Passenger Gains Posted at Greater Binghamton Airport

Broome County officials say the number of people flying out of the Greater Binghamton Airport has been rising over the past year.

Aviation commissioner David Hickling says 3,339 passenger boardings were recorded last month. That's up from 3,132 boardings in November 2017.

Hickling says planes flying out of the town of Maine airport also have a higher percentage of seats filled. That figure - known as the "load factor" - was 82.5% last month compared to 75% for a year earlier.

The load factor is critical because it's used by airlines to help assess performance at an airport. Load factors are important as airlines consider adding capacity to a market.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said "active negotiations" are underway with more than one airline to secure more service at the airport. Delta Air Lines is the only carrier now providing local flights, flying between Binghamton and Detroit.

Speaking on WNBF's Binghamton Now program, Garnar said the county has been working with the business community to encourage greater use of the airport.

Garnar said the county is spending more to market the airport and he believes "those efforts are paying off."

The county executive said "it comes down to: if you don't use the airport, you're going to lose it."

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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