Plattsburgh: Montreal’s U.S. Airport (Plattsburgh International Airport nickname)
Plattsburgh (NY) International Airport gave itself a nickname in an August 18, 2005 press release:
“It is being recognized as ‘MONTREAL’S U.S. AIRPORT’ based on its strategic location just one hour south of downtown Montreal, conveniently accessible for the 3.5 million people and extensive aerospace sector in metropolitan Montreal.”
The nickname “Montreal’s U.S. Airport” was put on Plattsburgh International Airport’s website, and the airport has signs in English and in French. Many flights out of Plattsburgh are cheaper than similar flights from Montreal.
Wikipedia: Plattsburgh International Airport
Plattsburgh International Airport (IATA: PBG
KPBG, FAA LID: PBG) is a county public use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) south of the central business district of Plattsburgh, a city in Clinton County, New York, United States.
The airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and has been owned by Clinton County since 2002.
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It also has significant multi-modal capabilities, including its own interchange on the Interstate Highway System (Exit 36 of I-87), a direct rail spur from the main Canadian Pacific Railway line between Montreal and New York City; and direct rail and highway access to the Port of Montreal just 60 miles (97 km) north. Plattsburgh International promotes itself as “Montreal’s U.S. Airport,” standing just one hour from downtown Montreal. 75% of passengers departing Plattsburgh International are Canadian.
Aviation Pros
Plattsburgh International Airport Breaks Ground on Terminal
AUG 18, 2005 SOURCE: PLATTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PRESS RELEASE
In 1995, Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Plattsburgh, N.Y. was officially closed, leaving the 5000 acre facility with an uncertain future. Just ten years later, it has become an economic success story and a profitable air industrial park known as Plattsburgh International Airport.
Today (August 16, 2005), that rapid evolution from air force to airport took its final historic step as ground was broken for the construction of more than $20 million (U.S.) worth of new facilities, including a much anticipated passenger terminal. Already a fully operating industrial airport with several aviation tenants and a number of other companies on site, Plattsburgh International will now be fully ready for passenger operations by 2007. It is being recognized as “MONTREAL’S U.S. AIRPORT” based on its strategic location just one hour south of downtown Montreal, conveniently accessible for the 3.5 million people and extensive aerospace sector in metropolitan Montreal.
6 September 2007, Burlington (VT) Free Press, “Airline tapping Canadian market” by Dan McLean, pg. A9:
Canadian air travelers—which are being sought by airports in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Burlington—are the primary reason Allegiant Air LLC is starting service in Plattsburgh in mid-November. The Las Vegas-based airline will offer nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., twice a week.
Plattsburgh International Airport—which is billing itself as “Montreal’s U.S. Airport”—is hoping to capitalize on its proximity to Canada’s second-largest city. Allegiant Air is the second airline that will serve Plattsburgh, said Garry Douglas, president of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, which handles the airport’s marketing.
Twitter
NHL Playoff
@nhlplayoff
Montreal’s U.S. airport – Canadians voting with their feet ... http://bit.ly/9QpnJL
6:20 PM - 11 Feb 2010
USA Today
Some Canadians cross border to fly in U.S.
By Charisse Jones, USA TODAY
Updated 3/2/2010 7:52 AM
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U.S. airports make great efforts to woo and welcome Canadian travelers. Plattsburgh International Airport, which says that 85% of its passengers are Canadian, bills itself as “Montreal’s U.S. airport” and sometimes broadcasts a Montreal radio station, with songs in French and English, in its terminal.
Twitter
Juan Bayaspequeñas
@realet
Montreal’s US Airport indeed. Parking lot has more Quebec license plates than anything else.
8:03 AM - 19 Apr 2010
Twitter
Geoff Edlins
@gpe
Plattsburgh Airport, in New York, bills itself “Montréal’s US airport” & even has a French website. (via Monocle)
1:09 PM - 14 Oct 2011
The Economist
Flying fees
Why Canadians head south to fly
Jun 8th 2012, 11:43 BY A.H. | TORONTO
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As a result, many American airports near the border with Canada have stepped up their efforts to attract Canadian flyers. New York state’s Plattsburgh International Airport, one hour south of Montreal, has even gone so far as to proclaim itself “Montreal’s US Airport”, and rightfully so since 85% of its passengers come from Canada. Since 75% of Canada’s population lives within 90 minutes of the US, it’s no great hardship to drive south to take advantage of lower American fares.
CTV Montreal
Plattsburgh International: “Montreal’s U.S. airport”
Published Saturday, January 4, 2014 9:59PM EST
Last Updated Saturday, January 4, 2014 11:55PM EST
Plattsburgh has been a popular destination for Montreal shoppers for years, but lately the small town of about 20,000 has become even more popular with travelers.
That comes thanks to the relatively inexpensive flights out of the town’s international airport, which is trying hard to keep up with an ever increasing demand.
The airport was formerly an air force base, which closed in 1995, it reopened as a civilan airport in 2007.
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“We’re Montreal’s U.S. suburb hosting Montreal’s U.S. airport and we want folks to feel that way,” said Garry Douglas of the Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
National Post (Canada)
Cheaper U.S. border airports are often a booming business because they are subsidized by American taxes
Jennifer Hough | July 4, 2014 6:28 PM ET
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Montreal
Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Plattsburgh calls itself “Montreal’s U.S. Airport,” and features bilingual signs inside and out. It is estimated that more than 70% of the passengers using the airport are from Quebec. The airport’s website states: “Montreal boasts 3.5 million residents who love to travel — including to Plattsburgh, which serves as Montreal’s U.S. suburb.” The site also has handy tips and links specifically for Canadians flying from Plattsburgh.
Seven Days
AUGUST 26, 2016
Taking Off: Plattsburgh Airport Is Drawing More Flights, Travelers
By MARK DAVIS @DAVIS7D
There is nothing subtle about the marketing strategy that Plattsburgh International Airport is using to fuel its expansion. Its website provides updates on wait times at Québec border crossings and webcam footage of border traffic. Signs in the airport are in French and English. Increasingly, once-sleepy PBG is calling itself “Plattsburgh International Airport, Montréal’s U.S. Airport.”