Chautauqua County Airports – Jamestown and Dunkirk, New York

July 29, 2024

Chautauqua County Airports

Supporting Growth and Connectivity

Driving regional development through strategic infrastructure upgrades and community engagement initiatives.

Chautauqua County Airports, comprising Jamestown Airport and Dunkirk Airport, represent the aviation backbone for this picturesque region in Western New York. Both facilities primarily handle general aviation (GA) traffic, yet they maintain readiness for potential commercial service, particularly at Jamestown, which retains its part 139 certification.

Shannon Fischer, the airports’ manager, explains the current focus: “We’re in the midst of what we call an Air Service Recovery Program. We have funding to work with an Air Service Development consultant, gathering route data and analyzing passenger leakage to understand where we’re losing potential travelers.” This meticulous process aims to reclaim Essential Air Service (EAS) funding or secure a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant, which are essential steps towards reintroducing commercial flights to Jamestown.

Reflecting on the past, Brian Bates, the assistant airports’ manager, notes that Jamestown last had commercial service in 2017, with Southern Airways Express operating four daily flights to Pittsburgh. “Performance issues led to the cessation of service,” he recalls, “but we’re halfway through a business case study to recover that program. While the previous route to Pittsburgh might not be the best fit anymore, we are exploring options that best serve our community’s flying needs.”

Jamestown and Dunkirk’s significance extends beyond aviation, deeply rooted in the local tourism industry. Bates highlights several key attractions: “Chautauqua Institution is a significant draw – it’s a unique vacation resort offering a blend of arts, entertainment, and religious programs within a gated community over a nine-week season.” The National Comedy Center in Jamestown also attracts numerous visitors, enhancing the region’s cultural landscape.

Additionally, the area boasts a wealth of recreational opportunities. Proximity to Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake, and several other nearby lakes makes it a haven for water-based activities. Winter tourism thrives with ski resorts like Ellicottville and Peek and Peak drawing seasonal visitors. “Our tourism is very seasonal,” Bates explains. “Winter brings skiing and snowmobiling, while summer is all about lakes and fishing, making it a bustling time for both airports.”

Business and Infrastructure Expansion

Chautauqua County Airports are integral to aviation and the broader economic landscape, offering potential business growth opportunities. Bates discusses the business environment around the airports.

“We have some room for expansion for commercial use at both airports. The properties aren’t build-ready, but developing them wouldn’t take much.” This indicates a strategic opportunity for businesses looking to set up operations within the region. The existing businesses include Chautauqua Aircraft Sales and Centric Aviation in Jamestown, which provide repair services and fixed-base operations, respectively. Additionally, FedEx has a building on the field, though it doesn’t handle flights directly from the airport. Dunkirk hosts Rose Aviation, a repair shop, and Barnes Avionics, a new business specializing in aircraft electronics.

Fischer highlights the recent and ongoing infrastructure projects designed to bolster the airports’ capacity and safety. “Two years ago, we rehabilitated our primary runway at Jamestown, essentially giving us a new runway expected to last at least 20 years. This project was 100% federally funded,” she explains. This substantial upgrade ensures that the airport can handle increased traffic and larger aircraft in the future. The fencing around the airport has also been entirely redone through FAA grants, with a two-phase project just completed this year.

Dunkirk is not left behind in this wave of upgrades. Fischer outlines, “We did Taxiway Alpha East rehabilitation and are planning to do the west side soon, providing a brand new parallel primary taxiway.” In addition, the secondary runway at Dunkirk, runway 1533, now boasts new LED lighting and signage, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency.

Safety protocols are a paramount concern, as Bates points out. “We were just approved for a grant for a new fire truck equipped with foam testing technology. Previously, our part 139 inspections required spraying foam for the inspectors, but this new equipment allows testing within the truck itself,” he explains. This upgrade aligns with broader efforts to eliminate the environmental impact of foam testing. Training for airport rescue firefighters is rigorous, with an initial 40-hour training followed by annual refreshers and monthly drills to maintain readiness.

Corporate Aviation and Seasonal Traffic

Chautauqua County Airports serve as crucial hubs for corporate aviation. The region’s dual airports, Jamestown and Dunkirk, cater to the northern and southern parts of the county, respectively, and even extend their reach into Pennsylvania.

Fischer provides insight into the corporate activity, explaining, “We see different traffic at both airports. Most businesses flying into Dunkirk head north. For example, Wells, which bought Blue Bunny Ice Cream, uses Dunkirk frequently, and so does Ferrero Rocher. Purina also flies in occasionally.”

On the other hand, Jamestown Airport has its own set of corporate visitors. “Our biggest user is Cummins,” Fischer notes. “They fly in business jets and schedule flights for around 35 employees twice a week to work at their local plant.” However, she mentions a seasonal limitation: “In winter, we can’t accommodate their larger aircraft due to runway length, so they divert to Erie and drive over.”

Beyond these regular corporate flights, the seasonal nature of some traffic is evident. Fischer highlights, “Chautauqua Institution sees a lot of flights from May to September, with visitors using corporate charters or their own planes.” This influx ties closely to the institution’s cultural events and activities, contributing to a seasonal surge in air traffic.

Additionally, the area attracts unexpected and high-profile visitors. “We once had Major League Baseball Corporation here for a golf outing,” Fischer recalls. The presence of influential figures, often owning second homes on Chautauqua Lake, further elevates the airport’s status as a key gateway. “Chautauqua Lake is a huge tourist spot. Many bigwigs have summer homes here and fly in during the season.”

Workforce Development and Community Collaboration

The aviation sector faces significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled labor in pilot and maintenance roles. Fischer describes Chautauqua Aircraft Sales’ pivotal role in workforce development.

“One of our largest tenants here is Chautauqua Aircraft Sales. They start young kids in avionics, and most of their staff start young and stay on after training. It’s remarkable because people come from all over the world for their services.”

In addition to aircraft maintenance, flight training is a key focus area. Fischer continues, “We have Great Lakes Flight Center, our flight school, and Jamestown High School has just created a new program. They’ve equipped it with flight simulators to spark interest in aviation among students.” This initiative offers hands-on experience and directly encourages students to pursue aviation careers, addressing the pilot shortage. The school provides free flight time, motivating some students to advance to formal flight training.

Further illustrating the educational outreach, Fischer mentions, “Last year, we had about 200 kids tour the airports. Many parents were unaware of what we do here and were impressed by the tours. It’s crucial to educate the community, starting with the kids.”

Meanwhile, Fischer explains their approach to collaboration: “We work closely with the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). They help promote non-aeronautical land and development areas and support business loans for airport projects.” These partnerships are vital for the airport’s exposure and development, aligning with broader economic goals.

Specific events also foster community relations. “At Dunkirk, we host an annual Rotary pancake breakfast, put on by the Rotary Club at the airport. It’s a great way to connect with the community and showcase the airport’s facilities,” Fischer notes, highlighting how these events enhance public awareness and strengthen community ties.

Future Plans and Upcoming Projects

As Chautauqua County Airports look to the future, strategic planning and development are at the forefront of their agenda. With a comprehensive master plan in place, the focus shifts to implementing key projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure and services.

“We recently completed our master plan for Jamestown in 2023, identifying several critical projects for the next five years,” Fischer explains. “One of our immediate priorities is upgrading our guidance signs, which were flagged during our part 139 inspections. We secured bill funding for this project, so it’s on our near-term agenda.”

The plan includes additional infrastructure upgrades. Fischer notes, “We’ll be rehabilitating our crosswind runway at Jamestown in the next couple of years. Also on the five-year plan is the apron in front of the terminal, which is crucial for enhancing the airport’s operational efficiency.”

Dunkirk Airport has its share of projects lined up. “At Dunkirk, we’re focusing on a security gate project and the rehabilitation of the taxiway west,” Fischer highlights. “We’ve been awarded two state grants to kickstart these initiatives, likely beginning next year.”

Additionally, significant investments are earmarked for revenue-generating spaces. Fischer continues, “We received around $1 million in funding from the state of New York for terminal renovations at Jamestown, targeting areas like the restaurant and office spaces. This includes installing a heater in one of our primary hangars.”

Safety upgrades are also a priority at Dunkirk. “We secured a state grant to upgrade the doors for hangars one and two. These original doors need replacement for safety reasons, and this project is slated for 2025,” Fischer explains.

Beyond infrastructure, Fischer shares the airports’ vision for community engagement: “We’re looking at organizing an air show, hopefully by 2026. We’ve considered this idea before, and now we’re aiming to make it a reality. It’s challenging with our current staffing, but we plan to form a committee to help manage this and other community events.”

These ambitious plans reflect Chautauqua County Airports’ dedication to progress and innovation. By focusing on strategic infrastructure improvements and community involvement, the airports are poised to enhance their role as vital regional hubs.