Syracuse Airport Unveils Ambitious 2026 Expansion Plans

Major upgrades include new rental car facility, cargo development, and bag system overhaul.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority has announced a slate of major infrastructure projects and service expansions planned for 2026, including a $60 million consolidated rental car facility, cargo development, and a new baggage system. The airport also saw growth in 2025 with terminal expansions, new flight routes, and a $1.2 billion economic impact on the region.

Why it matters

The planned upgrades at Syracuse Hancock International Airport aim to improve the passenger experience, boost cargo operations, and drive continued economic benefits for the local community. As a key transportation hub, the airport's investments will solidify its role as an economic engine for Central New York.

The details

The airport's 2026 plans include a $60 million consolidated rental car facility, additional cargo development, and a new baggage system. In 2025, the airport completed a terminal expansion, added new flight routes with United, American, and Delta, and contributed an estimated $1.2 billion to the regional economy.

  • The consolidated rental car facility project will begin in March 2026.
  • The airport saw $1.2 billion in economic impact in 2025.

The players

Syracuse Regional Airport Authority

The organization responsible for overseeing operations and development at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Jason Terreri

Executive Director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

John Heimlich

Vice President and Chief Economist at Airlines for America.

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What they’re saying

“Coming up in 2026, the biggest one is going to be our consolidated rental car facility. That will start in March, that's about a $60 million project to relocate all the rental cars into a single facility, and then following behind that will be a lot of our cargo development and then getting ready for a new bag system at the airport.”

— Jason Terreri, Executive Director, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (cnyhomepage.com)

“For 2025, we contributed roughly $1.2 billion to the local economy, and within that, from a job perspective, just over 61 hundred jobs are attributed to the airport and what we do.”

— Jason Terreri, Executive Director, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (cnyhomepage.com)

“Everyone cross country is dealing with inflation, building materials, labor costs, some air space constraints since there are parts of the country, I think those are the real challenges.”

— John Heimlich, Vice President and Chief Economist, Airlines for America (cnyhomepage.com)

What’s next

The consolidated rental car facility project is scheduled to begin in March 2026, kicking off a series of major infrastructure upgrades at the airport.

The takeaway

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is positioning itself for long-term growth and economic impact, with a slate of facility improvements and service expansions planned for 2026 that will enhance the passenger experience, boost cargo operations, and solidify the airport's role as a key regional transportation hub.