Groton-NL Airport

It has been 15 years since U.S. Airways Express flew its last flight out of Groton-New London Airport. There has been no commercial air service since.

Periodically come reports that it might return. That was the case on Tuesday when the executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, Kevin Dillon, sat down with our editorial board.

Dillon said the authority recently came close to landing a deal for regular flights to Washington, D.C. The carrier backed out, however, when its planned acquisition of another carrier, which had a fleet of planes suited to serve shorter runway airports such as Groton-New London, fell through.

Conversations continue with other carriers, though nothing is imminent, Dillon said. Unfortunately, we’ve heard this story before. Once again having a commercial flight option from Groton-New London Airport would bolster corporate, small business and tourism travel, all of which are vital to a healthy regional economy. The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has concluded enough corporate and business traffic exists to provide a sound financial foundation for commercial service.

Envisioned is a niche operation, offering the convenience of flying to and from a local airport with a connection to a major hub or hubs.

One change is the man who now serves as chairman of the airport authority’s board of directors — Tony Sheridan. As president of the Chamber of Eastern Connecticut, a position he still holds, Sheridan has long advocated for finding a new carrier to operate from Groton-New London Airport. The chamber protested when the authority considered allowing the Groton-New London Airport’s certification to provide commercial service to lapse.

Having that certification in place has allowed the authority to make a case to carriers, but so far with no success. But it comes at a price, costing about $250,000 annually to maintain, said Dillon.

We urge Sheridan to utilize his new leadership position with the airport authority to make a return to commercial service a priority.

Despite the lack of commercial service, the airport plays a vital role providing private flights that serve our corporate community. That part of the business is so good there is discussion of constructing an additional hangar and building a hotel on adjacent authority property to serve passengers who use the airport for short business-related visits.

No one should question the importance of our local airport. A return to commercial service, however, would increase its value to our community.