Port Authority receives $24.2 million federal grant for runway improvement at NY Stewart International Airport

Rehabilitation project completed in 2017, restored two airport runways and replaced embedded runway lighting with environmentally friendly fixtures.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that New York Stewart International Airport has received a $24.2 million grant from the Biden-Harris administration for a rehabilitation project that restored two airport runways to a state of good repair and installed new environmentally friendly LED lights into the runway pavement, ensuring safe aircraft operations at the airport.

The project funding for New York Stewart was included in the latest round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants toward a variety of projects such as planning, airport safety improvements, airport development and airport noise compatibility grants. The Port Authority completed the lighting replacement project and the rehabilitation of 11,817 feet of pavement at New York Stewart’s runway 9-27 and 6,004 feet of runway 16-34 in 2017.

“From passenger travel to cargo operations, the Biden-Harris administration continues to make our aviation system safer, more accessible, and more resilient through initiatives like the Airport Improvement Program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Thanks to this latest round of funding, passengers across the country will benefit as we make airports from Rhode Island to American Samoa more modern and efficient.”

“We thank the congressional delegation on both sides of the Hudson River for their continued support and recognition of the vital importance of New York Stewart to this region and within the larger Port Authority airport network through this important grant award,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Runways are the arteries of an airport, so making sure they remain in a state of good repair is critical to our ability to maintain New York Stewart and prepare for the economic boost we are bringing to this region.”

“We are grateful for this federal grant that acknowledges the hard work and investment from the Port Authority to maintain and enhance operations at New York Stewart. We thank the entire delegation, particularly Sen. Chuck Schumer for his support and dedication to ensure that the airport continues to be a transportation facility vital to this region,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “The Port Authority looks forward to continuing to work with our federal partners to fully realize the potential of New York Stewart as we make strategic investments that attract additional carriers and offer new destinations to travelers across the region.”

“This $636 million investment helps airports across the nation sustain and improve critical infrastructure to advance the safest, most efficient airport system in the world,” said Shannetta R. Griffin, the Federal Aviation Administration’s associate administrator for airports.

Earlier this summer, the Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners voted to award two new leases to support general aviation services at the airport in light of its development capacity and the region’s growing demand for access to general aviation facilities. The Port Authority’s development of general aviation services through these new leases align with the agency’s longstanding commitment to grow and unlock the full economic potential of the historically underutilized airport and complements the agency’s ongoing efforts to expand commercial air service at New York Stewart.

For commercial air services, New York Stewart is an economical, convenient alternative to the region’s larger airports. It offers minimal wait times at security, seamless border and customs checks, and easy baggage claim access. The airport’s commercial air travel offerings include:

• Nonstop daily service to Reykjavik, Iceland, with connections to dozens of popular cities in Europe via PLAY Airlines

• Service to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Sanford, Punta Gorda and St. Pete-Clearwater in Florida, as well as Myrtle Beach, S.C., via Allegiant Air

• Service to Vero Beach, Orlando and Fort Myers in Florida, as well as Charleston, S.C., via Breeze Airways

• Seasonal service to Vágar via Atlantic Airways, the nation’s first and only nonstop service to the Faroe Islands.