Airport management in question for '07
The future ownership of Worcester Regional Airport was one of several topics discussed at the final community meeting on December 13 for the anchor-less airfield.
Councilor-at-large and pending City Mayor Konstantina Lukes posed the question for Massport’s Eric Waldron, director of the airport, as to whether or not Massport would be interested in taking full ownership of the facility and its annual $2.3 million budget. Waldron declined to answer the question without Massport CEO Thomas Kinton involved in any negotiations regarding the current contract that expires in June of 2007.
The Jacobs Consultancy, previously known as Leigh Fisher Associates, presented the final draft of the master plan, a $400,000 study paid for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission. The plan calls for a medium growth strategy, which includes re-paving portions of the airfield, enhancements to runway safety areas, the construction of a new airport fire and rescue facility, as well as other upgrades to hangars and general aviation facilities.
Currently, two sites are included in the medium growth strategy for commercial use. An RFP has been released for one site, with another RFP due out in the coming months. Potential tenants include an additional fixed base operator, a flight school, or an airport restaurant. Massport’s Waldron also said discussions have taken place with corporate carriers and niche commercial airlines, but no other details were available.
"We’ve had discussions with six or seven niche air carriers," said Waldron. "I will not disclose that we have anything imminent to announce."
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