FBOs
Rifton aviation copes with downturn
Rifton Aviation at Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, N.Y., has confounded observers since it took over the former W.R.

Rifton Aviation at Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, N.Y., has confounded observers since it took over the former W.R. Grace hangar several years ago. Operated by the Anabaptist Bruderhof religious community, the FBO expanded quickly, riding the tide of economic prosperity late in the last decade. The county planned an expansive industrial park nearby, meant to go hand in glove with development and marketing of the airport.

The most visible evidence of Rifton’s outreach is the gaping BBJ-size hangar complex completed two years ago. At the time it was conceived, the hangar project looked set to ride the wave of bizliner sales that was cresting. With the stalled economy, sales of BBJs and Airbus Corporate Jetliners have faltered. Even NetJets’ BBJ fractional program has shown lackluster sales performance.