The Massachusetts Port Authority's (Massport) plan to increase service from Worcester Regional Airport got a boost when a local citizens panel came out in favor of an access road to the Central Massachusetts airport. The Airport Citizens Advisory Committee voted 10-4 last week to recommend construction of a roadway to improve access to the underutilized facility.

Massport took over the operation of Worcester Airport in January 2000 as part of its on-going effort to ease the burden on Logan International Airport and equitably distribute air traffic throughout New England. As of July 2001, Worcester Regional Airport handled more than 80,000 passengers as compared to 53,100 during the same period in 2000, a 51% increase. During the month of July alone, Worcester handled 16, 278 passengers making it the busiest month since Massport began operating the airport.

The revitalization of Worcester Airport is a key component of the state's regional aviation strategy, which includes improving ground access to nearby Manchester Airport and T.F. Green in Providence, both among the fastest growing regional airports in the country.

In addition, Massport and the FAA have undertaken the second phase of a regional transportation study that will analyze issues such as:

the impact of regional jets on the services and routes offered at regional airports,
the impact of low cost carriers,
increased utilization of multi-modal transportation as complements to air service,
improved access to regional airports to boost passenger convenience and encourage further use of these facilities,
and exploring alternate locations for charter, cargo, and general aviation activity.

More than a decade of study and planning has yielded results in efficiently and fairly spreading the burden and benefits of air travel. Due to increased use of regional airports, passenger growth at Logan has fallen to two percent or lower over the past two years. In addition, the number of flights in and out of Logan has declined by 5.7% over those same two years, bucking national trends showing unprecedented growth in aviation.

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