TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—For the last seven years, the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport was led through a period of transformative change by Mike Hall. Hall has now announced his retirement from the position, effective Sept. 30, 2021.
Hall, a Cornell University graduate and an Air Force veteran, will stick around to be a consultant with the airport, working on “strategic initiatives.” That will include seeking out new airlines and routes for the airport and “overseeing the continuation of sustainability initiatives for the airport,” according to a press release announcing his retirement.
“It has been a pleasure serving in this role,” Hall said in the release. “Thank you to our fantastic airport team for its support and continuing to provide exceptional service to our traveling community.”
Hall’s tenure as the head of the airport featured expanded airline service, including new routes to Washington Dulles and Charlotte with non-stop service and, most notably, acquiring state and federal grants that resulted in an overhaul of the airport’s infrastructure and introduced international service including a U.S. Customs facility. That led to the renaming of the facility, from Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, a change that took place just before the COVID-19 pandemic hamstrung travel globally.
“On behalf of Tompkins County, I would like to thank Mr. Hall for his many years of service to our community. ITH has set a high standard in air travel and has continued to provide our traveling community with excellent service,” said Interim Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes. “We are excited for Mr. Hall as he assumes his new role with New York Aviation Management Association. In this role as well as his consultancy position, Mr. Hall will continue to help us to strategically position our airport for new air service and improved operations opportunities.”