RME · medium airport

Griffiss International Airport

Rome, United States

Airports

RMEmedium airport

Griffiss International Airport

Rome, United States

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Destinations

KRME

ICAO

504 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Former air force base turned civilian and cargo hub.

Opened

1942

Location

Rome, United States

Griffiss International Airport (IATA: RME, ICAO: KRME) is a public airport located in Rome, New York, serving the Mohawk Valley region of central New York State. It occupies the site of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, which was a major Strategic Air Command installation during the Cold War before being realigned and eventually closed as an active military base in the 1990s. Today the airport functions primarily as a general aviation, cargo, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) testing facility. It is part of the Oneida County Airport system and has been developed as a technology and aerospace innovation hub, hosting the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) Alliance and supporting drone research and development. The airport features a long runway originally built for military bomber operations, making it suitable for large cargo and special mission aircraft. Commercial passenger service has been limited historically, with the airport serving mainly business aviation, charter, and freight operations.

Terminals

The airport has limited passenger terminal infrastructure, primarily oriented toward general aviation and cargo operations rather than scheduled commercial airline service.

Getting to & from

Ground transportation options include rental cars and taxi services, with the airport located approximately 4 miles from downtown Rome, New York.

Airlines here

No major scheduled commercial airlines currently operate regular passenger service at Griffiss International; the airport serves cargo carriers and general aviation operators.

Notable facts

›Built on the site of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, a Cold War-era Strategic Air Command installation.
›Home to the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) Alliance, a major drone testing and research program.
›Features one of the longest runways in New York State, originally constructed for military bomber aircraft.
›Designated as one of seven FAA-selected UAS test sites in the United States.
›The surrounding Griffiss Business and Technology Park houses numerous defense and technology companies on the former base property.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Former Air Force base reborn as Central New York's gateway to the skies

Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, occupies the grounds of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, which closed in 1995 and was subsequently redeveloped into a public-use commercial and cargo facility. The airport serves the Mohawk Valley region and is notable for hosting the FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft Systems test site, making it a hub for drone research and aviation innovation. It handles limited scheduled passenger service alongside cargo, general aviation, and defense-related operations.

Terminals

Passenger Terminal — A small, single-building terminal serving limited scheduled and charter passenger flights with basic amenities.

Ground Transport

Rental car agencies available on-site
Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) serving the Rome and Utica area
Private shuttle arrangements from local hotels
Personal vehicle and on-site parking lots

Nearby Hotels

Wingate by Wyndham Rome
Fairfield Inn & Suites Utica
Hampton Inn Utica
Beeches Inn & Conference Center, Rome

Dining

Dining options inside the terminal are minimal given the airport's small scale, with basic vending and limited food service available. The nearby city of Rome offers a variety of local diners, Italian restaurants, and casual eateries within a short drive. Utica, roughly 15 miles away, provides a broader selection including the region's famous Utica greens and tomato pie cuisine.

Traveller Tips

Arrive early as staffing and services are limited compared to larger regional airports.
Confirm your flight's operating status directly with the airline, as schedules can change with limited-service carriers.
Arrange ground transportation in advance, as on-demand taxis and rideshares may not be immediately available.
The airport's proximity to the Adirondacks and Erie Canal heritage sites makes it a convenient base for regional exploration.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Griffiss International Airport is a public airport in the northeastern United States, located one mile (1.6 km) east of the central business district of Rome, a city in Oneida County, New York. Publicly owned by the county, the airport is located on the former site of Griffiss Air Force Base, which closed in 1995. Four years later, the airfield hosted the Woodstock '99 music festival.

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