of-the-art, 69,430-square-foot structure with two gates. One gate is a jetway, while the other is a ground-loading gate. The terminal can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 747. The exterior design of the new terminal reflects the water flow of Niagara Falls.

With the new terminal in place, several airlines initiated or expanded their services at Niagara Falls International Airport. In December 2009, Allegiant Airlines began jet service to three destinations in Florida. In 2010, Vision Airlines started jet service to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, and Spirit Airlines announced service to Fort Lauderdale and Myrtle Beach. In 2011, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways both expanded their services, with Spirit ending its services in 2018.

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It is served by airlines such as American Airlines, Air Niagara, and Empire Airlines

There are two airports in the Niagara Falls region: the Niagara Falls International Airport and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The former is located within Niagara Falls' city limits and is just a 15-minute drive from Niagara Falls State Park. It features one of the longest runways in New York State and offers low-cost flights to and from destinations in Florida through Allegiant Air.

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Niagara Falls and has up to 100 non-stop flights per day, serving 31 airport destinations. It is served by major carriers such as American Airlines, Air Niagara, and Empire Airlines, among others. The airport services more than five million passengers annually.

In addition to these two airports, there are several other airports in surrounding areas that charter flights from around the world. The Toronto Pearson International Airport, located about 78 miles from Niagara Falls, is Canada's largest and busiest airport, seeing nearly 50 million passengers annually. The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, located on Toronto Island, welcomes nearly three million passengers annually from Canada and the US.

The Hamilton International Airport is another option, located less than a one-hour drive from Niagara Falls. This airport serves several destinations across North America and sees close to 350,000 passengers annually. Finally, the Niagara District Airport, located in the Niagara Region, offers regular flights to and from Toronto, although it does not accommodate large commercial flights.

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There are three bridges to cross from New York State into Canada, with a small toll fee

There are several airports near Niagara Falls, including Toronto Pearson International Airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Hamilton International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Niagara District Airport. The closest airport to Niagara Falls is Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which is located about a 45-minute drive away.

If you are driving from New York State to Canada, there are three bridges you can take: the Peace Bridge, the Queenston Lewiston Bridge, and the Rainbow Bridge, which goes directly into Niagara Falls. There is a small toll fee for using these bridges when entering Canada, which can be paid in either American or Canadian dollars. The fee is only a few dollars, but it must be paid in cash. Remember to check the border crossing requirements for documentation and keep in mind that travel times may vary depending on traffic.

The Blue Water Bridge, Mackinac Bridge, and International Bridge in Michigan are other examples of bridges connecting the United States and Canada that charge tolls. Tolls can often be paid with credit or debit cards, but some booths may only accept cash. Additionally, using a credit card from a different country may result in foreign transaction fees.

It's important to note that even if you are travelling within North America, you will need a passport to cross the border into Canada.

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Nearby airports include Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport

There are several airports near Niagara Falls, New York, including the Niagara Falls International Airport, which is located approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) east of downtown Niagara Falls, in the Town of Niagara, New York, United States. This airport is a joint civil-military airfield, with a rich history dating back to 1928. It boasts a new two-story terminal that opened in 2009, featuring four gates and capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 747.

Another nearby airport is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, located about a 45-minute drive from Niagara Falls, Canada. This airport hosts around 100 non-stop flights daily and is easily accessible from Niagara Falls. It's important to note that crossing the border into Canada requires a passport, even if you're coming from a nearby city in the United States.

Additionally, Toronto Pearson International Airport, located in Toronto, Canada, is about an hour and a half drive from Niagara Falls. As Canada's largest and busiest airport, it handles nearly 50 million passengers annually. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is another option, located on Toronto Island, serving around 3 million passengers annually.

For those flying to Niagara Falls, these airports offer convenient gateways, with rental cars, limousines, trains, buses, shuttles, and taxis available for the final leg of the journey to the falls.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Niagara Falls International Airport is located 4 miles (6.4 km) east of downtown Niagara Falls, in the Town of Niagara, New York, United States.

There are four major airports in the surrounding areas of Niagara Falls: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Hamilton International Airport, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Airlines that have served or currently serve the Niagara Falls International Airport include American Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Air France, Air Niagara, Empire Airlines, Kiwi International Air Lines, Direct Air, and Vision Airlines.

Once you land at one of the nearby airports, you can use rental cars, airport limousines, trains, buses, airport shuttles, or taxis to get to Niagara Falls.

The airport ticket counters close 30 minutes after the last flight departs.

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