Unfinished Business

From the time cartoon maestro Walt Disney opened the first of his iconic theme parks, his vision was that they would never be "finished," which is to say that there would always be something new to be added in the coming years.

Airports are no different.

Since the 1950s, when jet service first came on the scene, many airports built in the 1920s and 30s have had to constantly change, adapting to accommodate the commercial air service landscape.

Jet service meant that many airports' runways were too short to handle the new aircraft which needed more runway to lift off, resulting in those runways being extended. Navigational aids such as an instrument landing system to safely guide the plane to the field were installed. The stairs that used to be rolled up to planes such as the DC-3 were now being replaced by jet bridges to protect passengers from the elements. With air travel becoming more "mainstream," airports had to replace their small passenger terminals with much larger ones, complete with concessions such as restaurants and stores. And, because the then-new interstate highway system made it easier to access the airports, parking also had to be expanded. And the terrorist attacks of 2001 necessitated enhanced security measures to combat terrorism.

As you can see, airports are never "finished." They evolve, for better or worse.

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport is no exception.

The problem is that it's taken Tweed much longer to adapt than many of its contemporaries.

This is due primarily from nearly 60 years of residents moving out to the Morris Cove and East Haven, many of them in close proximity to the airport, then expressing indignation that the airport is operating the way it does.

And, due to the numerous litigations involved in the fight, the airport's progress has come at a glacial pace.

It took years for the main runway to be extended from 4,771 feet to the current 5,600 feet. An instrument landing system was put in place only after the crash of Allegheny Airlines Flight 485, which cost 28 people their lives, in 1971. The original terminal building saw several changes before a nearby hangar was used as an "interim" terminal for the 1995 Special Olympics until a more "permanent" structure could be built.

Now, with the success of Avelo Airlines and the presence of Breeze Airways, there's no question that a newer, larger, more modern facility is needed, preferably on the east side of the field, (estimates have it at 70- to 80,000 square feet), with more vehicle parking to boot. Also in the works is for the runway to be extended yet again, to 6,500 feet for safer aircraft operation.

Tweed's opponents always liked to make you think that it was only meant to be a "Piper Cub airport," for private pilots to use, with "no market for air service."

Wrong.

Tweed had commercial air service practically from the very beginning with Li-Conn Airways, a commercial air carrier, with American Airlines following shortly thereafter. Indeed, rare was the time when Tweed had no commercial air service. In fact, Avelo just notched its three millionth passenger boarding from Tweed. Not bad for an airline that's been there only since November of 2021.

No, Tweed is not "finished," nor will it ever be. There will be more changes coming down the road, of that you can be sure.

No one can predict what the future of air travel will be or how today's airports will be ready for it.

Speaking of "unfinished business...."

When I published "How'm I Doin'?" in December of 2024, I had intended that to be my last piece, my impression being that few if any out there were reading my posts.

But I have decided that my work isn't finished, not as long as airport opposition continues to flail away at all things Tweed. The airport can use every voice of support it can get.

And for those of you who take the time to read these, thank you!

You will also find me contributing to the Facebook page, "As The Beacon Turns."

Perhaps I'll see you there?