History of the Airport

The Cornwall Regional Airport celebrated its 45th year of operation in 2018.

The facility opened in 1973 as the Cornwall/Summerstown Airport. At that time, it was owned and operated by Cornwall Aviation, a privately owned company. It had a 2,865 ft. turf runway, an apron area and hangar/ office building. The services offered were flight training, aircraft charter services and aviation fuel sale.

In 1984, the City of Cornwall and the Township of South Glengarry purchased the airport and created the Cornwall Regional Airport Commission to manage the airport. The purchase of the Airport included the runway, taxiway, apron area and adjoining property.The management of the Airport was given to Cornwall Aviation which kept ownership of the hangar and office building.

In the same year, the first Airport Development Plan was prepared indicating an estimated cost of $2M to be mostly funded by the federal government for construction of a 1,070 m (3,510 ft.) paved and lighted runway, a connecting taxiway, a 5,500 m2  (60,000 sq. ft.) aircraft fuel facilities, an access road and car parking area.

In 1990, the Airport Master Plan was developed and envisioned an airport capable of serving local industry and commerce by making the necessary investments in order to allow corporate jets to use the Airport. Further plans would be drafted in 2008, 203 and most recently in 2017.

Summary of Airport Developments

1973

  • 2,865 ft. turf runway

1984

  • 1,070 (3,510 ft.) paved and lighted runway
  • Connecting taxiway
  • 5,500 m2 (60,000 sq. ft.) aircraft parking apron
  • Aviation fuel facilities
  • Access road
  • Car parking area

1985

  • Commercial hangar building 15 m x 18 m (50 ft. x 60 ft.)
  • Taxiway

1995

  • Northeast general aviation/ small hangar development area
  • 16 lots for hangars
  • 16 lots for outdoor aircraft storage
  • Connecting taxiway to the area

2000

  • Resurfacing of the runway
  • Resurfacing of the taxiway
  • Resurfacing of the apron area

2008

  • Installation of a card-lock system for self-serve fuel

2016

  • Installation of jet fuel system
  • Chip Pin System upgrade
  • GIS Approach