Lawmakers Advocate for $250M in State Budget for Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airport Upgrades

Western New York lawmakers are intensifying efforts to secure $250 million in the upcoming state budget to modernize and expand the region's primary airports.

 

They argue that both the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport have been overlooked in previous state revitalization programs, despite Buffalo's status as the busiest airport in upstate New York.

 

If approved, this funding would enable these airports to compete for essential upgrades aimed at enhancing facilities and bolstering local employment.

 

Assemblymember Patrick Chludzinski emphasized the bipartisan support for this initiative, stating, "Democrat and Republican, city and suburban, we all recognize the tremendous value of the international value here in Buffalo and the Niagara Falls International Airport to bring our regional economy to the Western New York residents and out of town guests who travel through them."

 

The state budget is due by April 1.

 

Assemblymember John Rivera highlighted the economic implications, noting, "Not only does this employ many, many people, but we know that the future of the economy is a global one. And we know that in order to compete in that economy, we need to have an airport that is reflective of today, not of yesterday."

 

State Senator April Baskin added, "Buffalo Niagara International Airport is by far the busiest Upstate airport, yet Western New York has been completely excluded from a program that has transformed aviation infrastructure across the rest of Upstate. Our airports support nearly 14,000 jobs, and generate $139 million in tax revenue every year. That kind of impact deserves the opportunity to compete for investment. A third round of funding is about equity, smart infrastructure investment, and ensuring Western New York travelers are not paying more simply because our region was left out. It’s time to give Western New York the runway it deserves."

 

Recent federal investments have already begun to address some infrastructure needs. In February 2026, nearly $1.5 million was allocated for new snow-clearing equipment at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, enhancing operational efficiency during harsh winter conditions.

 

Additionally, in July 2025, the airport received $2.5 million for the development of a state-of-the-art system to capture and treat deicing fluid, underscoring ongoing efforts to modernize facilities and improve environmental sustainability.

 

Despite these advancements, local leaders stress that substantial state funding is crucial to comprehensively address the modernization and expansion needs of both airports, ensuring they remain competitive and continue to drive regional economic growth.