Last Friday marked the grand opening of a major 80,000 square foot terminal expansion at Bradley International Airport - BDL, including three new gates and a massive new mile-long baggage handling system. The celebration included federal, state and town officials, CT Airport Authority management and board members, and business and tourism leaders. Project costs were funded by FAA and TSA grants, airport revenues and passenger facility charge user fees. Additional scheduled improvements include addition of two new TSA screening lanes and major new concessions.

Bradley Airport is extremely important to the Connecticut (and Western Massachusetts) economies - and especially to the four airport towns of the Bradley Development League (Windsor Locks, East Granby, Suffield, Windsor). There are about 23,000 jobs related directly or indirectly to the airport, onsite and offsite including many small nearby businesses. It is the second largest airport in New England and offers nonstop flights to more than 40 destinations with 9 different airlines.