OGDENSBURG – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Ogdensburg’s request to extend the runway at the airport there by 1,200 feet.

The announcement was made by New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who promoted the idea in a visit to Ogdensburg in July.

Allegiant Air, which currently flies jetliners from Plattsburgh’s larger airport to Florida and Las Vegas, has agreed to invest $1 million in facilities at the Ogdensburg airport if the runway extension plan goes ahead.

In order for Ogdensburg to extend their runway the airport had to justify the need to the FAA, and, according to a press release from Schumer’s office, Schumer announced that after his push the FAA has agreed the runway extension is justified.

"Senator Schumer has delivered a big win for Ogdensburg by getting our runway extension plan approved today," said OBPA Executive Director Wade Davis in the senator’s press release. "Attracting commercial airliners to Ogdensburg was a key part of our master plan, and now, Allegiant's takeoff from Ogdensburg is imminent, attracting Canadian travelers from Ottawa while improving North Country air service."

Schumer noted that a strong airport, like what Ogdensburg is poised to become, will be in line for more federal dollars. Essential Air Service funds (EAS) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars are awarded to airports based on certain criteria, including having a certain number of passengers each year. These funds help keep airports in top shape, and Schumer vowed to fight for Ogdensburg to receive all the federal funding for which it is eligible, the release said.

In order to accommodate the runway expansion, approximately 2,000 feet of State Rt. 68 will be relocated and additional fencing will be added.