These are some of the highlights John Machemer noted taking place at the north county airport.

Machemer, the newly appointed Deputy Director of Public Facilities – Airports for Chautauqua County, discussed with the Chautauqua County Planning Board when he shared with them the five-year plan at the Dunkirk airport.

Machemer noted that the Federal Aviation Administration generally covers 95% of all airport projects.

“That’s really unique. With our roads, we don’t get that kind of subsidy but we do here,” he said.

Planes owned by Wells are pictured at the Dunkirk airport. Wells is one of many businesses that utilize the north county airport.

That doesn’t apply to revenue-producing projects, like a hanger that is rented out or the restaurant in the Jamestown airport.

In some cases, the county will seek state funds for revenue-producing airport projects, but Machemer noted those are much more competitive and difficult to get.

For the county’s hangers, Machemer said they use Centric Aviation which is their Fixed-Based Operator to rent and manage them.

In 2024 a new airport hangar was completed. A separate hangar needs some new doors, which is currently under bid. Machemer said they hope to see the doors replaced in the summer of 2026.

Other projects they’re working on include new security gates. Machemer said the current gates are “at least 20 years old,” and need a lot of maintenance.

County officials hope to have these airport hanger doors replaced next summer.

Taxiway A East was recently completed. They are now starting the process to rehabilitate Taxiway A West. “The last major construction was back in 2006, so that makes it eligible” for federal funds, Machemer said.

There are other pavement runway projects in the works, one for 2028 and another for 2029.

AIRPORT USES

Even though the Jamestown and Dunkirk airports are only 35 minutes apart by vehicle, Machemer said “they both serve very unique needs.”

Machemer said Chautauqua Institution and the National Comedy Center are more likely to use the Jamestown airports, while a number of north county industries use the Dunkirk airport.

Some of the notable businesses that use either Jamestown and/or the Dunkirk airports include:

– Chautauqua Aircraft Sales

– Chase Aviation

– Centric Aviation

– Cummins

– Great Lakes Flight School

– Turner Brothers

– Wegmans family

– MSG Ventures/Shere Las Vegas – David Dibble

– Paul Weisman

– Churchill Family Businesses

– NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

– Atlanta Braves Pitcher Chris Sale

– Purina

– Horschel Brothers

– Accent Stripe/Gerry Buchheit

– Rose Aviation

– Steve St. George

– Wells Enterprises

Brian Bates, Assistant Manager of Airports, said oftentimes airport users are selective which county airport they’re willing to use. “When we had the runway shut down in Jamestown for our runway rehab, we talked with Chautauqua Institution people, encouraging them to come here (in Dunkirk) … but they weren’t interested. It’s just odd. You would think as close as we are, but they were like, ‘Nah, I’d rather go to Erie’ or find somewhere else to go,” he said.

After the meeting Machemer said he has spoken to officials about the county’s application to again bring commercial air service back to Jamestown and said they’re still reviewing the application.