The Peru Gazette

PLATTSBURGH, NY—Today, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it will award Plattsburgh International Airport $2,480,667.00 to expand its terminal. Congressman Bill Owens and Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature Jim Langley applauded the announcement.

“This is great news for the Plattsburgh community and for the many tourists, business travelers and residents who use Plattsburgh International Airport,” U.S. Congressman Bill Owen said. “An expanded terminal will help make travel more convenient and allow the airport to handle the growing number of Canadian travelers who fly from Plattsburgh and, in doing so, boost the local economy,” Congressman Owens said.

Located about an hour’s drive from Montreal, Canada, Plattsburgh International Airport has seen an influx of travelers crossing the border for cheaper U.S. flights. The New York Times recently reported as many as five million Canadians travel to American airports on the border for cheaper fares each year. The same article reported that the average trip costs Canadians 30 percent less when they fly from America.

Jim Langley, Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature, also applauded the DOT’s announcement. “Clinton County is very happy, in an incredibly difficult year, to be receiving $2.4 Million in discretionary funds from the FAA,” he said. “Equally satisfying is knowing the county will be able to use those funds to continue our advancement of such a worthy project as Plattsburgh International, which has seen so much success since its opening in 2007. We thank our members of Congress for their help in delivering our message.”

This is the second major grant the DOT has given to Plattsburgh International in less than a month. On August 23^rd, Congressman Owens announced the airport would receive $2.5 Million for improving its water and wastewater systems.