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It is a common opinion that it is important to develop the area surrounding the Plattsburgh International Airport. Someone asked a good question recently. What does this mean? How do we measure success?
We certainly have had a good start with the passenger terminal. Flight operations are an obvious use of a great infrastructure left over by the Air Force Base. If we were to start from scratch, this flight line would be a phenomenal financial undertaking. So it is important to understand what we have, what we can do with it and what makes us different.
We are experiencing the obvious growth in Aviation as it applies to flight operations with the terminal, flight test and freight. Of the three, freight has great potential in that it allows for a faster entry into the US from Canada and Europe than through the border. Our location is one aspect that makes us different. A second aspect is the potential to capitalize on the size of infrastructure. Unlike many other airports we would not suffer with the decision on how to meet the requirements of more and larger aircraft. A third advantage is the proximity of rail and highway to the airport. The last advantage is one which we will create ourselves.
If other airports have the same infrastructure advantage as ours, how do we make ourselves different and attractive? One important option is the supporting technology growth around the airport. Here lies the difference between Aviation and Aerospace. Aerospace represents everything that is leading edge in aviation and space operations. This would also allow us to have a powerful and distinctive tie in our technology corridor. Advanced technology means local research and application that lead to innovative businesses with potentially higher margins. A place for educational growth in all walks of life, higher wages and a reduced departure of the next generations.
My next post will cover more specifics on what supporting businesses could grow to support the existing aviation demand and that which we will create. My questions to you are: What do you Aviation and Aerospace represent? What would you like to see us grow into?
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