New Windsor, NY – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey currently must keep Stewart Airport's air traffic control tower operating 24 hours a day to accommodate the safety and business needs of the airport and its consumers and passengers. Yet, unlike at other major airports, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only pays for Stewart to operate the control tower during the day, forcing Port Authority to pay for the overnight shift.

 

U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) announced today that he is calling on the FAA to provide funding for full professional staffing of the Stewart Airport air traffic control tower. Treating Stewart like other major airports will reduce Stewart's operating costs and allow the Port Authority to expand economic development opportunities at Stewart airport.

 

"Stewart Airport has the potential to be the cornerstone of economic development in Orange County," said Hall. "But it can also be an economic engine that drives development not only in Orange County but throughout the Hudson Valley. I am committed to making that vision of Stewart a reality.  But to do that, Stewart needs significant investments in its infrastructure."

 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey originally committed to spend $500 million at Stewart Airport over the next ten years. With state and local budgets tight, the entire Port Authority capital plan has been reduced by $6 billion, causing Port Authority's original financial commitment at Stewart to be reduced. Funding air traffic control is a federal responsibility. The FAA taking over its responsibility to fund the night shift at Stewart would allow Port Authority to spend the money currently tied up in the air traffic control tower on improving the infrastructure of the airport and recruiting more airlines.

 

"It is time for the FAA to treat Stewart Airport as a full-fledged part of the airport system by paying for full-time staffing of the control tower," said Hall. "Although it would cost the FAA a small amount of money right now, the costs of continued neglect would be huge. But the benefits would also be huge, not only for passengers, but for the future of this Airport and the Hudson Valley. Stewart needs a full time federally funded tower in order to reach its full potential. I'm proud to stand with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the patrons and partners of Stewart Airport to make this request. I'm going to fight to make sure that the FAA doesn't neglect Stewart Airport."

 

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