Hartford needs Brainard airport

Kevin Rennie’s April 17 column touched many important issues that I have to comment on as a lifelong Hartford area resident [Insight, Page 1, “State shouldn’t spend $1.5M to study Brainard Airport”]. My experience of reporting to a corporate executive allowed me to see how much the airport was utilized by executives for out-of-town business.

Kevin’s comments were right on when he mentioned “requiring the immediate presence of a skilled employee.” Bradley was very expensive, with long layovers, when booked at the last minute and not business-savvy when the costs were totaled.

Many long-term IT decisions were made because of Hartford-based knowledge and on the convenience of this local airport.

I also had personal exposure to an aviation insurance office based at Brainard Airport. It was a natural location as plane owners went through the airport. Why would developers want to change what is working well for the area?

Don’t be greedy — Hartford doesn’t want to be New York or Boston. Make what they already have work better.