BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2006

In the early 1990s, the New England region was faced with a dilemma that threatened its future economic vitality.

In a world dependent on aviation, New England's primary airport, Boston Logan International Airport, was increasingly becoming congested, and a number of efforts to either expand its capacity or develop a second major airport in the region proved unsuccessful. In response, alternate approaches to accommodate growing passenger needs in the region were examined, and the New England Regional Airport System Plan, a program to utilize 10 regional airports to alleviate congestion at Logan, was established.

The 10 airports include Bangor International Airport, Bradley International Airport, Burlington International Airport, L.G. Hanscom Field, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Portland International Jetport, Portsmouth International Airport, T.F. Green Airport, Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport and Worcester Regional Airport.

The Berger Group was retained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the six New England states to prepare a comprehensive regional system plan. In the study, the Team analyzed the region's air transportation needs; examined airport issues and competitive concerns from a regional perspective; and identified potential actions or policies to meet New England's long-term aviation needs.

Berger began the study by collecting and evaluating data on current demand and airport capacity; assessing the quality and efficiency of the current facilities; and forecasting regional aviation activity to the year 2020. The forecasts indicated that domestic passengers in the New England region would increase by 20 million, while international passengers would rise by four million. The Team then identified the opportunities and constraints at each of the 10 key regional airports and recommended upgrades to the facilities to enhance system-wide operations, including expanding the runway length at T.F. Green Airport to serve the needs for West Coast and international travel, as well as upgrading the facilities at Tweed-New Haven and Worcester Regional Airports to accommodate a combined total of 3.8 million passengers a year, thus alleviating congestion at airports throughout New England and New York.

Airport officials throughout the region will utilize the information developed through Berger's study as a framework for integrated regional aviation planning and long-range facility planning, with the updated plan serving as a guide for the region's airports to cooperatively work toward system-wide improvements.

The Berger Group has assisted the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) with a number of important aviation projects, including a $198.3 million terminal expansion project at Bradley International Airport and the development of master plans at Groton/New London Regional and Hartford/Brainard Airports. The Team was recently selected by ConnDOT to update minimum standards for commercial aeronautical development activities at the three aforementioned airports, as well as at Danielson, Waterbury-Oxford and Windham Airports. Bradley International is a commercial airport that currently accommodates nearly 7 million passengers annually, while Groton/New London Regional, Hartford/Brainard, Danielson, Waterbury-Oxford and Windham Airports are general aviation facilities, devoted to aircraft charters and rentals, flight instruction and maintenance.

Berger will provide ConnDOT with the analysis, data and expertise to define and implement a comprehensive policy for establishing minimum standards for the state's six airports. The FAA promotes the implementation of minimum standards to assure all airport tenants are treated equitably, with the goal of creating a fair and competitive operating environment. The Team will conduct a planning study at each facility, resulting in the development of a role statement that will establish how each airport should be operated and managed. The study will also result in setting forth strategic goals and performance monitoring criteria for ConnDOT to consider in its operation and management of each facility. Additionally, the Team will examine the current status of each airport's minimum standards and make recommendations for new and improved standards. Berger's comprehensive update will provide ConnDOT with modern minimum standards for future planning and development opportunities at each airport in light of future market conditions and demand. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2007.

Westfield Aviation Field was dedicated on October 12, 1923, after Vincent E. Barnes donated land for the construction of the facility. Today, Westfield-Barnes is one of the largest airports in Massachusetts. Aside from the significant flight training and general aviation presence, it is also home to a major corporate jet service facility and an Air National Guard Base. To help spur regional economic development, the city of Westfield has been exploring strategies to stimulate growth at the airport, and the Berger Group was selected to explore additional uses for the facility.

Berger analyzed local industry trends to identify growth areas and potential aviation needs. The Team also identified other airports across the nation with similar operations, services and passenger demand, and interviewed airport officials at the facilities. Airport user surveys were also conducted to assess passenger needs. Based on the Team's findings, a number of alternatives were identified and evaluated in terms of growth potential, costs and revenues. Berger's studies resulted in a development plan that focused on corporate maintenance and service facilities.