Yes, the current economy has been disastrous for the aviation industry – no avoiding it. But Diannae Ehler, General Manager of Stewart International Airport reported November 17, 2009 to the Stewart Airport Commission that despite the downturn, Stewart is holding its passenger numbers steady.

Stewart is predicted to end up serving 400,000 passengers for 2009, approximately 30,000 a month, according to Ehler, and these numbers have remained consistent throughout the year. Although respectable, these numbers are down from the peak of 900,000 a month in 2007, when the Port Authority of NY purchased the entity.

Poised for the economic recovery, Stewart is prepping to be ready for when airlines return and passengers return with them. They are marketing area restaurants and hotels, as well as the ideal location situated nicely in the quad-state area: NY, NJ, CT and PA.

In the mid-1990s, airlines significantly reduced their flights to Stewart, but the Port Authority is reaching out to recruit major airlines to return. To get the numbers up locally, the PA is conducting a business travel survey to learn how and when the local community is using the airport — or why they are not.

Airlines are filing for bankruptcy, nearly 150,000 full-time industry jobs lost, and an overwhelming sense of demise often seems inescapable. But wait — it’s not all doom and gloom! Here in the Hudson Valley, things are actually not so bad.