Airport to get 2 hangars; Responding to demand, Albany International approves construction

COLONIE - With immediate prospects for expanded airline flights at the airport still dim, the Albany County Airport Authority board has approved construction of two more hangars that could house more than 20 small planes at Albany International Airport.

The authority built its first two T hangars, each with 10 units, in 2002 and 2003, and demand has been strong. There currently is a waiting list of more than 20 aircraft owners seeking space in the T-hangars, authority officials said.

"I feel very confident that we can fill most of these hangars," Dwight Hadley, the airport's chief financial officer, told the board Monday night.

"I believe general aviation is going to be the fastest-growing aspect of this airport in the near future," Hadley said. "We don't have any prospects of note on the commercial side."

Through April, airline board ings were down 2.8 percent from the same period last year, and landing fees were down sharply. With reductions in the size of aircraft used by airlines for some flights, the number of seats available on outgoing flights also is down.

Airport CEO John O'Donnell said response to changes at the airport's private aviation terminal by new operator Million Air also has been promising, and there are prospects for drawing additional aircraft maintenance providers to the airport.

Importantly, the increase in private planes stationed at the airport also boosts fuel sales, another source of revenue, O'Donnell noted.

The airport does have vacant space in some of its larger hangars, and efforts continue to attract corporate jets, said Denise Zieske, the airport's business and economic development manager.

"We've been struggling to get that first jet located here, but when we do, hopefully others will follow," she said.

The authority board approved two contracts for construction to go ahead this year on the two additional T hangars, which have a total expected cost of $2,613,600, including design and engineering costs, installation of utilities and purchase of fire protection equipment.

The first hangar will include 10 T-shaped units for single-engine planes. The second would provide 10 slightly larger units for larger single-engine and small twin-engine planes.

The second hangar also will include a 5,000-square-foot hangar that could house a flying club or a general aviation aircraft maintenance operation.

BCI Construction of Loudonville Road in Albany was awarded a $1,858,000 construction contract for the two hangars, and Northwild Systems of Troy, which does business as State Electric, was awarded a $374,000 contract for electrical work.

A $270,000 state grant funded by the most recent New York State Transportation Bond Act will be applied to the construction costs.

Cathy Woodruff can be reached at 454-5093 or by e-mail at [email protected]

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