Originally Posted by
guv1976
I am also ITH-based, and have been following this story, which was first reported by 14850.com. That article contains this quote:
"According to a passenger on the flight, they were initially told they couldn’t land due to 'snow on the runway,' then that they couldn’t land in Ithaca 'for legal reasons.'
"There’s been no snow in Ithaca on Sunday, and Ithaca airport deputy director Josh Nalley confirms to 14850 Today that there are no weather conditions or runway conditions that could have affected an incoming flight."
Josh Nalley is the ITH Airport Fire Chief, and is responsible for airfield operations and maintenance. So it truly is puzzling why this flight was diverted, although perhaps Gojet does indeed have special requirements for landings.
From the posts upthread, it sounds like maybe it was because the crew couldn't confirm there were no "runway conditions that could have affected an incoming flight" before they had to make the decision to either land or divert.