Written by John Fitzsimmons
In an ever-expanding global marketplace, air connectivity is an integral component for companies to remain competitive. While business needs to move quickly to compete, developing new lines of air service is a slow and deliberative process. The need for a strong public-private partnership supporting our local airport is more important than ever before. As airlines consolidate and look to operate leaner and more efficiently, there is an increased imperative to “travel global, fly local.”
To this end, the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) have forged an important partnership to support air travel out of the region. Why? Because BGM has a significant footprint in the local economy.
Did you know that BGM generates more than $52 million annually to the local economy and creates nearly 500 jobs related to the air service industry? BGM does this while relying on relatively few local tax dollars. The relationship between the local airport and our community is a vitally important component of our economic well-being. If you take a moment to think about the time and expense to travel elsewhere, you will recognize that all of what you’re looking for is right here in our own backyard.
Currently, air service out of BGM is operated by three of the largest carriers in the world: Delta, United and US Airways. These airlines provide direct service to three international airports: Detroit Metro, Washington Dulles and Philadelphia International, respectively. What does this give the local traveler? Strong connectivity to business and leisure destinations throughout the world. In fact, many of our regional employers, such as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, fly the majority of the time out of BGM to meet with customers or colleagues across the globe.
However, survival in an extremely competitive airline industry means always striving to do better. We must follow the mantra “travel global, fly local” to maintain the high quality of air service offered out of BGM. Over the last year, the chamber, BGM and local companies have met with major airlines to encourage new service out of BGM. We have identified specific travel destinations that we are confident will better serve businesses as well as the increasing volume of leisure travel — with the convenience of staying in Greater Binghamton.
We have made significant upgrades to the airport infrastructure to make travel out of BGM even more attractive, including a runway extension and terminal building upgrades. A project is being developed to upgrade utilities along the airport corridor, and just recently, BGM announced an innovative new partnership with Binghamton University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to use cutting-edge geothermal technology to remove snow and ice from the airline parking ramp in a more environmentally friendly manner and to reduce BGM’s air conditioning-related energy consumption in the summertime
We need your help. The chamber will continue this important partnership with BGM to maintain and enhance the high-quality air service that also helps to support the local economy. You can support our efforts by choosing your local airport. Fly local. Fly BGM.
Fitzsimmons is the chairman of Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce’s air service development committee.
Source: http://www.pressconnects.com
