Massena International-Richards Field (KMSS), New York
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Massena International-Richards Field (KMSS) sits in far northern New York, close to the Canadian border near Ottawa and the St. Lawrence River corridor. The field functions as a business aviation gateway with onsite CBP inspection services, two paved runways, and dual fuel availability, handling FAA TFMSC-tracked traffic of 2,679 total operations in 2025, of which 2,592 were business aviation movements.
Runways
Massena International-Richards Field has two paved runways. The longest, 05/23, is 5,601 ft long and 100 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Massena International-Richards Field has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Massena International-Richards Field has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Massena International-Richards Field recorded 2,592 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May and August. Business aviation traffic at KMSS concentrates in the warmer months, peaking in May, with the lowest volumes recorded in February.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 250 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Massena International-Richards Field averages 2.4 days above 90°F in July and 29.6 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80.8°F, and January the coldest, at 25.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Massena International-Richards Field has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
The commuter aircraft secure area is closed to general aviation aircraft clearing customs. Parking is available to the right of the terminal building.
REIL for runways 05, 09, and 27, and PAPI for runways 23 and 27, are pilot-activated. HIRL serves runway 05/23, MIRL serves runway 09/27, and taxiway lights are activated via CTAF. PAPI for runway 05 operates continuously.
Runway conditions are reported during normal hours of operation.
Birds and deer are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 360/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 343/F/D/X/T
Frequent concentrations of seagulls and Canada geese occur on and in the vicinity of the airport, particularly during poor weather periods.
A 421-foot lighted and marked tower is located 6,000 feet south of the airport.
Overnight aircraft parking is available at the terminal apron.
After attendance hours, vehicle and pedestrian access to the FBO apron and hangar is available only with a key card for the automatic gate.
Caution: night vision device operations are conducted periodically in the airport traffic pattern area.
Military helicopter training occurs on and in the vicinity of the airport.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Boston ARTCC.
Index A firefighting coverage is available during attendance hours. For emergencies outside attendance hours, contact St. Lawrence County emergency services.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Massena International-Richards Field has five airfields within 43 NM. The closest is Potsdam Municipal / Damon Field (KPTD), 16.19 NM south.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMSS
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KMSS.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is customs available at KMSS for international arrivals?
Massena International-Richards Field provides CBP inspection services onsite, making it a valid port of entry for arriving aircraft. This is a meaningful feature for operators working the New York border area near Canada. Customs support aligns with the field's attendance schedule, which runs 0400-1700 Monday through Friday and 0700-0800 on weekends. Crews should plan arrivals within those attended hours since coverage outside them is not standard. The commuter aircraft secure area is closed to general aviation aircraft clearing customs, with parking available to the right of the terminal building instead.
What runways are available at Massena International-Richards Field?
Massena International-Richards Field operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 05/23 is the longer of the pair at 5,601 feet, with a width of 100 feet, and serves as the primary surface referenced for the airport's max paved length. Runway 09/27 measures 4,000 feet long and is also 100 feet wide. Both runways are equipped with lighting, including HIRL on 05/23 and MIRL on 09/27, plus REIL and PAPI systems activated via CTAF since KMSS is non-towered.
Does KMSS have any wildlife hazards operators should know about?
Yes, KMSS carries multiple wildlife remarks in its operational data. Seagulls and Canada geese frequently concentrate on and in the vicinity of the airport, particularly during poor weather periods. Separately, birds and deer are also noted on and around the field. Crews operating at Massena International-Richards Field should factor these recurring hazards into approach and departure planning, especially in marginal weather when bird concentrations are reported as more frequent.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at Massena International-Richards Field?
Business aviation traffic at KMSS, as tracked by FAA TFMSC for 2025, shows a concentration in the warmer months. May is the peak month with 250 operations, followed by August at 240 and July at 232. The quieter months fall in winter, with February recording the lowest count at 172 operations. Total annual business aviation operations for Massena International-Richards Field reached 2,592 out of 2,679 total operations recorded for the year, underscoring how dominant bizav traffic is at this field.
What fuel types are offered at KMSS?
Massena International-Richards Field offers both 100LL and Jet A fuel. This dual availability supports a mix of piston and turbine business aircraft operating through the field. Fuel access should be planned around the posted attendance schedule, which covers 0400-1700 on weekdays and shorter windows of 0700-0800 on weekends. Operators arriving outside attended hours should coordinate in advance given the limited weekend coverage.