Schumer: Williamson-Sodus Airport in Wayne County Is Cut Off From Fed Airport Improvement Funding Due to Unfair Designation By the FAA

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to re-classify the Williamson-Sodus Airport, located in Wayne County, as a "local" airport in the upcoming National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) report, which is set to be released this fall. Currently, the Williamson-Sodus Airport remains "unclassified," along with nearly 300 other airports around the nation, and this lack of status cuts it off from an automatic annual allotment of $150,000 it had been receiving from the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides funding to airports for planning and development projects. Schumer explained that, back in 2012, the FAA divided general aviation (GA) airports into four categories that would make them eligible for AIP funding: national, regional, local, and basic. However, nearly 500 airports were left as "unclassified," and were deemed ineligible for FAA AIP funding. A follow-up report reclassified more than 200 airports, but still left Williamson-Sodus "unclassified." Schumer explained that the FAA stipulated that a "local" airport must either have more than 10 instrument operations and over 15 based aircraft, or host at least 2,500 passenger enplanements. Schumer said that Williamson-Sodus Airport clearly meets these criteria, as it hosts hundreds of instrument operations annually, and has 74 based aircraft. The airport also had over 26,000 operations--arrivals and departures--last year alone. Based on these figures, Schumer stated that is clear the Williamson-Sodus Airport exceeds the minimum qualifications for a "local" airport and should be designated as such. Being classified as a "local" airport will allow Williamson-Sodus to be eligible for AIP funding, a program it has paid into for years.

"The FAA needs to alter its mistake in misclassifying the Williamson-Sodus Airport so that this vital hub of the regional economy can once again receive the vital federal investments it needs to grow and thrive," said Schumer. "Williamson-Sodus Airport contributes $2.7 million to the local economy and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in local and state taxes for Wayne County. Local employers and family farms all use the airport and it even helps support U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps operations in the area, making it a real asset to the entire Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

"However, the Federal Aviation Administration unfairly left Williamson-Sodus as "unclassified' back in 2012, and again in 2014, making it ineligible for the federal assistance and Airport Improvement Program funds it has paid into and previously received for the past two decades," said Schumer. "This "unclassified' designation is not fair to the airport, which clearly meets the criteria set out by the FAA and whose very viability might be at stake because of the lack of classification. That is why I am calling on the FAA to correct this designation, which will allow Williamson-Sodus to continue as a driver of economic development in Wayne County and the entire Rochester-Finger Lakes area."

"Williamson-Sodus Airport appreciates the efforts of Senator Schumer to rectify this wrong and ensure that our airport is reclassified as a "local' public-use reliever airport," said Randy Christian, President of the Williamson Flying Club of the Williamson-Sodus Airport. "Williamson-Sodus is a growing, vibrant airport that supports Wayne County's economy, the US Coast Guard, and many local businesses. We remain hopeful that the FAA will heed Senator Schumer's call and correct our classification quickly so that we can remain eligible for critical federal funding."

Schumer explained FAA funding for airport projects, including AIP, is generated by tax revenue on aviation activities, not by taxes to the general public. Because of this, the Williamson-Sodus Airport has helped fund the AIP program through its taxes on aviation fuel. Schumer said that it is unfair that an airport like Williamson-Sodus, with sustained high levels of activity, has helped fund a program for which it was made, incorrectly, ineligible. Schumer said that, without the FAA AIP funding, the airport may no longer be financially viable. Since 1993, Williamson-Sodus has received nearly $10,000,000 from the FAA; these funds have helped it make important upgrades to its operations and service. If this funding stream is completely cut off, it could jeopardize the entire airport, which is a vital part of the local economy.

The Williamson-Sodus Airport is a public-use reliever airport, privately owned by the Williamson Flying Club, Inc., a not-for-profit NYS corporation. Williamson-Sodus has become a critical component of Wayne County, with figures from the FAA and New York State showing that the airport contributes approximately $2.7 million annually to the local economy, and generates roughly $152,000 a year in state and local taxes. These taxes include property and school taxes, since the Williamson Flying Club Inc. is not a tax-exempt entity.

In addition, many local companies rely on the airport to support their business and commercial activities. Some of these companies include Seneca Foods, Motts (Dr. Pepper/Snapple), Williamson Cold Storage and many other small businesses that use Williamson-Sodus as a means of transportation in support of the local economy. The airport has also provided support to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army National Guard, showing that Williamson-Sodus has a clear federal role in the National Airspace System and should be eligible for federal assistance and this AIP funding.

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