Gov. Hochul Announces Completion of Expansion & Modernization Project at SYR Airport

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that work has been completed on a project to enhance the passenger experience at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, creating a world-class travel hub that will benefit the entire Central New York region. The expansion and modernization project, which was awarded $20 million from the Governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, is part of New York State’s continuing commitment to build out Syracuse’s airport to facilitate increased passenger traffic and accommodate the generational changes taking place in the area’s economic landscape. New features include an expanded North Concourse with additional seating, concession areas and improved passenger flow. The project also renovated the second floor of the terminal building in the location of gate 15 to expand the Federal Inspection Station facility, ensuring the airport retains its international designation.

“Central New York is on the precipice of a new era of unprecedented growth and economic transformation that will make it a national model and it’s imperative that our transportation infrastructure is ready for the challenge,” Governor Hochul said. “The improvements we have made to Syracuse Hancock International Airport give Central New York the first-class travel hub it deserves and will provide visitors with a wonderful first impression that will keep them coming back again and again, further fueling the region’s historic growth.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State is making historic investments in our upstate airports — transforming them into modern gateways, welcoming visitors from all over the world and fueling tourism and economic growth. Nowhere is that more evident than in Syracuse, where the Governor is investing in transformative transportation infrastructure — from I-81 to Syracuse Hancock International Airport, where we have created a world-class facility that will welcome the travelers of today and help usher in the exciting future that awaits Central New York.”

Additionally, the New York State Department of Transportation has completed a $10.5 million rehabilitation of the Airport Boulevard (Colonel Eileen Collins Boulevard) bridges over Interstate 81, easing travel to and from the airport.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport was one of nine upstate airports awarded a total of $230 million in the latest round of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition funding announced by Governor Hochul in 2022.The awards are intended to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century.

Built in 1949, Syracuse Hancock serves as a catchment area that stretches from the Canadian border to Pennsylvania and handles several commercial carriers. With continued support from New York State, activity at the airport has continued to grow. The airport handled more than three million passengers in 2024, an increase of 5.2 percent from the prior year. Enplanements have surged from 840,994 in 2021 to nearly 1.5 million in 2024. The latest data from a State Department of Transportation study estimated that the airport’s annual economic impact exceeds $864.5 million.

The new improvement project, which had a total estimated cost of $28.4 million, added more than 4,000 square feet to the North Concourse — which serves approximately 40 percent of the passengers traveling through the facility each year — providing room for improved passenger flow, additional seating areas and concession space. The design features optimal natural ventilation for improved air quality, promotes energy efficiency through the use of dynamic window panels to increase natural lighting and new lighting controls and sensors that reduce non-essential lighting during off-times. High efficiency building equipment will also improve the airport’s sustainability.

Upgrades to the airport’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Federal Inspection Station (FIS) ensure the facility meets the latest CBP standards and preserves the airport’s international designation, including its ability to handle both international passengers and cargo operations. The project installed the latest FIS equipment for international operations that will allow for the processing of 200 passengers per hour, replacement of a jet bridge, installation of a new elevator tower and baggage carousel, and the creation of an additional hold room and boarding space. The project also installed a new wayfinding lighting control system and support for hearing-impaired passengers.

This project at Syracuse Hancock builds on the successful terminal renovation project that was completed in 2018 and, among other improvements, expanded the main passenger terminal and constructed a new exterior façade and canopy over the passenger drop-off area.

The Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation and was open to upstate commercial passenger service airports and airports providing specialized service for commercial aircraft and/or corporate jets. Applicants were encouraged to apply for funding a single project or a program of projects to help meet the demands of the 21st century. Projects submitted for review by eligible airports were evaluated based on established criteria, including but not limited to innovation in design, passenger amenities and experience, operational efficiencies, and economic effectiveness for the airport’s region.

Article and photos from the NYS DOT and Governor Kathy Hochul's office. Click here to view the entire article.