Lawmakers Explain That, As We Prepare For Winter, It Is Important To Ensure Our Airports Have Infrastructure Needed To Keep Passengers And Equipment Safe

Schumer Has Long History Of Delivering For Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, Providing Critical Fed Funding For Key Infrastructure Upgrades Including New Boarding Bridge, Snow Removal, Emergency Vehicles, High-Tech Baggage Screening System, And More

Schumer: The Sky Is The Limit For Ithaca!

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Josh Riley today announced $6.5 million in federal funding for Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. Awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which Schumer boosted in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, this federal investment will help the airport construct a new, 23,443-square-foot snow removal equipment facility to bring the airport up to current standards.

"This $6.5+ million will help Ithaca Tompkins International Airport make much-needed upgrades to ensure safety in the winter by building a new snow removal equipment facility," said Senator Schumer. "I fought hard to secure funding for airport improvement projects in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law because I know how crucial it is to ensure the safety of our airports. As we prepare for winter, it is more important than ever to ensure our infrastructure can keep up with the needs of Ithacans, students, business leaders, and other travelers coming to and from Tompkins County. The sky is the limit for Ithaca!"

"From big cities to rural communities, it is vital that New York's airports have the resources they need to provide a safe and comfortable experience for all," said Senator Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee. "I'm proud to deliver over $6.5 million in federal funding to build a new snow removal equipment facility at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, and I'll keep fighting to bring home the dollars that our airports need to offer first-rate service, operate efficiently, and ensure passenger safety."

"Upstate New Yorkers know winter doesn't wait, and neither can the crews keeping our runways clear and passengers safe," said Congressman Josh Riley. "The $6.5 million investment will help keep Ithaca Tompkins International Airport open and our region connected year-round. Safe, reliable air service is critical to growing our local economy. I'm proud to work with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to bring those federal dollars back home to Tompkins County."

The lawmakers explained this federal funding will fund Phase 4 of the airport's project to build a new snow equipment removal facility, which consists of building a foundation, structural elements, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. In FY2024, the Senators secured $1.5 million toward the construction of new emergency services facilities at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport.

Schumer has long played a critical role in securing federal funding for key infrastructure upgrades, critical equipment, air service improvements, and passenger safety at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. Previously, he successfully fought to secure millions of dollars in federal funding from the Department of Transportation for various projects at the airport including a new boarding bridge to accommodate the increased patronage of the airport, acquiring snow removal and emergency vehicles, and securing critical Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) funding to aid in the airport's ability to market and promote new service options, ensuring their success. Senator Schumer also played a leading role in securing a new high-technology baggage screening system from the TSA that replaced the previously used manual bag-check system. Schumer visited Ithaca Tompkins Regional in February 2019 and called then-FAA Acting Administrator Daniel Elwell to fight for just under $10 million in critical FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding. As part of the Schumer-negotiated CARES Act, Schumer secured over $1.7 million for the airport, which was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, when United Airlines reduced services at ITH, he urged United to maintain current service levels to ITH, resulting in a reinstatement of routes post-pandemic, culminating in the successful push for a third daily flight to the D.C. metro area in 2025.

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