Elmira airport project will be complete by fall

ALBANY--Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced construction is progressing on the $58.3 million renovation project at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport. Much of the work will be completed by mid-summer, with full project completion expected this fall. The new airport plans to enhance the passenger experience and offer new amenities at the facility.
"The project currently underway at Elmira Corning Regional Airport will ease travel, create jobs and encourage business expansion in the Southern Tier now and well into the future," Cuomo said. "Investments like this across New York are sending the message that our airports are equipped to handle 21st century transportation needs and cater to visitors traveling for both leisure and business."
In 2016, Cuomo awarded $40 million toward the transformation of the Elmira Corning Regional Airport through the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. The project will significantly increase the airport's security, as well as ticketing and boarding spaces. It will also add a new jet bridge to handle larger aircraft, a state-of-the-art baggage claim belt, 300 new parking spaces, a new lounge and restaurant prior to the security gates and state-of-the-art passenger amenities.
Some of the major work, including installation of the new jet bridge, baggage claim belt and upgrades to the concourse and departure lounges, will be completed this summer. Other work, such as restaurant construction and ticketing area upgrades, will be completed in the fall. Construction on the airport upgrades began in 2017.
Elmira Corning Regional Airport was built in 1960 and has not undergone a significant renovation in more than 25 years. An average of 150,000 people a year board planes at the airport, which is cramped, outdated and lacks basic passenger amenities. Currently, passengers who board large aircraft, such as A320s or B737s, must walk onto the tarmac because the airport's jet bridges are too low.
The airport redesign includes:
• expanding the airport by more than 50 percent, raising the concourse and adding a new jet bridge (for a total of three) to service large aircraft and eliminate the need for passengers to walk outdoors;
• installing a state-of-the-art baggage claim belt to handle increased volume;
• creating 300 new parking spaces, for a total parking capacity of 1,225 vehicles;
• establishing a new restaurant and lounge prior to the security gates with food and shopping kiosks behind the security gates;
• constructing an enclosed courtyard that showcases the local landscape, built with sustainable building and renewable energy technologies, including geothermal and photovoltaic systems that reduce airport energy costs; and
• installing energy efficient lighting and state-of-the-art security cameras, and upgrading wayfinding information.
Senator Thomas F. O'Mara said, "The Elmira Corning Regional Airport is a cornerstone of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regional aviation industry and has an enormously positive impact across the regional economy. The ongoing, major state investment to remake the future of the Elmira Corning Regional Airport will create jobs, make the Southern Tier more competitive and deliver economic growth and other short- and long-term benefits to local communities."
Assemblyman Philip A. Palmesano said, "Upgrades at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport have been long overdue and this significant state investment is going to transform its facade, technology and accessibility to secure its place as a viable Southern Tier transportation hub for years to come. Thank you to New York state and the Southern Tier REDC for making this major investment in our regional aviation infrastructure possible."