Reps Weir and Kennedy Meet with Airport Authority, Discuss Ongoing Work and Challenges

On average, Bradley International Airport has between 200-250 flights coming in and out of the airport on a given day.

Yesterday, State Representative Kathy Kennedy and I were invited by the Connecticut Airport Authority to get a behind the scenes look into the work they’re doing and the ongoing challenges the authority faces.

Our discussions centered around the possibility of merging the Airport Authority with the Connecticut Port Authority, a recent study conducted of Brainard Airport and its viability, ongoing upgrades and renovations to the airport, the regulation of Tweed Airport, and the slight decline in travel numbers post pandemic.

The Connecticut Airport Authority operates Bradley International Airport and the state’s five other aviation airports – Danielson, Groton-New London, Waterbury-Oxford, Windham and Hartford-Brainard. Brainard has been the subject of two studies in the past 8 years, and both studies have concluded that the best use of that land is to keep it as an airport. There are many businesses and opportunities at Brainard, and many are pleased to see that the recommendation was to have Brainard remain open.

Thanks to the Kevin Dillon, Airport Authority’s Executive Director, Bradley Shea, CFO & Deputy Director of Finance, Alex Peterson, Director of Government Affairs and Ben Parish, Director of Operations at Bradley Airport for taking the time to show us around.