Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Service topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Legislature hears Air Service Board plan as officials weigh costly customs facility
Summary
Air Service Board described efforts to secure revenue guarantees and university partnerships to support Ithaca Tompkins International Airport; staff and legislators cautioned that the customs facility is operating at a deficit and may be closed unless revenues improve or repurposing is approved.
Greg Nazzi, speaking for the Air Service Board, summarized the board's advisory role and current initiatives to sustain and grow air service at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. He said the board pursues community revenue guarantees to assure airlines and partners and works with Cornell University, Ithaca College and local hotels to drive demand.
"A revenue guarantee is something that an airline who's looking to bring in a new service would say, hey we need to make sure for a period of time that we hit this revenue," Nazzi explained, adding that revenue guarantees historically have been provided by private and nonprofit partners, not the county. Legislators pressed him on whether Cornell would underwrite guarantees; Nazzi said he would follow up on the university's position.
Committee members and staff also addressed the customs facility. Roxanne (airport staff) reported limited customs use (six cleared customs flights through May) and said the county can end its customs-agent agreement with 120 days' notice and may consider repurposing the building. Legislators noted the customs facility is operating at a significant deficit and asked staff to return options to the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, including potential closure or alternative uses.
The legislature approved several airport-related resolutions at the same meeting — runway and taxiway design, an updated airport master plan, and equipment purchases — with anticipated FAA and NYSDOT grant support. Lawmakers said the strategic plan and follow-up committee reports will include options for the customs facility.
