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Syracuse Hancock International Airport

Coordinates: 43°06′40″N 076°06′23″W / 43.11111°N 76.10639°W / 43.11111; -76.10639
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For the U.S. Air Force use of this facility, see Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport
USGS orthophoto
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerSyracuse Regional Airport Authority
OperatorSyracuse Department of Aviation
ServesSyracuse
LocationTowns of DeWitt, Salina and Cicero, Onondaga County, New York, U.S.
Elevation AMSL421 ft / 128 m
Coordinates43°06′40″N 076°06′23″W / 43.11111°N 76.10639°W / 43.11111; -76.10639
Websitesyrairport.org
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
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]

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 Regional Airport Authority, 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 within the adjacent towns of Salina and Cicero.

History

[edit]

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.[citation needed]

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, and as a replacement, the AAF opened Syracuse Army Air Base in the suburb of Mattydale, New York. 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 to operate out of 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, the airport was expanded several times, 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][better source needed]

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

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

21st century

[edit]
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.[13]

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,[14] 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 waived $1.5 million in fees and provided $150,000 in marketing assistance.[15] Syracuse had been the only major upstate New York airport not served by Southwest. Southwest ended service at Syracuse on August 4, 2024.[16][17]

On March 8, 2022, Breeze Airways began serving the airport.[18]

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.[19] The new police department began operations on March 6, 2023.[20]

An Escape Lounge opened in June 2023.[21]

While Syracuse has had commercial service to Canada at various times—most recently in October 2018—it does not currently have any scheduled international service.[22][23]

As of 2022, the airport had several projects in planning or construction. Parking, which has reached capacity during recent peak travel times, was being expanded with new lots and a rebuild of the parking garage into two new garages. Car rental facilities were to be moved from the terminal and parking garage to a new consolidated rental car facility and ground transportation center.[24]

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.[25]

Facilities

[edit]

The airport covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) at an elevation of 421 feet (128 m). It has two asphalt runways: 10/28 is 9,014 by 150 feet (2,744 × 46 m) and 15/33 is 7,500 by 150 feet (2,286 × 46 m).[1][26]

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. Also in early 2020, high-speed taxiways in the mid-section of runway 10-28 were removed between taxiway A and the main runway; taxiway C was taken away and the portions of taxiways B and F were removed between taxiway A and the main runway. Two new taxiways were constructed - taxiway U was added as a right-angle taxiway east of where the high-speed exit taxiways used to be (between the main runway and taxiway A) allowing access to taxiway J on the opposite side of the runway. Another taxiway, labelled as taxiway Z, almost (but not quite) at a right angle to the runway, was constructed between runway 10-28 and taxiway A slightly west of where the high-speed exit taxiways used to be. Taxiway U also allows aircraft to cross over to taxiway J on the south side of the airport. During the same time frame, the main runway was extended very slightly to 9,014 feet (2,747 meters).

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.[27]

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

Ground transportation

[edit]

Taxis and ride-hailing services use pick-up areas outside of both terminals' baggage claim areas.[28]

Starting September 5, 2023, Centro, the local public transportation provider, will be providing local bus service to the airport, operating Monday through Saturday.[29][30]

OurBus and Trailways serve the airport with several daily trips, connecting to regional cities such as Ithaca and Watertown.[31][32] All buses use the pick-up area near Terminal A's baggage claim.[33]

Operations

[edit]
United Airlines Boeing 737-200 at SYR in 1993 with a Business Express Airlines Beechcraft 1900C in the foreground

Syracuse receives an average of 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,[34] most recently in 2018–19.[35] Runway 28 allows for Category II instrument landing system (ILS).

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Sarasota, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Myrtle Beach, Punta Gorda (FL) 		[36][37]
American Airlines Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth
Seasonal: Chicago-O'Hare, Washington–National 		[38]
American Eagle Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami 		[38]
Breeze Airways Charleston (SC), Las Vegas, Tampa
Seasonal: Fort Myers,[39] Norfolk, Raleigh/Durham[40] 		[41]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Seasonal: Detroit, New York–LaGuardia		 [42]
Delta Connection Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia
 [42]
Frontier Airlines Atlanta, Denver, Orlando
Seasonal: Fort Myers, Raleigh/Durham		 [43]
JetBlue Boston, New York–JFK, Orlando [44]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul[45] [46]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver
Seasonal: Newark, Washington–Dulles 		[47]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Newark, Washington–Dulles
Destinations Map
class=notpageimage|
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

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Burlington, Harrisburg, Indianapolis, Memphis, Rochester (NY)
Quest Diagnostics Boston, Elmira, Reading, Rochester (NY), Worcester
UPS Airlines Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Hartford, Louisville, Philadelphia, Roanoke
Seasonal: Boston, Gary, Manchester, Ontario

Statistics

[edit]

Top destinations

[edit]
Busiest domestic routes from SYR (September 2023 – August 2024)[48]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina 146,830 American
2 Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta, Georgia 144,250 Delta
3 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 136,130 American, United
4 Florida Orlando, Florida 125,960 Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest
5 Maryland Baltimore, Maryland 122,290 Southwest
6 New York (state) New York–JFK, New York 103,030 Delta, JetBlue
7 Michigan Detroit, Michigan 94,830 Delta
8 Virginia Washington–National, Virginia 66,880 American
9 Colorado Denver, Colorado 60,330 Frontier, United
10 New Jersey Newark, New Jersey 58,830 United

Annual traffic

[edit]
Annual passenger traffic (enplaned) at SYR, 2001 through 2023[49]
Year Passengers Year Passengers
2023 1,430,563
2022 1,265,843 2011 999,880
2021 852,641 2010 1,035,916
2020 445,213 2009 1,024,227
2019 1,293,353 2008 1,116,584
2018 1,156,458 2007 1,184,162
2017 1,038,308 2006 1,133,040
2016 999,158 2005 1,228,991
2015 1,000,722 2004 1,135,713
2014 998,900 2003 954,930
2013 1,000,466 2002 953,935
2012 988,347 2001 953,011

Airline market share

[edit]
Largest airlines at SYR
(September 2023 – August 2024)[50]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 American Airlines 394,000 13.16%
2 Southwest Airlines 340,000 11.35%
3 Delta Air Lines 325,000 10.86%
4 Endeavor Air (operating as Delta Connection) 290,000 9.70%
5 United Airlines 245,000 8.17%
Other 1,400,000 46.75%

Flight schools

[edit]

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

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c 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". The New York Times. January 1986. 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. ^ Dick Blume (May 16, 2013). "Day Two: No delays at Syracuse airport security". syracuse.com. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "Regional Aviation History Museum". Onondaga Historical Association. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  15. ^ Inside the pitch to bring Southwest Airlines to Syracuse: $1M in incentives, research, lobbying
  16. ^ Southwest will limit hiring and drop 4 airports after loss. American Airlines posts 1Q loss as well
  17. ^ "Southwest Airlines ends service in Central New York amid fleet cuts". Fingerlakes1.com. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Breeze Airways announces 2 new direct flights from Syracuse".
  19. ^ "Hochul gives Syracuse airport OK to establish its own police force". July 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Moriarty, Rick (March 6, 2023). "New York's first new police department in decades begins patrolling Syracuse airport". syracuse. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  21. ^ "Escape Lounge Opening at Syracuse Hancock International Airport". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. June 5, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "Air Canada / Air Georgian ends Beechcraft 1900 service in late-Oct 2018". October 16, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  24. ^ "Parking/Landside Redevelopment Plans at SYR". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  25. ^ "SYR Awarded $20 million for Terminal Updates and Expansion". Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  26. ^ "SYR airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  27. ^ "KSYR – Syracuse Hancock International Airport". AirNav. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  28. ^ "Rideshares & Taxis". Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ "Sy 84 Mattydale Airport Schedule" (PDF). Central New York Regional Transportation Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  31. ^ "OurBus: Syracuse Airport to Ithaca". OurBus. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  32. ^ "NYT-916". transitland. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  33. ^ "Public Transportation". Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  34. ^ "North East Chapter American Association of Airport Executives – The Balchen/Post Award". Necaaae.org. April 24, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  35. ^ "2018-2019 Balchen/Post Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow and Ice Control" (PDF). Northeast Chapter - American Association of Airport Executives.
  36. ^ "Allegiant Air". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  37. ^ "Allegiant Air".
  38. ^ a b "Flight schedules and notifications". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  39. ^ "Breeze Airways adds seasonal and new routes from Fort Myers". FOX 4 Southwest Florida. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  40. ^ Stradling, Richard (January 30, 2024). "Breeze Airways announces new nonstops from RDU to the Northeast, including one exclusive". News & Observer. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  41. ^ "Breeze Airways".
  42. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  43. ^ "Frontier". Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  44. ^ "JetBlue Airlines Timetable". Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  45. ^ "SRAA to Welcome Sun Country Airlines to Syracuse - Syracuse Hancock International Airport". Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "Route Map - Sun Country Airlines". Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  47. ^ "Timetable". Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  48. ^ "RITA | BTS | Transtats". Transtats.bts.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  49. ^ "Passenger Traffic – Syracuse Hancock International Airport".
  50. ^ "RITA | BTS | Transtats". Transtats.bts.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
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