Watertown International Airport
Watertown International Airport is in the Town of Hounsfield in Jefferson County, New York, six miles west of Watertown. The airport is used for general aviation, but has scheduled passenger service subsidized by the Essential Air Service program. The airport has no scheduled international passenger flights, but is available as an international port of entry for private aircraft on two hours advance notice from pilots.
The Federal Aviation Administration says this airport had 2,203 passenger boardings in calendar year 2010, 4,449 in 2011, and 16,988 in 2012. The Federal Aviation Administration National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023 categorized it as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.
Facilities
The airport covers at an elevation of. It has two asphalt runways: 10/28 is 7,001 by 150 feet and 7/25 is 4,999 by 150 feet. Runway 10/28 was extended from 5,000 feet length to 5,999 feet as an interim extension and was lengthened again to 7,001 feet opening to that length in July 2016. The airport has an instrument landing system and a medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights on the shorter runway 7.In 2017 the airport had 49,786 aircraft operations, average 136 per day: 66% general aviation, 29% military, 3% airline, and 2% air taxi. In November 2018, 35 aircraft were based at this airport: 24 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 1 jet, and 2 helicopter.
Airport development
Watertown International Airport's first scheduled jet service is operated by American Eagle Airlines, which flies 44 passenger Embraer ERJ 140 regional jets. Service was initially planned to begin in June 2011, however an environmental impact assessment had to first be completed to ensure that neither residents of nearby Dexter nor wildlife would be adversely impacted by the new service. Additionally, renovation work of baggage systems and passenger waiting areas was necessary to accommodate the new service, which cost nearly one million dollars. Service began November 17, 2011.Airline and destination
The following airline offers scheduled passenger service:| Domestic Destinations Map |
Statistics
| Year | Enplanements | Change |
| 2005 | 4,612 | 24% |
| 2006 | 3,672 | 20% |
| 2007 | 7,471 | 103% |
| 2008 | 524 | 93% |
| 2009 | 2,145 | 309% |
| 2010 | 2,203 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4,449 | 102% |
| 2012 | 16,988 | 282% |
| 2013 | 18,818 | 11% |
| 2014 | 19,307 | 3% |
| 2015 | 18,650 | 3% |
| 2016 | 17,302 | 7% |
| 2017 | 22,785 | 32% |