CT Airports Authority Approval

CT Airports Moving Ahead “With Authority”

D. Carstens, The Airport News

Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation creating the Connecticut Airport Authority on June 30 and put into action a plan that had been at least a decade in the making. Previous administrations had visited the concept of taking Bradley out from under the confines of the State’s Department of Transportation, many citing the fact that BDL was only one of four airports left in the U.S. still run in that fashion. The move was supported by public and private leaders alike, both political parties, and sailed through the legislative session with almost unanimous support.

“Bradley Airport is centrally located, easily accessible and it could be a major economic driver in our state – if we approach its operations and management strategically,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “The new Connecticut Airport Authority will free Bradley from the bureaucracy that has hamstrung the airport in the past and help to make it more attractive to new routes, new airlines and new ways to increase our state’s economic viability. I look forward to working with those who are as committed as I am to make Bradley International Airport an integral part of our state’s economic strategy.”

Governor Malloy cited the strong support during the process as well. There were originally two Bills, one introduced from the last Session by Representative Sayers (D-60), and the second one that was introduced on behalf of the Governor. After Senate passage, the Governor remarked, “I thank the Senate for their support–particularly Senators LeBeau, Maynard, Franz and Boucher” and encourage its passage in the House, which it received promptly.

Senator L. Scott Frantz (R-36), former Chair of the Bradley International Board of Directors, and long a proponent of autonomy for Bradley, lauded the Governor’s signing the Bill; “I am relieved that the day is finally here when the airport community and management group can look forward to leveraging off of the DOT’s outstanding operational record to make Bradley International into a truly world class experience for the passengers. The effort started nearly ten years ago to gain more independence and flexibility in both the management and governance functions to allow the airport to achieve its full potential not only as a transportation hub, but also as an economic development catalyst.”

The CT Airport Authority will have broad reaching power over budgetary, hiring, contractual and Bonding functions, which will take some time to accomplish. In an address at Bradley International, Governor Malloy said work had begun on forming the 11 member Board and operating team. In his June 24th speech he assured “between now and January 1st it will happen in totality” and spoke to Bradley’s economic importance, “If we didn’t have an airport, number one on our list would be to build it.”

Many legislators and other proponents lamented the long process in making routine decisions under the previous structure, while being careful to blame the system and not the personnel. As explained by one of the Bill’s strongest supporters, Senator LeBeau (D-3) related “The state DOT is very good at running Bradley as far as maintaining aircraft and clearing runways, but not so good at the business side. That’s where the new Authority will excel.”

The airports in CT and the State’s history in aviation in general, all could benefit from the Authority according to one of Connecticut’s State Representatives. Tim Larson (D 11) is also Tweed Airport’s Executive Director, “I think it was a real good move on the Governor’s part. It addresses State assets we can really start to take advantage of. Governor Malloy realizes the importance of aviation to the State of Connecticut, the defense contracts that have been awarded, the number of pilots, the number of planes. There’s a tremendous economic development opportunity within the airport itself, a responsibilities to the outside communities, and it’s important to market the State by talking consistently to the airlines themselves.”