Lois Larson
Plattsburgh International Airport is a small airport located in upstate New York, very close to the Canadian border. It is about an hour's drive from Montreal, Canada, and is often referred to as Montreal's U.S. Airport. The airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and has been owned by Clinton County since 2002. Plattsburgh International Airport is popular among Canadians living near the border due to its convenient location and lower airfares compared to Canadian airports. The airport has expanded its terminal building and offers flights to various destinations within the United States, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and South Carolina.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York, United States |
| Proximity to Canada | Very close to the Canadian border |
| Distance from Montreal | 1-hour drive |
| Branding | "Montreal's U.S. Airport" |
| Website | Available in English and French |
| Operations | Owned by Clinton County since 2002 |
| Redevelopment | Managed by Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) |
| Expansion | $38.5 million expansion in the early 2010s |
| Terminal | Expanded to accommodate more passengers and gates |
| Runway | 11,759 feet (3,584 meters) |
| Bilingual | Many signs are in English and French |
| Staff | Offered French classes |
| Parking | $5-$7/day |
| Airlines | Spirit Air, Allegiant Air, Pen Air, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant, Breeze Air |
| Destinations | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boston, Florida, South Carolina, Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa |
| Passengers | 139,698 enplanements in 2011 |
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What You'll Learn
Proximity to Canada and Montreal
Plattsburgh International Airport is located in upstate New York, very close to the Canadian border. In fact, about 85% of the airport's passengers in 2013 were Canadians, mostly from Montreal, which is just a 1-hour drive away. This proximity to Canada has led Plattsburgh International Airport to brand itself as "Montreal's US Airport". The airport's website is even available in French, and many signs inside and outside the terminal are bilingual. Staff at the airport are offered French lessons, and some boarding calls are made in both languages.
The airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, which was decommissioned, and the property was managed by the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC). The base was split into 165 parcels for redevelopment, and the idea of opening a new commercial airport at the site dated back to at least 2000. The county voted in favour of the move in July 2000, and public hearings were held in December 2001, with most residents speaking in favour of the idea.
The airport underwent a $38.5 million expansion in the early 2010s, which substantially increased the terminal size. This expansion was necessary to accommodate the growing number of passengers using the airport, especially those from Canada. The airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorised it as a primary commercial service airport (more than 10,000 enplanements per year).
The proximity to Canada and Montreal makes Plattsburgh International Airport a convenient option for Canadians looking for lower airfares. Many Canadians living near the border use nearby US airports, as these airports are served by US ultra-low-cost carriers, which can save travellers a significant amount of money. For example, flying to Florida from Montreal with a Canadian airline would require paying extra taxes for flying internationally to the United States. In comparison, travelling across the US border by car and then taking a domestic flight from Plattsburgh could mean grabbing a ticket with a US ultra-low-cost carrier like Allegiant or Breeze Air.
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Bilingual signage and staff
Plattsburgh International Airport is located in Clinton County, New York, United States, about 30 miles south of the Canadian border. The airport is approximately 6 km south of the central business district of the city of Plattsburgh. About 85% of the airport's passengers in 2013 were Canadians, mostly from Montreal, and it is often referred to as "Montréal's U.S. Airport".
Given the high volume of Canadian travellers passing through the airport, it is not surprising that Plattsburgh International Airport has implemented bilingual signage and staff. This is evident in the airport's efforts to cater to French-speaking travellers, with many signs and announcements in both English and French. This bilingual approach is a recognition of the significant number of French-speaking Canadians who use the airport.
The airport's website, FlyPlattsburgh.com, also reflects this bilingual approach, with information available in both English and French. The website provides helpful tips and links specifically for Canadian travellers, ensuring they have a smooth experience when flying from Plattsburgh International Airport.
The airport's bilingual nature is also reflected in the surrounding community. It is common to hear people speaking French in Plattsburgh, and many local businesses cater to French-speaking customers. This bilingual environment ensures that travellers from Quebec and other French-speaking regions feel welcomed and accommodated during their time in Plattsburgh.
Plattsburgh International Airport's focus on bilingual signage and staff is a recognition of the diverse linguistic needs of its passenger demographic. By providing information and services in both English and French, the airport enhances the travel experience for its Canadian customers and reinforces its position as a convenient gateway between the United States and Canada.
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Redevelopment of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base
Plattsburgh International Airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, which was a United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command (SAC) base. The base covered 3,447 acres (13.7 km2) in the extreme northeast corner of New York, on the western shore of Lake Champlain, opposite Burlington, Vermont. The Plattsburgh Air Force Base was designated as one of four major Atlas launching systems in the U.S. and was the only ICBM missile system deployed east of the Mississippi River.
The base closed on September 25, 1995, following the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990 and the recommendations of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission. After the closure, the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) was established to manage the 5,000-acre property and oversee its redevelopment. PARC split the base into 165 parcels for redevelopment, with the goal of transforming it into a mixed-use site for aviation, biotechnology, industrial, and recreational purposes.
The idea of converting the former airbase into a new commercial airport dates back to at least 2000. The county voted in favour of this proposal on July 13, 2000, and a public hearing was held on December 12, 2001, with most residents supporting the idea. The airport has been owned by Clinton County since 2002 and has undergone significant upgrades to meet civilian aviation standards. Passenger service at the new airport began on June 18, 2007, with the old Clinton County Airport being shut down.
The redevelopment of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base has included expanding the terminal building to accommodate more passengers and provide additional gates for aircraft. A $20 million passenger terminal was completed in 2007, encompassing 35,000 square feet. A $55 million expansion project was also completed, tripling the size of the terminal. The airport has received federal funding for runway construction and terminal construction, contributing to its transformation into a primary commercial service airport.
Today, Plattsburgh International Airport is known as "Montréal's U.S. Airport," serving a significant number of Canadian passengers, particularly those from Montreal. The airport offers convenient access to the Adirondack Coast, stretching across the western shores of Lake Champlain, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
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Expansion and upgrades to the airport
Plattsburgh International Airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Clinton County, New York. The airport has been owned by the county since 2002 and is about 6 km south of the central business district of the city of Plattsburgh.
The Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) was established in 1995 to manage and redevelop the 5,000-acre property. The idea of opening a new commercial airport at this site dated back to at least 2000, and the county voted in favor of the move in July 2000. The old base is still being redeveloped by PARC, and the airport's facilities have been upgraded to civilian aviation standards.
The airport has undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years. In 2003, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded the airport $624,200 in funding to build a passenger terminal, and the federal transportation funding bill included an additional $2 million for the terminal. In 2004, the airport received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for security improvements. In 2005, the airport received $1.6 million in federal funding for runway construction and $2.6 million for terminal construction.
In 2006, a vintage 1943 Douglas DC-3 aircraft was restored and housed at the airport, making regular air show appearances. The airport underwent a $55 million expansion, including a two-story departure terminal with three new gates, bringing the total to four, an expanded ticket counter, and a larger baggage claim area.
The airport has experienced significant growth in passenger traffic, with Federal Aviation Administration records showing an increase from 45,998 passenger boardings in 2008 to 139,698 in 2011. To accommodate this growth, the terminal building has been expanded to accommodate more passengers and provide additional gates for aircraft.
Most recently, in December 2023, it was announced that BETA Technologies, a cutting-edge electric aerospace company, would partner with Clinton County on a $41 million expansion of its existing facility at Plattsburgh International Airport. This expansion will establish a permanent flight test and aircraft delivery center for BETA's all-electric aircraft, strengthening the region's reputation as a modern transportation hub.
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Cost savings for Canadians
Plattsburgh International Airport, located in upstate New York, is a small airport very close to the Canadian border, about 72 minutes (103 km) from Montreal. In 2013, about 85% of the airport's passengers were Canadians, mostly from Montreal. The airport brands itself as "Montréal's U.S. Airport".
Canadians travelling from Montreal can save money by flying out of Plattsburgh International Airport instead of Montreal Trudeau Airport. The smaller airlines that operate out of Plattsburgh offer cheaper "no-frills" flights, although they may charge for carry-on luggage. The time saved by avoiding long lines at larger airports can also be factored into the cost savings.
To get to Plattsburgh International Airport from Montreal, you can drive your own car, which takes about an hour, or take a bus. Parking at the airport costs $5–$7 per day. The Adirondack Trailways bus takes 1.5 hours and costs $22.50 each way, while the Greyhound.ca bus service costs $42 round trip.
When deciding whether the cost savings are worth it, Canadians should consider the extra fuel costs, baggage costs, parking costs, and whether an overnight stay is required. A rule of thumb is to set a savings threshold of $20 per person per way over Montreal Trudeau Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Plattsburgh International Airport is located in upstate New York, 6 km south of the central business district of the city of Plattsburgh.
Plattsburgh International Airport is located close to the Canadian border, with Montreal being just an hour's drive away. In 2013, about 85% of the airport's passengers were Canadians, mostly from Montreal. The airport's website is also available in French, and many signs inside and outside the terminal are bilingual.
Plattsburgh Airport is a good alternative for those looking for cheaper flights, especially to Florida. The airport is served by ultra-low-cost carriers, and travellers can save time as it is a small airport with less wait time for security and lines.
