A recently completed multi-million dollar capital redevelopment project included a new 230,000 square foot terminal, parking garage, Air Traffic Control Tower, and cargo facility. The airport has also embarked on a five-year $232 million Capital Plan to improve and maintain safety and to meet the needs of air travelers and air carriers well into the 21st Century.

A Bit of History
"Albany owns the distinction of establishing the first municipal landing site for airplanes. The first strip was located at a former polo field on Loudonville Road, three miles north of the city.

"After one season it became evident that the field was not suitable and the city's 'airport' was transferred to Westerlo Island whose long, level stretches along the Hudson River, south of the city, seemed the ideal location.

"Compared to modern-day airports, the simplicity of the Westerlo Island field had all the elements of pioneering. Yet, practically every famous airman of the day had landed there including participants in the first "cross country air race" to famed aviator Charles Lindbergh.

"It was still Quentin Roosevelt Field when Col. Charles A. Lindbergh landed his "Spirit of St. Louis" shortly after his historic flight to Paris. Aviation buffs considered his 22,000-mile tour of America to be a greater feat of precision flying than his solo flight from New York City to Paris, since he was never more than ten minutes late at any stop. Other famous aviators who landed in Albany included Amelia Earhart, James Doolittle and Clarence Chamberlain.

"In 1993, the Albany County Airport Authority was created to oversee the Airport's operation. Plans for a $184 million dollar renovation project that would include a new terminal, parking garage, air traffic control tower and cargo facility were unveiled on January 10, 1996.

"The terminal was designed to demonstrate the region's rich Dutch and Shaker heritage through its brick exterior walls punctuated with large, round windows and interior walls of maple and cherry. A long glass canopy covers the entrance to the terminal.

"In June of 1998 the new terminal officially opened. In February of 1999, the Airport officially opened a new, 1600-car parking garage. An 800-car addition opened in 2001.

Source:
See Albany Airport History by Chauncey D. Hakes, Capital, District Business Review for the complete writing.

Location: Albany

Categories
Airports - Hudson Valley | New York