The manager of airport administration at Hanscom Field asserted on Tuesday that no scheduled passenger service has been approved there, despite indications on the websites and other promotions of two small carriers.
Amber Goodspeed told the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission that neither Hanscom-based Waltzing Matilda Airlines nor Southern Airways Express from Florida has secured an operating agreement with the Massachusetts Port Authority, the airport operator.
Although Hanscom hosts several on-demand charter operations, “neither Southern Airways nor Waltzing Matilda has expressed an interest in scheduled passenger service at Hanscom Field,” she stated. “Anybody can approach Massport and ask for permission to operate as a scheduled passenger service. But no one can do that without entering into an operating agreement with the authority.”
Waltzing Matilda, which promotes itself as “the largest light jet charter operator based at Hanscom,” announces on its website that this fall, “following necessary regulatory approvals, Waltzing Matilda Aviation will continue its amazing growth as a scheduled passenger airline connecting Toronto with numerous business centers in the US Northeast and Midwest.”
Southern Airways Express is promoting a Bedford-Nantucket flight beginning in September as a scheduled service.
“People understandably were surprised by the advertising,” said HFAC Chair Chris Eliot.
Goodspeed acknowledged that Southern “expressed interest that they wish to explore potential service but they have not presented anything. That kind of proposal has to go before the Massport Board.”
Michael Lynch, community engagement officer with the regional office of the Federal Aviation Administration, noted that his agency approves scheduled service as well. That process can take two or three years. Any advertising before that is “purely a business decision.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
Loading ...
