Tweed New Haven Airport

Tue Sep 10 2024

Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) has a complex history marked by efforts to expand its role in Connecticut’s transportation network, while dealing with community impacts regarding noise, environmental impacts, and economic sheet balances. Located in East Haven and New Haven, Connecticut, the airport serves a relatively small portion of the state’s air traffic. Its efforts to expand and accommodate larger commercial flights have been met with opposition from nearby communities.

Early History and Development of Tweed New Haven Airport

- Founding and Early Years

Tweed New Haven Airport was founded in 1931 and was originally a small, local airport serving New Haven and surrounding towns. It became particularly important during World War II as a training and military airport.

Over the following decades, HVN transitioned to civilian use, with airlines offering limited commercial services. The airport primarily handled regional flights and private aviation, but its location close to both New Haven and New York City made it a valuable asset for air travel.

- Attempts to Attract Commercial Airlines

In the 1980s and 1990s, HVN made multiple attempts to attract larger commercial airlines and increase passenger traffic, but these efforts were met with challenges. Nearby Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford already served much of Connecticut’s air traffic, and airlines were hesitant to invest heavily in HVN.

Several small carriers came and went, and Tweed remained underutilized for many years. A lack of infrastructure, such as short runways that could not accommodate larger planes, made it difficult for the airport to grow beyond its limited scope.

- Push for Expansion in the 2000s

Runway Expansion Controversy:

One of the central issues in Tweed’s modern history has been the push to expand its main runway. The current runway length of 5,600 feet limits the size of planes that can operate at HVN, effectively capping its capacity for larger commercial flights.
In the early 2000s, airport officials proposed extending the runway to allow larger aircraft and longer-distance flights, which would make Tweed a more competitive airport and attract new carriers. This proposal was met with opposition from local residents and environmentalists who were concerned about the noise, environmental impact, and potential for increased air traffic.
Legal battles ensued as the city of New Haven, the state of Connecticut, and local opposition groups debated the need for expansion. East Haven residents, in particular, expressed concerns about noise pollution from more frequent flights and larger jets. Despite these challenges, the Connecticut state legislature passed a law in 2009 that allowed for the possibility of runway expansion, though no immediate action followed.

The 2009 Memorandum of Agreement:

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of New Haven, the Town of East Haven, and the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority marked a significant moment in the history of Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport. The agreement was primarily established to address ongoing disputes related to the airport's expansion and operations, particularly concerning noise, environmental impacts, and land use.

Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, located between New Haven and East Haven, had long been a point of contention between the two municipalities due to its proximity to residential areas and its potential for expansion.

Key Points

Runway Length Limitation: The MOA set a cap on the airport's runway length at 5,600 feet. This was a crucial point, as extending the runway was seen by some as essential to attracting more commercial flights, while residents of East Haven and environmental groups opposed the expansion due to concerns over noise, traffic, and environmental degradation.
Noise Mitigation Measures: The MOA required the airport to implement noise abatement procedures to minimize the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding neighborhoods. This included designating specific flight paths and times of operation to reduce the disturbance to local residents.
Environmental and Land Use Restrictions: The agreement placed restrictions on further land acquisition and development to limit the environmental impact of the airport. The wetlands and coastal areas surrounding the airport were particularly sensitive, and there were concerns about habitat disruption and water pollution.
Community Involvement: The MOA called for increased communication and transparency between the airport authority and local residents. Regular public meetings and consultations were required to address community concerns and ensure that future development projects were undertaken with input from all stakeholders.

New Haven’s Termination of the Agreement (2019):

In 2019, the City of New Haven made the decision to terminate the MOA, effectively paving the way for future expansion efforts at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport.

By terminating the agreement, New Haven aimed to facilitate the extension of Tweed's runway and enhance its facilities to accommodate larger planes and more flights, with the goal of boosting regional economic development and improving air travel connectivity. The city argued that the outdated restrictions in the MOA were no longer beneficial for the region's evolving transportation and economic needs.

This move was also driven by several factors:

Desire for Economic Growth: New Haven's leaders and airport officials argued that the limitations imposed by the 2009 MOA were holding back the region’s economic potential. Tweed-New Haven Airport had been struggling to attract and maintain commercial airlines due to the short runway and lack of modern facilities. By terminating the agreement, the city hoped to attract more airlines and increase passenger traffic.
Increased Air Travel Demand: By 2019, there was growing demand for more commercial flights in the region, especially as nearby airports such as Bradley International Airport in Hartford and New York City-area airports were becoming increasingly congested. New Haven officials believed that expanding Tweed could alleviate some of this pressure and provide more convenient travel options for residents of southern Connecticut.
State Support: The State of Connecticut had signaled support for the expansion of Tweed-New Haven Airport. In 2019, Governor Ned Lamont expressed his backing for extending the runway to accommodate larger planes and attract more airlines, further encouraging the termination of the MOA.

Impact of the Termination

The termination of the agreement removed many of the restrictions that had been placed on the airport, particularly the limitation on runway length. This cleared the way for expansion plans that included extending the main runway and modernizing airport infrastructure to handle more flights and larger aircraft.

The termination, due to its flawed execution and questionable reasoning, reignited controversy:

Environmental and Community Concerns: Residents of East Haven, who had been vocal about their opposition to airport expansion for years, expressed strong concerns about the impact of more flights and a longer runway on noise pollution, traffic, and environmental degradation. Environmental groups raised alarms about potential damage to the coastal wetlands and other sensitive areas surrounding the airport.
Legal Challenges: The termination of the agreement also led to the possibility of legal challenges. Some local officials in East Haven argued that the MOA was a binding document, and its unilateral termination by New Haven was not legally valid. These legal challenges were part of a broader struggle over the future direction of the airport and the region.

The runway expansion was driven by a coalition of local and state officials, business leaders, and the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, with the goal of increasing the airport's capacity and enhancing regional air travel.

Key drivers behind the project include:

Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority (TNHAA): The Authority has long advocated for expanding the airport’s runway to accommodate larger aircraft and increase flight operations, arguing that this would make Tweed a more viable option for travelers and reduce reliance on other regional airports like Hartford’s Bradley International or New York-area airports.
Economic Interests: Business leaders and local officials saw the expansion as a key to boosting the region’s economy by attracting more airlines and offering additional flight options, especially to major hubs.
Avports, the Airport Operator: Avports, the private operator of Tweed Airport, also played a significant role in pushing for the expansion, seeing an opportunity to transform the airport into a more competitive regional hub. In 2021, Avports proposed a $100 million investment plan that included the runway expansion and the construction of a new terminal.
State and Local Support: Governor Ned Lamont and other Connecticut officials supported the expansion as part of a broader strategy to improve transportation infrastructure in the state and promote economic development. They emphasized the need for improved connectivity, which Tweed’s expanded runway would help provide.

Partnership with Avelo Airlines (2021)

In 2021, Tweed New Haven Airport entered into a partnership with Avelo Airlines, a low-cost carrier, to establish new commercial service from the airport. Avelo introduced several direct flights to destinations across the East Coast, including Florida.
This marked a significant moment for Tweed, as Avelo's presence increased commercial activity at the airport. The airline saw Tweed as a valuable entry point into the New England market.

The Issues of airports acting as hubs for a budget airline

When an airport becomes a hub for a budget airline, it often generates negative impacts on the surrounding community and infrastructure. These issues can be felt in several areas.

More Frequent Flights: Budget airlines often operate with a high frequency of flights to maximize seat occupancy and profit. This can result in constant takeoffs and landings, often from early morning to late at night. The increase in the number of flights can lead to significant noise pollution, especially in residential areas near the airport.
Increased Carbon Emissions: While budget airlines aim to fill as many seats as possible on each flight, the higher frequency of flights generally leads to a greater overall environmental impact. This includes increased carbon emissions and air pollution from aircraft engines, which can contribute to climate change and poor air quality in the local area.
Runoff and Pollution: As air traffic increases, so does the wear and tear on airport facilities, leading to higher levels of groundwater runoff, containing pollutants like fuel, oil, and de-icing chemicals, which can contaminate local water sources.
Increased Passenger Traffic: A budget airline hub typically attracts more passengers because of the lower ticket prices, leading to a significant increase in the number of people traveling to and from the airport. This can put strain on local infrastructure, such as roads, highways, and public transportation, creating traffic congestion and longer commute times for residents.
Parking and Ride-Hailing Services: Many budget airline passengers may not want to pay for long-term parking, leading to congestion from ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The influx of cars can overwhelm local streets and create parking issues in nearby neighborhoods.
Overburdened Facilities: As passenger traffic increases, airport facilities like terminals, baggage claim, security, and parking lots can become overwhelmed. Smaller airports in particular may struggle to handle the demand from a budget airline hub, leading to long wait times and passenger dissatisfaction.
Public Services: Increased airport activity can place added pressure on local public services such as police, fire departments, and emergency medical services, which may need to respond to emergencies or manage traffic and crowd control during peak travel periods.
Job Creation with Lower Wages: While a budget airline hub can create jobs in the local area, many of these positions are often low-wage service jobs (e.g. ground crew, security, customer service). This can result in economic benefits that are unevenly distributed, with little long-term wealth generation for the local community.
Tourism vs Local Development: Budget airlines often attract tourists looking for quick, inexpensive getaways. In the case of New Haven, this can result in travelers using the airport as a cheap way to go visit other States, hence draining opportunities and expenditures for local businesses.
Increased Noise and Traffic Disruption: For residents living near the airport, the constant air traffic and influx of passengers can negatively impact their quality of life. Noise from overhead planes, traffic jams, and the general hustle and bustle of a busy airport can disrupt the peace of residential neighborhoods, causing stress, frustration, and a loss of enjoyment in their homes.
Property Values: Homes located near busy airports can experience a decline in property values due to noise, pollution, and increased traffic. This can make it more difficult for residents to sell their homes or get a fair market value if they decide to move.
Flight Path Disruptions: Expansion of flight paths to accommodate the increased number of budget airline flights can lead to areas not previously impacted by airport noise becoming exposed to aircraft noise, sparking new concerns in communities farther away from the airport.
Terminal Congestion: Budget airlines operate with slim profit margins, often relying on quick turnarounds and maximum capacity flights. This can lead to overcrowded terminals, security checkpoints, and gates, making the airport experience less comfortable for travelers.
Inadequate Facilities for Larger Crowds: Airports that serve as hubs for budget airlines may not be equipped with enough seating, restrooms, or other amenities to handle the surge in passengers. This can result in poor customer experiences and overburdened airport staff, leading to frustration for both passengers and employees.

New Haven location issues: coastal lowlands and flooding

Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) faces significant challenges related to flooding, due to its location on coastal lowlands near the Long Island Sound. The airport's vulnerability to flooding has raised concerns about its long-term viability, particularly as climate change leads to rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms, and increased precipitation.

Proximity to Coastal Waters: Tweed New Haven Airport is located just a few feet above sea level, in an area adjacent to New Haven Harbor and the East Haven wetlands. Its close proximity to the coast makes it particularly susceptible to storm surges, high tides, and coastal flooding, especially during nor’easters, hurricanes, and other severe weather events.
Low-Elevation Terrain: The flat and low-lying nature of the land surrounding the airport makes it prone to poor drainage, especially during heavy rainfall. This causes water to pool on the airport’s runways, taxiways, and parking areas, leading to operational disruptions.

Impacts of climate change

Rising Sea Levels: As sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, coastal areas like Tweed New Haven Airport are increasingly vulnerable to both permanent inundation and episodic flooding. Even moderate storms are now more likely to cause flooding at the airport, and future sea-level rise projections indicate that this risk will only increase.
Increased Frequency of Storms: Climate change has led to more frequent and severe storms in the Northeast, resulting in heavier rainfall and storm surges. This can overwhelm the airport’s drainage systems and flood prevention infrastructure, causing disruptions to operations.
Hurricanes and Storm Surges: Tweed is at risk of being impacted by hurricanes or tropical storms, which can generate significant storm surges. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy, while primarily affecting New York and New Jersey, demonstrated the vulnerabilities of coastal airports across the Northeast.

Flooding Impacts on Airport Operations

Runway Flooding: Flooding can render the runways at Tweed temporarily unusable, forcing flight delays and cancellations. Water accumulation on the runway can also lead to safety hazards, such as hydroplaning for aircraft during takeoff and landing.
Infrastructure Damage: Repeated exposure to water can cause long-term damage to airport infrastructure, including the pavement on runways and taxiways, as well as electrical systems and lighting. Frequent repairs are costly and can lead to extended closures.
Disruptions to Travel: During flood events, the airport often experiences disruptions to its commercial and private flights. Budget airline Avelo, which recently made HVN a hub, could face operational issues if flooding becomes more frequent, impacting its schedule and customer satisfaction.

Runway Extension EA and the legal battles

The Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) have been central to the airport's expansion plans and the legal challenges surrounding them. These documents and the processes involved have spurred controversy, especially regarding the environmental and community impacts of the airport’s proposed growth. Below is an overview of the EA and FONSI process at Tweed New Haven Airport, along with the related legal challenges.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) is a formal process required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for any federal project that might have environmental implications. For Tweed New Haven Airport, an EA was necessary to evaluate the environmental impacts of the airport's proposed expansion plan, which includes:

Runway extension: Expanding the runway from 5,600 feet to 6,635 feet.
Increased commercial flights: Bringing in more airlines, flights, and passengers.
Airport infrastructure upgrades: Including improvements to terminals and parking facilities.

After conducting the EA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Tweed New Haven Airport’s expansion in August 2021. A FONSI indicates that the FAA determined the proposed actions would not result in significant environmental harm and that a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would not be necessary.

The FONSI essentially gave Tweed New Haven Airport the green light to move forward with its planned runway expansion and associated development without the need for a full EIS, which would have involved a more rigorous and lengthy environmental review process.

The issuance of the FONSI for Tweed’s expansion has been a major point of contention, particularly among local residents, environmental groups, and nearby communities like East Haven. Several concerns have been raised, including:

Noise Pollution: Expanding the airport will increase the number of flights, leading to heightened noise pollution. Local residents have expressed concerns about the disruption to their quality of life, particularly in neighborhoods directly under flight paths.
Wetlands and Flood Risk: As previously discussed, the airport is in a low-lying area prone to flooding, and the surrounding wetlands play a critical role in absorbing excess water. Expanding the airport’s infrastructure could disrupt these natural flood barriers, exacerbating flooding in nearby areas.
Air Quality: An increase in flights could worsen air quality, particularly with the additional traffic and emissions from planes and ground operations. Opponents of the FONSI argue that this was not adequately considered in the EA.
Climate change and carbon emissions: As Connecticut has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, critics argue that expanding the airport contradicts the state’s environmental goals and policies on climate change.

Legal Challenges

Several legal challenges have been raised in response to the EA and FONSI, primarily by local residents, community groups, and environmental organizations. These lawsuits generally argue that the FAA's decision to issue a FONSI was flawed and that a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary. The main legal points are as follows.

Inadequate Environmental Review: Critics argue that the EA conducted for Tweed was insufficient and failed to account for the full scope of potential environmental harm. They claim that the FAA should have required a full EIS due to the airport’s location near sensitive coastal ecosystems and the potential for significant impacts on noise, air quality, and water pollution.
Noise and Quality of Life: Legal challenges often cite noise pollution as a primary concern, arguing that the EA underestimated the impact of increased flights on nearby residents, particularly in East Haven. Noise-related issues could affect property values, health, and overall quality of life.
Flooding and Coastal Protection: Several lawsuits have raised concerns about the airport’s vulnerability to flooding and the potential for increased water runoff into nearby wetlands. These legal actions argue that the EA failed to fully evaluate the risk of flooding and the impacts of expansion on local floodplain management and wetland preservation.
State Environmental Policy Conflicts: Some legal challenges point out that Connecticut’s environmental policies, particularly its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are inconsistent with expanding an airport that will significantly increase air traffic and carbon emissions. Plaintiffs argue that the airport expansion undermines the state’s climate change mitigation efforts.

Key Legal and Political Players

Local Residents and Community Groups: Many of the lawsuits have been initiated by East Haven residents who live closest to the airport and will be most affected by noise and pollution. These community groups have been vocal in their opposition to the airport’s expansion and the FONSI.
Environmental Advocacy Organizations: Environmental groups, such as those focused on protecting wetlands, coastal areas, and reducing carbon emissions, have joined legal efforts to block the expansion. They argue that the airport expansion poses a threat to local ecosystems and global climate goals.
Local and State Officials: Some local officials in East Haven and New Haven have expressed concerns about the expansion and the legal ramifications of moving forward without more thorough environmental review. State legislators are also involved in discussions around how the airport’s expansion aligns with Connecticut’s environmental and infrastructure goals.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of 2023, the legal battles surrounding the EA and FONSI for Tweed New Haven Airport are ongoing. The outcome of these legal challenges could impact whether the airport’s planned expansion moves forward or faces significant delays. If courts rule in favor of the plaintiffs, the FAA may be required to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which would delay the expansion and force the airport to address more stringent environmental mitigation measures.

At the same time, community pressure and environmental advocacy continue to push for greater accountability and a more thorough analysis of the impacts on local residents and the environment. This legal and political struggle reflects broader tensions between claimed economic development and the needed environmental sustainability, a common theme in debates over airport expansions across the US.

Runway Expansion EA and FONSI

https://www.tweedmasterplan.com/nepa-documents

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