The Dunkirk and Jamestown airports have seen an increase in activity from 2024.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s newest airport leader says things are strong at the county’s two airports.

John Machemer is now listed on the county’s website as the Deputy Director of Public Facilities – Airports. He takes over for Shannon Fischer who had been serving as the manager of the county’s two airports.

Machemer gave a presentation to the legislature’s Public Facilities Committee, where he discussed increased use of the both airports, more so in Jamestown; the search for a business to lease the county restaurant after two businesses bowed out in the last three years; upgrades sought; and the possibility of a large-scale airshow in the future.

There was some talk about the possibility of commercial air service returning to Jamestown, but no new details were announced.

USAGE

Through May, which were the most recent figures available, Machemer said in Jamestown, $2,115 worth of fuel has been purchased, which is nearly double what was purchased by May in 2024.

“Being at the airport, it’s been busy. A lot of corporate traffic, primarily Fridays, Mondays, things like that. People coming to the area for tourism and the lake and things like that,” he said.

In Dunkirk, $1,498 worth of fuel had been purchased as of May, up from $1,392 by May 2024.

Machemer said there is a fixed based operator who sells the fuel and the county gets a portion of that.

As of June, there were 1,200 arrivals/departures in Jamestown and 398 in Dunkirk. In addition there have been 74 jet operations in Jamestown and 30 in Dunkirk.

SEEKING TENANTS

Machemer said they have a 25,000 square foot hanger that they have been advertising for bids. A decision could come next week or two as to who to lease it to.

Machemer said they are currently advertising the Jamestown airport restaurant. He said a Request For Proposals will be going out soon.

In 2022 Studio D Catering entered into a six-month lease at $500 a month, but chose not to renew it when it expired.

Then in the fall Basil & Bones agreed to rent the airport restaurant at a cost of $400 a month through April. County officials said at the time Basil & Bones was planning on renewing its lease and would open a full service restaurant, but the lease was not renewed.

COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE

In December, the county legislature heard from Evan Berg, the director of Air Service Development & Project Lead who did a study regarding commercial air service at the Chautauqua County Airport – Jamestown. After the presentation, Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, R-Ellery, said the next step would be for the consultants to pursue federal subsidies and then talk with potential airlines who may be interested in serving the Jamestown market.

At the July Public Facilities Committee meeting, Machemer said funding is still being pursued. “We’re essentially at the same spot, waiting to hear back on the applications,” he said.

AIRPORT UPGRADES

The new security fence and the runway rehabilitation project, both at the Jamestown airport, have been completed. A separate runway upgrade is currently in design with a completion goal in 2027.

The Jamestown airport is also getting an upgrade to its terminal. The final design is anticipated by the end of the year. If approved, work would begin in the spring.

Machemer said the upgrade would “spruce up the terminal building.”

Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, questioned if it should be done now. “If we don’t get this air service, do we just put a halt on that or do we continue? What’s the need for it if there’s nobody flying in and out?” he asked.

Machemer replied, “With the jet traffic and Cummins and other folks that are using that space, there’s quite a bit bigger audience than just potential air service.”

He noted that it’s been a number of years since the terminal has been upgraded, adding “this would be an opportune time to get this done and we have the benefit of that with the federal funding.”

The majority of improvements done at the county airports are funded by the federal government, with only a fraction coming from the county and the state.

Still, Scudder questioned the need, noting that he’s familiar with the terminal because he visits the Jamestown airport every month for one of his committees. “It’s a pretty nice facility as is. I’m not saying there aren’t areas that could be better but it looks pretty much like, ‘add water and stir’ and you’ve got a terminal building,” he said.

Machemer shared that there will be “no structural changes” although one interior wall may be moved. Other planned work includes improvements to the bathrooms, lighting and ceiling tiles.

In Jamestown, they are in the process of replacing the airfield guidance sign.

In Dunkirk, they want to replace the security gates, but the bids came in over budget so that project will be re-bid.

They’ve also begun preliminary design work on rehabilitating a taxiway in Dunkirk.

FUTURE EVENTS

The Dunkirk airport is hosting the annual Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary breakfast on Sunday.

On Sept. 27 will be a “Stomp out the Stigma” 5k run/walk on the Jamestown airport runway.

In addition, Machemer added that they are “in the early planning stages for a potential 2027 airshow” in Jamestown. He did not provide any further details.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Scudder, who generally votes against any projects at the county airports that require federal funding, said he is concerned that there’s not a plan in place for the two airports.

“What frustrates me personally is we do these studies and then we put the studies away and we move on,” he said. “It seems like we’re good at just doing the business, what we do day-to-day. … What I’d like to see more is ‘what’s the plan? I’ve never really gotten the plan.'”

Machemer thanked Scudder for his comments.

“I look forward to working with you,” he said.