Lisa Wieland
Updated: June 27, 2022
Viewpoint
Viewpoint: Airport supports Worcester's growth
By Lisa Wieland
Worcester’s rise is a remarkable story. Today, the fastest growing city in New England isn’t Boston, Portland or Providence. It’s Worcester, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
Worcester’s growth story is the result of strong partnerships among civic, government, and business leaders. Polar Park, the Blackstone Heritage Visitor Center, Gateway Park, as well as the redevelopments of Main Street and Kelley Square and a significant effort to expand available housing, were enabled by public-private cooperation and have paid real dividends. Combined with a population now surged past 200,000, and on the heels of an incredible tercentennial weekend, Worcester is on an exceptional path.
A part of that story has been Worcester Regional Airport. Since acquiring it in 2010, Massport has forged strong a partnership with the community and made significant investments in the airport, resulting in it serving nearly 950,000 passengers in the past 12 years. While COVID put the brakes on passenger growth, with travel now ramping back up, smart leadership, and continued investment, momentum will follow.
Worcester’s location has always promised passengers in the central part of the commonwealth an alternative to Boston Logan International Airport, and a much-needed respite from Boston traffic. But without more than $100 million in capital and other investments, ensuring the airport infrastructure’s safety, operational reliability, and modernization, it would not be possible to capitalize on its geographic advantage and deliver on that promise.
At Massport, we view Worcester airport as a key part of the regional commercial airport system, and we are proud passengers can choose from five non-stop daily flights from Worcester to Fort Lauderdale and both main New York City airports. With services restored and additional investments on the way, including runway rehabilitation and new taxiways, Massport is dedicated to ensuring the airport and its infrastructure are ready for future growth.
We recognize the increased demand in air travel, particularly leisure trips, as we come out of the pandemic. As you’re booking future trips, I urge Central Massachusetts residents to choose Worcester airport. To continue growing the airport, we all need to use it. Worcester's nonstop destinations offer robust connecting opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
Moving forward, we will focus on being part of the ecosystem supporting economic growth in Central Massachusetts. The airport team now has expanded partnerships with the Worcester Red Sox and looks to grow its collaborations with other business sectors.
Without question, we’ve learned this pandemic and its impact on air travel have made for a rather bumpy ride. But even in these uncertain times, the partnership behind the airport gives us real reason for optimism and a roadmap for continued growth.
Lisa Wieland is CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this column incorrectly said Worcester Regional Airport serves nearly 950,000 passengers annually, which was an error inserted in the text by a WBJ editor. The correct number is the airport has served nearly 950,000 since 2010, when the Massachusetts Port Authority took over ownership.
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Anonymous
June 27, 2022
No lender would ever approve a $100 million loan to a private airport on the premise of attracting
95K passengers annually.
Anonymous
June 27, 2022
Go Worcester!!!
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