There has always been some confusion over the name of the Albany International Airport. The confusion is because of the use of 'international' in its name. You may think it's because there are flights to other countries but that's not entirely true. Here is a full explanation of why.

Albany Airport Renderings
Albany Airport Renderings
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Albany International Airport gets its "international" title because it can handle flights arriving from or departing to other countries, even though it mostly serves domestic routes.

The airport has a customs and border protection facility, which allows it to process passengers from international destinations when necessary. This infrastructure makes it possible to handle international flights, even if they aren’t part of the regular airline schedules.

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Private and charter flights contribute significantly to its international operations. Many business travelers or private jet owners fly directly to and from international locations, using Albany’s customs facilities to clear their travel. This adds to the airport's ability to serve as a gateway for international journeys, even on a smaller scale.

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Cargo operations also play a role in the airport’s international status. Albany serves as a hub for shipping goods, with some shipments coming from or headed to international destinations. These operations often require customs clearance, adding to the "international" aspect of the airport.

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In the past, Albany has explored international passenger routes, such as flights to Canada, and occasionally offers them when demand arises. While daily international flights aren’t the norm, the airport is ready and equipped to handle them.

In the U.S., having "international" in an airport’s name doesn’t always mean frequent overseas routes, it’s about being prepared for them. Albany International is a great example of this, ready to connect travelers or goods to the world whenever the opportunity comes.

Fly Direct To These 19 US Destinations From Albany International Airport

There are many destinations you can fly to from the Albany International Airport. But if you are like most travelers, you don't want to have to make a connecting flight. Here are the destinations you can fly directly to from the Albany International Airport. You can hop on Delta, American Airlines, Southwest, Allegiant, Avelo, and United Airlines.

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