About Us

A service of Jefferson County, New York

The Watertown International Airport (ART) serves as a vital hub for General and Commercial Aviation needs across Northern New York, the Thousand Islands region, Southern Ontario, and the Fort Drum area. The airport features two runways with full parallel taxiways, advanced navigation aids, multiple instrument approach procedures, and real-time weather reporting systems.

In 2025, the new terminal opened, and features enhanced facilities, including additional gates, a jet bridge, automated baggage claim systems, and increased circulation space to improve passenger comfort and convenience. A new restaurant will be coming in early 2027.

American Airlines provides commercial air service with two daily flights to and from Philadelphia International Airport (PA), offering seamless access to global destinations. The airport supported over 51,000 passengers in 2025, reflecting its essential role in regional connectivity.

Beyond passenger services, ART hosts a range of aviation operations and facilities, including a commercial medical evacuation helicopter station, two flight schools, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Station (index b), a Full-Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and multiple storage hangars. The airport is designated Airport of Entry (AOE) allowing it to accept and clear international flights into the United States. International Private and military flights from Europe and Asia have been accommodated at the airport.

The airport is included in the U.S. Congress’s National Integrated Airport Systems plan (NPIAS), it is considered vital to national air commerce and defense. Additionally, the airport is designated as a Minimum Operational Network (MON) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to its strategic location and navigation aid equipment that can be used by aircraft during Global Position System (GPS) Outages. The airport accommodates disaster and Emergency response aircraft and helicopters for agencies such as the NY State Police Aviation, US Coast Guard, US Army, US Customs, Utility companies, and private operators. Watertown International Airport is committed to meeting the diverse aviation needs of the community and supporting Fort Drum and the broader region.

Title VI Airport Nondiscrimination Program

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Pub. L. No. 100-259, 102 Stat. 28 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. The Watertown Int'l Airport (a department of Jefferson County) is committed to ensuring no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The Watertown International Airport further assures every effort will be made to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, regardless of whether those programs and activities are federally funded.

North Country Strong

Watertown International Airport proudly serves the men and women of our neighbor, Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, and actively seeks to provide connections for our soldiers with family and friends throughout the country and the world. The Northern New York region - "North Country" - was in 2019 named a Great American Defense Community for service to our Army residents.

Contingency Plan

Jefferson County as the owner and operator of Watertown International Airport, has prepared a Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The plan, in its entirety can be found by clicking the pdf link below. Questions regarding this plan can be directed to airport administration.

(Tarmac Delay Program Contingency Plan 2022 PDF)

The County of Jefferson hereby announces its fiscal years 2025 through 2027 goal of 3.75% for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) airport projects. The goal is 0% RN and 3.75% RC. The proposed goals and rationale are available for inspection between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the County Government Building, 195 Arsenal Street, 2nd Floor, Watertown, NY 13601, for 30 days from the date of this publication. Comments on the DBE goal will be accepted for 30 days from the date of this publication.

Watertown International Airport Terminal and Gateway Development Short Environmental Assessment – July 2024