Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located in Cheektowaga CDP which is the Town of Cheektowaga in the Erie County. It is in New York, USA. The airport is named after Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area. This airport serves the Buffalo, New York and also Southern Ontario which is in Canada. This is the busiest airport in Upstate New York and is the third busiest in the state of New York as per the number of boarding. Officially, this airport is opened on May 11, 1939. The airport has only one terminal and also has an official website as www.buffaloairport.com. The airport lies at a distance of 14 kilometres towards the eastern direction of Buffalo.
Airlines operated from this airport are AirTran Airways, American Eagle, Continental Connection operated by Colgan Air, Continental Connection operated by CommutAir, Continental Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines, Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Delta Connection operated by Comair, Delta Connection operated by Freedom Airlines, Delta Connection operated by Mesaba Airlines, Delta Connection operated by Pinnacle Airlines, Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, United Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines, United Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines, United Express operated by Mesa Airlines, United Express operated by Shuttle America, US Airways, US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin, US Airways Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines, US Airways Express operated by Colgan Air, US Airways Express operated by Mesa Airlines, US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines and US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines.
Also cargo airlines that are operated from this airport are Ameriflight International, Air Now (Based in Buffalo), DHL, FedEx Express, Southwest Cargo, UPS Airlines and Worldwide Flight Services. The airport has covered short term car park which is located outside the terminal building. Also long term car park lies within the walking distance of the terminal. Free shuttle buses are operated between the terminal and the car park. Additional two long term car parks are also available. If you park your car for 30 minutes then it will be charges free of cost. Hire a car from any of the car companies represented the airport to reach to your destination in the city.
Public transport includes buses and taxis that will lead you to the destination you want. For any kind of help or information the airport has an information centre which lies on the lower level of the terminal. It is situated next to the baggage reclaim. The centre also provides maps and regional information and also bus timetables and brouchures. What impressed me a lot is the Volunteer Hospitality Ambassadors who assist the passengers with information during the busy times to make everyone comfortable.
Facilities of the airport include ATMs, post office, bureau de change, public telephones and also workstations that are available at gates 4, 14 and 20. Also paid for Wi-Fi Internet access is also there in the departures and baggage claim areas. For eating and drinking there are many bars, restaurants, fast food outlets and snack bars in the upper level. Vending machines are also available on the lower level at the airport. When you are free just go and try shopping at the airport where newsstand and gift shop are available in the upper level. Lost property is managed by the NFTA Police. This is the only luggage facility provided by the airport. Other facilities include hair salon, shoe shine and children’s play areas.
The airport provides a Business Centre that offers services like bureaux de change, fax, photocopying, computer, Internet access, conference room hire, pre-paid phone cards or stamps, word processing, travel information, travel guard airport, flight insurance, American Express travellers and gift cheques services. The conference room is also available for hire. An executive lounge for club members are there on the upper level which is provided by the US Airways. Disabled travellers get facilities like lifts, escalators, ramps, TDD telephones, toilets, ATMs, counters, drop off parking spaces, assistance with luggage, aircraft lift devices and special assistance.
There are several hotels for accommodation in the airport like Buffalo Airport Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Clarion Hotel Buffalo Airport, Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Airport, Quality Inn Airport, Millennium Hotel and Sleep Inn Buffalo Airport. Few of the major attractions where you should visit are Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Darwin D. Martin House, Shea’s Performing Arts Center and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Tourist visas remains valid for six months and one year are also available. So check it out from your embassy whether you require a visa in New York or valid passport will be done.
With all these information you can visit the airport comfortably and also visit some of the nearby attractions from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Buffalo has plenty of attractions like its parks, nature preserves, rivers and lakes that fascinated me so much and is also an ideal location for outdoor activities like winter sports. Very common example of winter sports is skiing, skating and hockey. No doubt, the Niagara Falls is the geographical gem and also the top attraction of this region. So be a part of this amazing beauty.
