There is an ongoing legislative initiative in Washington that aims to simplify travel into the U.S., potentially reducing costs for regional airports located along both the northern and southern borders.
Northern New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
has reintroduced
the Border Airport Fairness Act, a bill aimed at designating certain airports near international borders, including Plattsburgh International Airport, as official ports of entry.
The move could significantly ease travel requirements for international visitors and reduce operational costs for these airports.
“I believe that if this happens, we will have more airlines coming in,” said Robert Hall, chair of the Plattsburgh International Airport Committee.
The proposed legislation targets airports located within 30 miles of an international border, enabling them to serve as direct ports of entry. If passed, it would eliminate the need for travelers to use more distant facilities for customs processing.
Officials estimate that the change could save Plattsburgh International Airport around $800,000 annually in Customs and Border Protection service fees. The potential savings and increased convenience may also attract more carriers and flights to the region.
“I believe we’ll get some overseas flights to Europe, and I also think the Caribbean looks really promising,” Hall said. “I think it would be great for our airport.”
For many years, Plattsburgh has served as a key transit point for travelers coming from Canada, especially those hailing from close-by Montreal.
recent decreases in traffic from Canada
has already made an impact.
Breeze Airways recently announced
a brief halt on air travel
To and from Plattsburgh, mentioning the decline in tourists from Canada.
There’s a significant portion of these seats throughout the year that are filled by non-Americans, largely coming from the broader Montreal area,” stated Christopher Kirkey, director of the SUNY Plattsburgh Center for the Study of Canada. “One could surmise that this trend will continue over time and affect other airlines similarly.
Even with present worries, authorities stay optimistic that Stefanik’s legislation might invert the situation and attract Canadian visitors once again.
“There’s significant investment of time, resources, and political support behind this specific initiative, so yes, I remain hopeful,” Kirkey stated.
The legislation has garnered support from both parties, although it hasn’t been put to a vote in either house of Congress. In the meantime, authorities anticipate that Breeze Airways will restart operations at Plattsburgh International Airport during the upcoming winter season.
READ MORE:
A new effort in Congress seeks to establish the Plattsburgh Airport as an official point of entry.
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