Airport encouraged by federal leaseInspectors rent in WorcesterWORCESTER— The federal government — in what local officials view as a vote of confidence in the city’s future as a regional air hub — has signed a lease that provides space for U.S. security personnel at Worcester Regional Airport. “This is good news for the airport because there’s an assumption by the federal government that the airport will succeed and that the facility will eventually get more flights,” said Thaddeus J. Jankowski Jr., assistant city manager for operations. The Airport Commission recently agreed to a five-year deal that will provide 964 square feet of space to the Transportation Security Administration on the first floor of the terminal building.
City officials said the space will allow the TSA to permanently station seven to nine security inspectors at the airport, as well as the requisite equipment and office furnishings. As a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the federal government assigns such personnel to inspect passengers boarding large commercial aircraft. Without the necessary space at the airport, the TSA has been shuttling in staff to inspect individuals boarding Allegiant Air jets to Florida, as well as those traveling on large charter craft. The TSA will be renting the space at $11.50 per square foot; city officials said that translates into about $11,000 in annual payments. Officials said the first three years are guaranteed and the TSA has an option to continue the lease for an additional two. The pact went into effect in December. The TSA offices are located in an area to the rear of the first floor that is not readily accessible to the public. City officials said the deal is a good one because the space would have been difficult to rent out, even if the airport were at maximum passenger capacity. They view the TSA agreement as another sign that the airport is poised for a turnaround. Last month, Julie A. Jacobson, assistant city manager for neighborhood and economic development, reported that Las Vegas-based Allegiant, the only carrier providing regularly scheduled flights at the airport, is successfully attracting customers. According to Ms. Jacobson, Allegiant’s average load on flights in and out of Worcester has been 82 percent. The average load figure for the airline industry as a whole, over the 12-month period ending in September, was 78 percent. While Allegiant may be faring well here, city officials admit they must find other airlines interested in using the airport. Mr. Jankowski said city officials are seriously “chasing” an upstart airline. Despite turbulence in the airline industry — including news this week that Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots might strike over threatened pay cuts by management, Mr. Jankowski said several new low-cost carriers are thriving and many might consider Worcester as a place to do business. Meanwhile, Hooters Air is one airline that will not be using the Tatnuck Square neighborhood airfield. Executives recently announced that the 3-year-old airline will stop regularly scheduled air service April 17 and will only run private charters out of Winston, N.C. There was some speculation that Hooters — an offshoot of the international restaurant chain known for its chicken wings and female waitresses dressed in snug T-shirts and orange shorts — might locate in Worcester, following a report aired last fall by WBZ-TV Channel 4. However, city officials said that they never entered into negotiations with the carrier, one of several that a consultant had recommended might merit consideration. Late yesterday, TSA officials could not be reached for comment on the agency’s move to the airport.
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>>> Looks like another $11,000 to the bottom line. Every little bit counts.
