Bob Nemeth's Story

Text of Bob Nemeth's story below in Worcester Paper today.. I know this may be hard to believe, but another Editorial from the Telegram telling us that the airport is on track. For the record, none of us doubt that Worcester Regional Airport has "the potential to play a dynamic role in New England's air transportation network", but not realizing that potential has been and still is the problem.

The IMG Study "debunked" the idea of a fallback to a GA airport, it did?? Page 27 of the IMG "If a partnership is not established and/or primary airport status is not retained by 2008, the City should scale back from a Part 139 Certified to GA." In other words if we have a partner to help pay the bills and 10,000 passengers, we should keep the Part 139 Certification. Right now our current partnership agreement ends in less then 9 months and we are on track to be 10,000 below the 10,000 mark to retain primary airport status, so how exactly is that "debunking"??

I am glad to see, however, that ORH, after 70 years of operation (October 12, 2007), is beginning to provide a solid foundation for decision-making.




Air advice Survey keeps Worcester in regional air travel net


The long-anticipated regional airport survey released last week reaffirms the belief of local and state officials that Worcester Regional Airport has the potential to play a dynamic role in New England’s air transportation network, the premature exit of Allegiant Air notwithstanding. Emphasizing the need for a ring of reliever airports for Logan International, the report indicates that Worcester should continue to make improvements at the facility and improve access. The report, by a consulting team led by The Louis Berger Group Inc., was sponsored by the Federal Aviation Commission Airports Division, New England Council, 11 New England airports and the transportation departments of the six states. The report and its technical addendums provide a wealth of detail about air travel trends in Central Massachusetts and the region. It also offers suggestions about options that should be pursued by Worcester and the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the airport.


Citing the community support for the airport, the report suggests the city pursue short- and medium-haul business and leisure connections to niche markets. It also suggests Worcester should continue to refine its airport master plan, improve runways and runway safety areas, further upgrade landing systems, add new hangar and general aviation service facilities, and more. The suggestions complement last year’s study by IMG Inc. It stressed the need for a long-term commitment by the city, warning that in the near-term subsidies will continue to be needed. That’s why solidifying a long-term partnership with Massport is a must. The IMG report also debunked the notion that downgrading the airport to a general aviation facility would be an attractive fallback if efforts to establish full commercial service ultimately should prove untenable. The debate over Worcester’s airport has been hampered by lack of hard facts. IMG’s report, coupled with the master plan and new FAA survey, are beginning to provide a solid foundation for decision-making.