New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
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Tweed may see airline service restored as a result of stimulus package
“New Haven having a fully functioning airline is important, not just for the area, but for the entire state of Connecticut.”
Sean Scanlon, executive director, Tweed New Haven Airport
NEW HAVEN — The $15 billion for the airline industry that is part of the stimulus package federal lawmakers approved Sunday could secure three months worth of commercial service by American Airline for Tweed New Haven Airport, Executive Director Sean Scanlon said Monday.
Scanlon said airport officials have been in what he termed “preliminary discussions” about an return by American to Tweed if a new stimulus package were approved. The Texas-based airline announced Aug. 20 that it planned to end service to Tweed and smaller airports in 14 other U.S. cities.
While American officials had not yet made a formal commitment to return Tweed as of Monday, Scanlon said the terms of the stimulus package requires airlines who receive funding to maintain a minimum level of service in the communities they patronized before the pandemic started.
“New Haven having a fully functioning airline is important, not just for the area, but for the entire state of Connecticut,” he said. “We continue to negotiate with other airlines as well. This is just one piece of a puzzle with a lot of moving parts.”
Nichelle Barrett, an American Airlines spokeswoman, said the airline doesn’t “have anything to share at this time, but hope to have more to share later.”
Scanlon said he doesn’t have specifics yet on when American’s three
month return to Tweed could begin..
“This is not about a large company getting money,” he said. “This is an early Christmas present for American employees who worked at the airport and lost their jobs as well as TSA employees who were put out of work.”
American had 23 full and part-time employees working at Tweed, according to Scanlon.
Mayor Justin Elicker said it would be good “to see American restoring service.”
“However,” Elicker said, “it’s concerning that their long-term commitment is still uncertain. It underscores just how important it is for us to get the virus under control.”
Prior to ending its service to Tweed, the airline had service between New Haven and Charlotte, N.C. It was the only commercial airline serving the airport, which straddles the New Haven-East Haven border.
Ultimately, what will lead to more interest by airlines in serving Tweed is extending the airport’s runway, Scanlon said. Tweed officials are in the midst of updating the airport’s master plan, which is the first step toward getting the necessary approvals to extend the runway.
Sacnlon said he is hopeful that construction of the runway extension could start within two years once the Federal Aviation Administration approves Tweed’s new master plan.
Garrett Sheehan, president and chief executive officer of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased to hear that American Airlines could continue their commitment to Tweed.
“Obviously, the travel industry is still devastated and all airports will be impacted until the pandemic ends,” Sheehan said.
“I expect that will see more adjustments from American as they continue to try to gauge the air travel market,” Sheehan said. “Now is the time for Connecticut to invest in Tweed, extend the runway and make improvements so that the airport can efficiently service our region and business community when the airline industry returns.”