Syracuse Hancock International Airport

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (IATA: SYR, ICAO: KSYR, FAA LID: SYR) is a joint civil–military airport five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York, and 65 miles (100 km) south of Watertown.[1] Operated by the Syracuse Department of Aviation, it is located off Interstate 81, near Mattydale. The main terminal complex is at the east end of Colonel Eileen Collins Boulevard. Half of the airport is located within the Town of DeWitt, with portions in the towns of Salina and Cicero.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSyracuse Regional Airport Authority
OperatorSyracuse Department of Aviation
ServesSyracuse, New York, U.S.
LocationDeWitt / Salina / Cicero, Onondaga County, New York
Elevation AMSL421 ft / 128 m
Coordinates43°06′40″N 076°06′23″W
Websiteflysyracuse.com
Maps
FAA diagram
FAA diagram
SYR is located in New York
SYR
SYR
Location
SYR is located in the United States
SYR
SYR
SYR (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
10/28 9,003 2,744 Asphalt
15/33 7,500 2,286 Asphalt
Statistics (2017, 2018)
Aircraft operations (2017)69,087
Based aircraft (2017)43
Passengers (2022)1,353,713
Sources: FAA,[1] ACI.[2]

History

In 1927, Syracuse mayor Charles Hanna felt his city needed an airport. Land in the Amboy section of the nearby town of Camillus was purchased for $50,000, and by 1928, the "Syracuse City Airport at Amboy" was handling airmail.

With the start of World War II, the airport was pressed into service as a flight training center for the Army Air Forces. By 1942, it had become apparent that Amboy Airport was not large enough to handle military needs. As a replacement, the AAF opened Syracuse Army Air Base in Mattydale. At the end of World War II the AAF leased the base to the city. On September 17, 1949, the Clarence E. Hancock Airport (named for the area's Congressman) opened to the public using a renovated machine shop as a terminal, and replaced the airport at Amboy.[3] The airport had three concrete runways, 5,500 feet (1,700 m) long and 300 feet (91 m) wide.

American, Buffalo, Colonial and Robinson Airlines were the first airlines at the airport. The April 1957 OAG shows 50 weekday departures: 30 on American, eight on Eastern and 12 on Mohawk. Nonstops didn't reach west past Buffalo or south past New York; Syracuse didn't get a Chicago nonstop until 1967. In the mid-1970s the airport was dominated by Mohawk's successor Allegheny Airlines, with some competition from Eastern and American.[4]

During this time Syracuse experienced massive growth and had to expand many times to handle additional passengers, this led to Syracuse becoming the second largest airport in Upstate New York by passenger volume and the largest by number of flights.[5] At its height, 3.17 million passengers passed through the airport.[6]

Utica-based Empire Airlines emerged as a regional competitor to Allegheny's successor USAir by the early 1980s.[7][8] Empire planned to move its headquarters to Syracuse, but these plans were cancelled when Piedmont Airlines acquired Empire in 1986.[9] After a legal battle with the city, Piedmont agreed to maintain a hub operation at the airport and advance funds for construction of a new terminal concourse.[10] USAir acquired Piedmont in 1989, becoming the airport's dominant carrier, but dismantled the Syracuse hub in the 1990s, leading to the closure of several gates.[11]

FedEx 757-200F similar to the one that serves Syracuse
UPS 767-300ERF

The largest aircraft ever to visit Syracuse was in 1996 when an AN-124 of Antonov Airlines flew a cargo flight from Vienna. A British Airways Concorde made a scheduled landing at the airport on September 27, 1986.[12]

The airport has a cargo facility served by Fedex Express and UPS.

A Beechcraft 1900 similar to the type Air Canada used to serve Syracuse

Syracuse presently has no scheduled international service. It has seen commercial service to Canada at various times in its history,[13] most recently in October 2018.[14]

Facilities

The airport covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) at an elevation of 421 feet (128 m). It has two asphalt runways: 10/28 is 9,003 by 150 feet (2,744 × 46 m) and 15/33 is 7,500 by 150 feet (2,286 × 46 m).[1][15]

The east–west instrument runway (10-28) was extended from its original 5,500 feet by the mid-1950s to 6,863 feet and about 1958 to 8,000 feet. In 1958 the instrument landing system to runway 28 was augmented with a 3,000-foot high-intensity-approach lighting system. With the use of the Century series fighter aircraft by the Air Force, around 1960 the main east–west runway was extended again, to 9,005 feet. The runway was strengthened in the early 1960s for the heavier Boeing 707. In the 1960s runway centerline lighting was added to the main runway and touchdown zone lighting on the runway 28 end. In the summer months of 2020, the east–west runway 10-28 was resurfaced except for the end of 10 which includes the touchdown zone of 28, as this portion intersects runway 15/33 and would make construction difficult due to air traffic.

Around the time of building the new terminal building, runway 6-24 was shortened to 3,261 feet (to make room for the entrance road to the new terminal) and continued to be a general aviation runway into the 1970s, and was later abandoned. Runway 14-32 was lengthened in the 1960s to 6,000 feet. Another extension brought it to 6,480 feet and sometime around 1980 to its present length of 7,500 feet. The crosswind runway was renumbered from 14–32 to 15–33. An instrument landing system was added to runway 10 with medium-intensity-approach lighting with runway alignment indicator lights. Runway 15 got a medium-intensity-approach lighting system.[16]

Ground Transportation

Taxis and ride-hailing services utilize pick-up areas outside of both terminals' baggage claim areas.[17]

Starting September 5, 2023, Centro, the local public transportation provider, will be providing local bus service to the airport, operating Monday through Saturday.[18][19]

OurBus and Trailways schedule several daily buses to the airport, connecting to regional cities such as Ithaca and Watertown.[20][21] All busses use the pick-up area near Terminal A's baggage claim.[22]

Operations

Syracuse receives an average 124 inches (3,100 mm) of snow annually, most of any major city in the United States. On average, the airport is closed less than 24 hours annually due to snowfall. The airport has received the Balchen/Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Snow and Ice Control over eight times,[23] most recently in 2018-2019, as of 2023.[24] Runway 28 allows for Category II instrument landing system (ILS).

Recent expansion and growth

An American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 being de-iced at Terminal B. In the background is a Northwest Airlines DC-9 parked at Terminal A.

In 2013 the airport's two concourses were connected airside along with the opening of a new centralized security checkpoint.[25]

In November 2018, $62 million renovation efforts were completed on Syracuse's terminal. Renovations included larger windows and higher ceilings allowing more natural light, a brand new flight museum highlighting the history of aviation both locally and globally,[26] renovated passenger bridges connecting the terminal to the parking garage, as well as more "modern" airline check-in areas. The project took approximately eight months to complete.

Southwest Airlines entered the Syracuse market for the first time in 2021 after the airport offered waive $1.5 million in fees and agreed to offer $150,000 in marketing assistance.[27] Syracuse had been the only major upstate New York airport not served by Southwest.

On March 8, 2022, Breeze Airways began serving the airport.[28]

On June 10, 2022 the airport announced intentions to create its own police department. Previously, the Syracuse Police Department provided police services to the airport with off-duty officers.[29] The new police department began operations on March 6, 2023.[30]

An Escape Lounge opened in June 2023.[31]

Future

The airport presently has several projects in planning or construction stages. Parking, which has reached capacity during recent peak travel times, is being expanded with new lots and a rebuild of the parking garage into two new garages. Car rental facilities will be moved from the terminal and parking garage to a new consolidated rental car facility and ground transportation center.[32]

The airport's terminal and its two concourses will see additional boarding bridges and hold room expansions. A new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility will be built to replace a smaller, outdated one.[33]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Sarasota, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Myrtle Beach, Punta Gorda (FL)
[34][35]
American Airlines Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth
Seasonal: Washington–National
[36]
American Eagle Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami
[36]
Breeze Airways Charleston (SC), Las Vegas, Tampa
Seasonal: Fort Myers (begins November 17, 2023),[37] Norfolk
[38]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Seasonal: Detroit, New York–LaGuardia
[39]
Delta Connection Detroit, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia
[39]
Frontier Airlines Orlando
Seasonal: Denver, Fort Myers (begins November 16, 2023),[40] Raleigh/Durham
[41]
JetBlue Boston, New York–JFK, Orlando [42]
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Orlando
Seasonal: Tampa
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul (begins June 6, 2024)[43] [44]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver
Seasonal: Newark, Washington–Dulles
[45]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Newark, Washington–Dulles
Destinations Map
All destinations from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR).

• Red represents year-round destinations.
• Green represents seasonal destinations.
• Blue represents upcoming destinations.

• Pink represents suspended destinations.

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Burlington, Harrisburg, Indianapolis, Memphis, Rochester
Quest Diagnostics Elmira, Rochester, Worcester, Reading, Boston
UPS Airlines Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Hartford, Louisville, Philadelphia, Roanoke
Seasonal: Boston, Manchester, Gary, Ontario
Wiggins Airways/Ameriflight/Freight Runners Express Plattsburgh, Massena, Potsdam

In addition to these carriers SYR will occasionally be visited by a Cessna 208 of Castle Aviation.

Statistics

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from SYR (July 2022 – June 2023)[46]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 137,410 Delta
1 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 134,870 American, United
3 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 127,660 American
4 New York (state) New York–JFK, New York 111,680 Delta, JetBlue
5 Maryland Baltimore, Maryland 110,400 Southwest
6 Michigan Detroit, Michigan 84,820 Delta
7 Florida Orlando, Florida 75,060 Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest
8 New York (state) New York–LaGuardia, New York 66,320 Delta
9 Virginia Washington–National, Virginia 63,980 American
10 New Jersey Newark, New Jersey 57,970 United

Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic (enplaned) at SYR, 2001 through 2022[47]
Year Passengers Year Passengers
20221,265,8432011999,880
2021852,64120101,035,916
2020445,21320091,024,227
20191,293,35320081,116,584
20181,156,45820071,184,162
20171,038,30820061,133,040
2016999,15820051,228,991
20151,000,72220041,135,713
2014998,9002003954,930
20131,000,4662002953,935
2012988,3472001953,011

Airline market share

Largest airlines at SYR
(July 2022 – June 2023)[48]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 American Airlines 327,000 12.39%
2 Endeavor Air 312,000 11.79%
3 Delta Air Lines 305,000 11.53%
4 United Airlines 263,000 9.95%
5 Southwest Airlines 256,000 9.69%
Other 1,180,000 44.65%

Flight schools

Syracuse Hancock International is home to Syracuse Flight School, formerly known as Waypoint Flight School.

The Syracuse Flying Club, based out of the MillionAir FBO, offers flight training.

See also

References

  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for SYR PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective November 15, 2012.
  2. "2010 North American final rankings". Archived from the original on May 24, 2011.
  3. "About Syracuse Airport: Hancock Field - History". Syracuse City Department of Aviation. 2007. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  4. "SYR75p1". www.departedflights.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  5. Berman, Dave (February 23, 1987). "Air Travel Soars - Expansion Could Further Lift Hancock". The Post Standard. Syracuse, New York, USA. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  6. Berman, Dave (February 8, 1988). "Hancock Officials Say Rapid Growth Warrants Expansion". The Post Standard. Syracuse, New York, USA. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  7. "SYRintro". www.departedflights.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  8. "SYR85intro". www.departedflights.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  9. "DECONTROL AIDED EMPIRE AIR". Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. "Piedmont, Syracuse sign agreement". UPI. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  11. "Syracuse Hancock Intl Airport". www.airports-worldwide.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  12. "Supersonic Concorde lands at Hancock Airport in 1986". syracuse. September 28, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  13. Berman, Dave (February 6, 1989). "Air Traffic Dips Slightly in '88 - Terminal Renovations Scheduled". The Post Standard. Syracuse, New York, USA. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  14. "Air Canada / Air Georgian ends Beechcraft 1900 service in late-Oct 2018". October 16, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  15. "SYR airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  16. "KSYR – Syracuse Hancock International Airport". AirNav. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  17. "Rideshares & Taxis". Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  18. Newcomb, Meilissa (August 16, 2023). "Centro will begin round-trip service from downtown Syracuse to Hancock Airport". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York, USA. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  19. "Sy 84 Mattydale Airport Schedule" (PDF). Central New York Regional Transportation Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  20. "OurBus: Syracuse Airport to Ithaca". OurBus. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  21. "NYT-916". transitland. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. "Public Transportation". Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  23. "North East Chapter American Association of Airport Executives – The Balchen/Post Award". Necaaae.org. April 24, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  24. "2018-2019 Balchen/Post Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow and Ice Control" (PDF). Northeast Chapter - American Association of Airport Executives.
  25. Dick Blume (May 16, 2013). "Day Two: No delays at Syracuse airport security". syracuse.com. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  26. "Regional Aviation History Museum". Onondaga Historical Association. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  27. Inside the pitch to bring Southwest Airlines to Syracuse: $1M in incentives, research, lobbying
  28. "Breeze Airways announces 2 new direct flights from Syracuse".
  29. "Hochul gives Syracuse airport OK to establish its own police force".
  30. Moriarty, Rick (March 6, 2023). "New York's first new police department in decades begins patrolling Syracuse airport". syracuse. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  31. "Escape Lounge Opening at Syracuse Hancock International Airport". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. June 5, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  32. "Parking/Landside Redevelopment Plans at SYR". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  33. "SYR Awarded $20 million for Terminal Updates and Expansion". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  34. "Allegiant Air". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  35. "Allegiant Air".
  36. "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  37. "Breeze Airways adds seasonal and new routes from Fort Myers". FOX 4 Southwest Florida. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  38. "Breeze Airways".
  39. "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  40. "Frontier Airlines Announces Major Domestic and International Expansion of Service". Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  41. "Frontier". Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  42. "JetBlue Airlines Timetable". Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  43. "SRAA to Welcome Sun Country Airlines to Syracuse - Syracuse Hancock International Airport". Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  44. "Route Map - Sun Country Airlines". Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  45. "Timetable". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  46. "RITA | BTS | Transtats". Transtats.bts.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  47. "Passenger Traffic – Syracuse Hancock International Airport".
  48. "RITA | BTS | Transtats". Transtats.bts.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
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