New Haven Independent

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | February 23, 2008 12:48 AM

I have been a fan of cutting our $800,000 annual subsidy to Tweed because it seems like people have been complaining about the airport being ineffective for many years. A member of our group just look at some number from Tweed documentation indicating that it turns out that for the 12 months ending 7/31/2006 there were a total of 54,392 aircraft operations of which less than 1% were scheduled/commercial.

Almost the entirety of these operations are for private planes (91%), air-taxi's/charters (7%) and 2% for military flights. The New Haven subsidy of $800,000 for 2007-8 could be eliminated and absorbed by a charge of $12.42 per flight. Even if each flight has only 2 passengers this comes to $6.21 per passenger.

This seems to be a no brainer. Cut the subsidy, charge the $12/flight and let the airport have the chance of becoming viable. If they can't do it, let it fail and cut our losses. For $12/flight, we should be able to walk away from this controversial expenditure at a time of a $17 Million shortfall, escalating taxes, and tired tax payers.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 24, 2008 11:55 AM

Great research Jeffery and friends!! It is a no brainier! If you can afford a charter you can afford an extra 12.00's!

But your research also seems to bring up something else...at least to me. Only 1% is commercial. I feel a bit used and flambusuled!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 24, 2008 12:30 PM

Jeffery just a funny side note. You should do a doccumentary on your work because you are the Micheal Moore of New Haven! tHANK YOU FOR EDUCATING US!

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | February 25, 2008 4:19 PM

I just need a video camera :-)

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 25, 2008 4:26 PM

Tweed's a train wreck - I'm glad they're all sitting around having tea and crumpets to discuss with Easthaveners what they're doing and why - that should have happened long ago. Problem is, they should do it with New Haven taxpayers too especially when you're looking for another $800 - $900,000 in dependency payments next year. It will be nice to see the website updated since it hasn't been in 18 months. What exactly are the econimic benefits to New Haven taxpayers, of keeping Tweed open? Are there any, or is it just group think and group talking points? And perhaps, ego?

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 26, 2008 10:12 AM

New information just published today shows why Tweed lovers have misplaced their affection. Bradley passenger counts are down a whopping 900,000 from 2005 despite a $200 million investment and expansion. That's because the airlines are pulling out the long haul routes and forcing passengers on to a lower number of flights and into more profitable hubs. The same is true at T.F. Green in Providence. According to the attached article, regional airports like Bradley have fallen out of favor with the airlines.

Now if Bradley is out of favor - how in the world would Tweed be in favor? This is never going to happen.

Further, NH CAN's information is correct which means the future of Tweed is not with the leisure or business traveler which make up a minority of the airport's use - it's with all the othe flights and activities that happen there and they should be the ones who pony up the expense instead of New Haven taxpayers.

Here's the article:

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news4635.html