For the first time since October 2020, American Airlines flights are making the daily trip from Tweed-New Haven (NHV) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Flights were suspended in October due to a lack of demand for travel and resumed on Jan. 5 thanks to a federal stimulus bill.

“Like so many industries, we’ve been deeply affected by COVID, but we’re happy to have them back even if it’s just temporary,” said Sean Scanlon, executive director of Tweed. “We look forward to a bright future once this pandemic is behind us and the majority of people feel comfortable traveling again.”

At this time, the federal stimulus bill has required American Airlines to continue flights through March 31, though Scanlon noted they are “currently talking to them about hopefully staying beyond that date.” Flights to PHL from HVN will operate daily with reservations available only through March 31 at this time.

“The next few months will continue to be difficult for us,” said Scanlon. “The industry, in general, will probably not fully recover for years, but I do believe that demand will pick up as the virus gets more under control and more people get vaccinated.”

Runway Expansion

In September 2019, Tweed began a master plan process to evaluate plans for the future of the airport. According to Scanlon, the plan involved evaluating runway expansion, the ideal location of a new terminal, and the future of what’s known as the cross wind runway. The runway expansion will allow the airport to service more destinations in the southeast.

A public meeting was held Jan. 7 updating the public on the findings over the past year (meeting presentation is available at www.tweedmasterplan.com). The plan—along with updates on upgrades to the grounds—presented a constrained recommendation of a 6,635-foot runway, which balances “safety, community, environmental, fiscal, regulatory, and operational” needs and requirements.

That runway expansion has long been a point of contention to neighbors in East Haven who have expressed concerns about more noise and traffic as well as safety. The expansion was prohibited by an earlier agreement, though the U.S. Supreme court in 2020 declined to hear a challenge to the expansion proposal.

There are also plans for the expansion of the passenger terminal in order to accommodate 200 peak-hour passengers. The plans includes the expansion of baggage screening, baggage claim, secure holdrooms, security screening checkpoint, concessions, and more, requiring 20,000 to 55,000 additional square feet.

The plan also detailed alternative plans as well as options that were considered and dismissed. In March, Scanlon plans to submit the final master plan to the FAA for approval. The plan can be viewed at www.tweedmasterplan.com.

Since he was elected, Mayor Joseph Carfora has voiced his concerns about the plan.

“I want to be sure that East Haven is not taken advantage of,” he said. “Our residences must be protected. It cannot occur solely on the backs of our community and I have consistently taken that position with all stakeholders. The courts have spoken on this issue already, but rest assured that I will continue to speak for the best interests of our community.”