New York Governor Eliot Spitzer led officials from the Port Authority and Hudson Valley communities in commemorating the first day of Port Authority control of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. Officials vowed to develop the underutilized facility into a strong regional airport serving the travel and business needs of the Hudson Valley while also helping alleviate congestion and ease delays at the New York-New Jersey metropolitan-area airports. Governor Spitzer said, "The Port Authority has the resources and expertise to help Stewart Airport realize its potential as a major transportation hub for this vastly expanding region. Additional air capacity at Stewart will also help ease congestion currently afflicting our increasingly stressed metropolitan airports

as we near their capacity and plan for future population and passenger growth." Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "As airport stewards since the

addition to Skybus, the Port Authority has been in active discussions with air carriers seeking to provide new services at Stewart, which currently offers

Hudson Valley residents, and business and civic leaders. The board is expected to convene by the end of the year.

As the Editor of Airport Press, I get a few perks and one of the best is meeting very interesting people. For example; the people who attended the Airport Press Luncheon after the formal ceremonies at the Stewart Airport Inaugural event had ended. The luncheon was at the brand new Hilton Homewood Suites and it was the first affair at the new hotel. Many Orange County and Airport luminaries were

present. But perhaps the biggest surprise was the arrival of Fred and Mary Hafer Stewart and families. The stories of the old farm transformed into a modern 21st century airport are interesting and informative and I could have stayed all afternoon listening to them. But the nicest news came a few minutes after meeting the Stewarts when the hotel owners said they were going to name the main meeting room in honor of the Stewart family. So, from that point on, it was to be called the Stewart Room. I’m an easy mark for sentimental things and this made me feel good. The luncheon was a first class affair catered by Pamela’s Restaurant in Newburgh. It was one of those memorable events where everything worked out wonderfully. We have a few photos to share some of the interesting moments with our readers.

Skybus Airline President and CEO, Bill Diffenderffer, made a surprise appearance at the Stewart Airport Port Authority Inaugural Ceremony last month. And the appearance was not difficult to figure; Skybus is coming to Stewart Airport. The formal announcement was made by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer at the ceremony marking the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s takeover of operations at Stewart. Skybus will bring its now-famous 10 seats for $10 and low fares to the New York area when it launches nonstop service to Stewart International Airport from Columbus on Jan. 6 and from its second base in Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point, NC on Feb. 25. “Stewart International Airport is a growing factor in the New York metropolitan area transportation picture,” said Diffenderffer. “Passenger traffic through Stewart is expected to triple in 2007 compared with 2006, and the takeover of the Airport by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will only accelerate Stewart’s importance as a regional airport. “We think our service from Columbus and from Piedmont Triad International Airport will contribute to that growth and give Skybus customers an exciting new destination.

Passengers flying out of Stewart International Airport this Christmas have been advised to arrive two hours in advance of travel.
As part of guidelines to help customers over the busy holiday season, the airport has suggested that arriving early for flights can lead to a smoother journey. While also allowing plenty of time for security checks, arriving at least two hours early can ensure passengers are able to obtain a parking space at the airport. This advice follows a recent shortage of parking spaces due to an increase in the number of airlines operating flights to and from Stewart. An additional 350 parking spaces are expected to be added before Thanksgiving, though passengers are still advised to allow plenty of time for parking.

And now, in time for the holidays, I bring you the best Christmas story you never heard. It started last Christmas, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops. “We have to let them know we care,” Vivian told Bennett. So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center

and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3. The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it. Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin - native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I commish - is one of them. He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard. One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and ‘62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby’s body to D.C. for burial. “That’s a lot of history for one car,” says Bennett. He and Vivian wanted to revive a tradition that endured from 1936 to 1975, during which trains carried Army-Navy spectators from around the country directly to the stadium where the annual game is played.