CT Airport Authority sees growth potential beyond Bradley International

8 Apr 2019


Economic Development

Development discussions have been happening at the Connecticut Airport Authority for their regional airports. That development ranges from new airplane hangars at three or more CAA airports to the possibility of bringing commercial fights and developing a hotel at Groton-New London Airport. That's in addition to preliminary talks about CAA possibly taking some operational role at Tweed-New Haven Airport. 

CAA and AvPORTS have agreed that 16 full-time unionized employees would, under any deal, remain in place. That had been a sticking point in the negotiations.

Meantime, one of the airports that AvPORTS would manage under that deal, Groton-New London, could once again start offering commercial flights, Dillon said.

The 489-acre airport is only about 65 miles away from Bradley, but given its proximity to businesses like Pfizer and Electric Boat, not to mention casinos and the Coast Guard Academy, Dillon sees opportunity in expanding Groton-New London's services to commercial flights.

"We've done a fair amount of market research down there as to what destinations people are looking for, and what companies are likely to utilize at the airport," Dillon said. "It's a matter of convincing an airline to start operations at the airport."

Additionally, CAA is looking into possible hotel development at Groton-New London, Dillon said.

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