The Sky's The Limit For Watertown International Airport's Future

The 50-set jet touches down and a nearly full load of passengers steps off. 

But these flights aren't the only service taking off at the Watertown International Airport. 

Private jet service is, too.

Planes big and small, landing and leaving, bodes well for the bottom line.

"With all this traffic, you increase fuel sales, hangar revenue, which we were currently out of space. There's a waiting list for hangars," said Phil Reed, chair of the county legislature's General Services Committee.

That's why the airport has been busy adding on with $22 million worth of projects since Jefferson County took it over six years ago.

"Over 95 percent of it has been funded by grants," said Reed.

A big new hangar is just about finished and a new business center will cater to private flights.

"It will add a location for business meetings and executives to meet as well as a location for family members who have loved ones flying in on small aircraft," said Grant Sussey, airport manager.

A taxiway is being overhauled and a 1,000-foot runway extension could happen next year.

The county's long term goal is to make the airport financially self-sufficient.

"That's the extremely long-term goal," said Reed.

One that still might be ten years or so down the road - or in this case, the runway.