Construction work has officially commenced on the transformation project of Greater Binghamton Airport in New York, US.

The $47.8m modernisation project is scheduled to create more than 500 jobs and be completed by late 2025.

The project received $32m from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition.

New York State Department of Transportation commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said: “These dramatic improvements to the Greater Binghamton Airport will create a modern gateway that will further fuel the region’s economy and help spread the word about how wonderful the Southern Tier is [to] live, work or visit.”

The scope of the project includes remodelling the passenger terminal, building a new 6,400ft² Customs and Border Protection facility, redevelopment of the airport’s main approach road, relocating the rental car counters, and improving the parking revenue management system at the site.

Planned improvements also include the relocation of the general aviation terminal to the main passenger terminal and the development of new canopy and entry portals, as well as the transformation of the baggage claim area, departure lobby and lounge, ticketing lobby, and outgoing luggage area.

New York governor Kathy Hochul said: “A state-of-the-art airport provides an essential foundation that will enable local communities to grow their economies, create jobs and improve their quality of life.

“The improvements we are making to the Greater Binghamton Airport will make it the perfect welcome to those visiting the beautiful Southern Tier.”