FAA Finalizes Environmental Assessment for Tweed-New Haven Airport’s Runway and Terminal

Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) determination that the formal review of the airport’s Environmental Assessment to build a new terminal and extend the runway is now complete. Airport officials called the FAA’s decision a “major milestone” in ongoing efforts to establish HVN as a sustainable airport, which include plans to lengthen the runway and construct a modern, environmentally friendly terminal.

The FAA’s decision comes in the form of a “Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Record of Decision (ROD),” which is the standard process the FAA uses for issuing its determination on environmental assessments. First explored in the 2021 Master Plan, and then announced in 2021 in partnership with Avports, the changes at HVN are designed to support more convenient and affordable flights to more destinations for southern Connecticut flyers, while also growing jobs in the region. Today’s approval from the FAA will allow the project to move into a new phase which will include design work for both the runway and terminal as well as obtaining various regulatory approvals and associated permits.

“We are thrilled with the FAA’s decision — the greater Southern Connecticut deserves a convenient and affordable alternative for leisure and business travel, while addressing and mitigating the environmental impacts,” said Matt Hoey, Chairman of the The New Haven Airport Authority Board. “This milestone is one of several needed to fulfill a vision of what could be possible at Tweed, and it moves us closer to realizing that vision via the expansion of the runway and a new terminal. We look forward to working with our partner, Avports, to make that vision a reality.“

“Convenient and reliable travel options from the New Haven region are an important component of our efforts to stimulate and attract business and job growth in the area, and the service that Tweed-New Haven Airport provides is a key contributor to these goals”, said Governor Ned Lamont. “The release of this assessment today is a big step forward to ensuring that south-central Connecticut has the reliable transportation opportunities this region needs to grow economically. Additionally, it will ensure that there are commonsense noise and traffic mitigation measures in place that will retain the neighborhood’s quality of life. I am appreciative of Tweed’s partnership with the state and look forward to the airport’s many more years of success.”

“Today’s determination by the Federal Aviation Administration is another important step toward the development of Tweed-New Haven Airport in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “I am grateful for the work of the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, the many technical professionals and our residents who participated in this process. This is a big step, but just one of many steps, as we support Avelo and build the new terminal all with the lens toward economic growth and the wellbeing of the surrounding community.”

“We remain committed to ensuring that this expansion is executed in an environmentally sustainable manner,” said Jorge Roberts, CEO of Avports. “We also remain committed to an active dialogue with our neighbors. Tweed New-Haven will continue to see additional activity

in the coming years, and the environmental assessment makes clear that this project can and will reduce the airport’s overall environmental impact to the region as that growth occurs.”

“This determination by the FAA marks another major milestone in the work to enhance HVN and fully realize a more-than $100 million investment by Avports in Southern Connecticut, and this ruling from the FAA is another step toward the promise fulfilling a more sustainable future for HVN,” said Thomas Rafter, Executive Director of the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority.

“Today’s news is another critical step forward for Tweed-New Haven airport,” said Chris DiPentima, CEO of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA). “Improvements at the airport in recent years have grown jobs and increased convenience for flyers. This approval from the FAA will keep the airport on track to becoming an even more important economic driver for Southern Connecticut in the years to come.”

The draft environmental assessment, which was submitted to the FAA in March, was conducted by HVN with the support of national aviation consulting firm McFarland Johnson. The environmental assessment process included multiple public meetings and public comment period, allowing the public to learn more about the proposed project and to provide input.

The FONSI/ROD from the FAA and the final Environmental Assessment can be viewed here: https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/ara/tweed-new-haven-airport-expansion-plan. The final Environmental Assessment makes clear that the planned project would improve the airport’s future environmental impact, including:

● Reducing noise by reducing the number of total necessary flights and shifting aircraft ground noise further from residences.

● Reducing impact on air quality when compared to a future in which no improvements are made to the airport.

● Building a new terminal that is within the footprint of a closed runway and taxiway field, and which minimizes impact on undisturbed wetlands.

● Keeping impact to wildlife and plant life below all federal and local thresholds (the project site contains no critical habitats for threatened or endangered species).

● Mitigating the impact of current driver experience as studied across 11 key local intersections.

This Environmental Assessment meets the requirements of NEPA and is required for all such projects by the FAA and outlines the purpose and need for the project, analyzing alternatives and potential impacts, and demonstrates compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, and requires public participation. This EA process began on November 18, 2021 and has included extensive research and information from a variety of sources, including: scientific studies, community input, and collaboration with numerous local, state, and federal agencies including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.