(WNY News Now) – With excessive rainfall hitting New York state and the wider north-east region for most of the year, there’s been a lot of focus on how airports outside of JFK and Newark can support the region.
Unfortunately, even alternative airports have not been made immune from the impacts of weather, and Albany has stayed firmly in the ‘risk’ zone for rain-based disruption, according to CNN. Alternatives, including Hartford, Boston and Philadelphia, don’t fare much better. The latest statistics indicate that a huge 18% of flights are delayed or canceled.
If rain based disruption and other weather events are going to become par for the course, with all of the disruption this brings, then it’s time would-be travelers to look at what they might do to mitigate this and ensure their travel plans stay on course.
What constitutes success?
It can be useful to look at what consumers value when it comes to visiting an airport in deducing what the best operations in the area might be. A recent national survey of all airports brought T.F. Green Airport, Rhode Island out on top, and it’s interesting to see why that is. Crucially, travelers enjoy a smooth experience. Extras like food, drink and entertainment are less important; what flyers value is a well organized, speedy, and safe boarding experience, with as few delays as possible.
One airport in New York State that meets that criteria – of being fast, traveler-focused, and efficient – is Long Island MacArthur. As highlighted by the Islip town authorities, the airport has been voted the 5th top small airport nationally, with particular focus drawn to its commercial flight offerings balanced against the easy access of the airport and amenities on offer. This confirms the trend, that travelers prefer an experience based around ease of travel and speed – rather than demanding entertainment. This focus on speedy embarkment and turnarounds isn’t just limited to smaller airports.
In Buffalo, efficiency
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the biggest airport in New York outside of JFK and LaGuardia. As such, it sees a huge amount of movement, with 2.5 million enplanements every year. Such a large operation does not necessarily bring with it efficiency. Some of the worst airport experiences anywhere in the USA can be found in the bigger cities, whether that be Atlanta, LAX or, indeed, at times, JFK. Buffalo has bucked the trend through embracing new technology.
According to WIVB 4, the adoption of CLEAR technology has helped to move the queues forward even quicker. By taking biometric data, chiefly eye and finger readings, this allows travelers to keep their ID in their pocket. This obviously greatly improves the speed in queues, while also maintaining that all important airport factor – security. The security and checkin process can be stressful and difficult, even in 2023, however, and that’s why many look to airports to provide relaxation and entertainment, especially if they have a long layover.
Finding entertainment
Back in the city, and LaGuardia airport is infamous both for its delays – and its capacity to keep customers entertained. As the Wall Street Journal notes, the airport has embraced its long delays and has instead created a huge hub in which entertainment is the focus. Restaurants, bars, arcades and shopping provide ample opportunity for shoppers to blow off a little steam, especially when frustrated.
Few airports in the New York state area have embraced that quite like Rochester. As highlighted by the Democrat & Chronicle, the airport may lack in amenities for food and drink, but the entire design of the airport has been pushed towards fun – and especially so for parents suffering with bored young children. Partnering with The Strong National Museum of Play, the airport hosts huge play zones, including Etch-a-Sketch and a Toy Hall of Fame Exhibit. Good relief for the entire family.
The bottom line
Speed, entertainment, technology and services. These are what make a good airport, and are a template to follow to help passengers give out good ratings. Syracuse Hancock Airport is a place that might seek to embrace these values, given its central location in the state – it offers somewhere that could reasonably be persuasive to domestic travelers. However, according to the Eagle Online News, the airport continues to show room for improvement – for all of the reasons above. It’s a good example of where improvements can be made and where they can be the most impactful.
New York State, as a whole, has paid dues to its broad appeal – that of the city on the coast – by providing excellent tourist infrastructure. Its airports have a lot to offer, and have truly embraced the most important quality consumers want to see in them – efficiency. Through technological improvements and a commitment to harnessing that, they’ve really done the business on ensuring the state stays relevant.
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