Stewart International

Harry Tembenis just sent me a story about Bradley and how Stewart is starting to provide some real competition. Stewart is example of another secondary airport, like Rockford that has been able to succeed. In recent months they have landed JetBlue and Airtran, along with the other three airlines that they already had.

Who owns Stewart? Stewart International Airport is the nation's first privatized commercial airport and operates under a 99-year lease agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation. National Express Group operates Stewart International Airport and is the United State's subsidiary of the National Express Group, PLC, in the United Kingdom. Click here to go to the National Express Group website.

The most interesting part of the story that Harry sent me is the following:

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey last week announced a $79 million deal for a long-term lease at Stewart, which served 300,000 passengers last year. The authority wants to expand it to relieve congestion at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports, and to promote economic development of the Hudson River Valley.

The authority expects to assume control of the former Air Force base by October, pending closure of the deal and bureaucratic approvals.A new exit off I-84 leading directly to the airport - already under construction - is expected to open in September. The airport is also seeking money to build an international terminal.The authority has not defined a timeline or a budget for Stewart's expansion, but says it would accommodate private jet operators, cargo haulers and passenger airlines.


$79 Million when an airport is run successfully!!! Who knows maybe the authority that owns Bradley or TF Green would see the value of ORH, but again we will never know??