A new terminal at Watertown International Airport has officially opened, marking a significant development for New York’s North Country region. The 25,000-square-foot facility is part of an ongoing airport redevelopment project and includes features such as a spacious lobby, updated ticketing and baggage claim areas, a passenger jet bridge, and additional amenities. The new terminal aims to improve the travel experience for both residents and visitors to the area.
Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the opening: “By investing in airports, we are putting Upstate communities on the runway toward economic prosperity and better quality of life. This new terminal at the Watertown International Airport gives the North Country the first-class travel hub it deserves and will create a welcoming environment for passengers traveling through its spacious confines, including the many soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Drum who frequently use this airport.”
The airport redevelopment received $28 million from the Governor’s Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. In total, nine upstate airports were awarded $230 million in funding as announced by Governor Hochul in Fall 2022. The initiative is designed to modernize commercial passenger service airports across upstate New York.
Watertown International Airport was established in 1928 and is owned by Jefferson County. It records over 23,000 enplanements annually and serves as an important access point to destinations like the Thousand Islands region as well as Fort Drum military base. According to recent data, the airport contributes more than $29 million each year to the local economy.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said: “When it comes to visiting and experiencing new places, first impressions are everything. Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s vision and commitment to investing in transportation, travelers arriving in our upstate airports will have a positive experience upon their arrival. This new terminal in Watertown will help create a fabulous gateway to the North Country and its many beautiful attractions, providing a welcoming environment for passengers and giving them plenty of reasons to come back again and again.”
The newly constructed terminal replaces an older facility built in 1947 that lacked several key amenities such as a jet bridge or adequate waiting areas; previously passengers had to board planes directly from the tarmac regardless of weather conditions. In addition to improvements already completed, work will begin this winter on repurposing the original terminal into space for a restaurant, offices, classrooms or events—connected via a passageway between buildings. The overall revitalization project is expected to cost about $33 million with completion projected by spring 2026.
The Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition is managed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Eligible airports could apply for funding based on criteria including innovation in design, passenger amenities, operational efficiency, and regional economic impact.
NYSDOT states its mission is “to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.”
For more information about NYSDOT programs or updates on travel conditions throughout New York State visit www.511NY.org or download their mobile app.
