Bedford Minuteman
April 24, 2003

Massport eyes rate changes; HFAC wants time to review

By Barbara Forster / Correspondent

The Hanscom Field Advisory Commission is yelling "Foul" and, not surprisingly, the target is Massport.

Proposed rate and fee changes at Hanscom Field for pilots and aviation-related businesses at the field are the source of the conflict.

In a seven to zero vote (representatives from Signature Flight Support and Jet Aviation abstained), the commission decided to ask the Massport Board of Directors for time to review proposed rate changes at the field and "await our (the commission's) advice before taking any action."

Commission members noted that their advice would be presented in an "expeditious" fashion and in time for changes to be effective as of July 1; the Massport board is scheduled to vote in the changes in May.

For the past month or so, Massport has met with its tenants to discuss the changes. HFAC members, however, believe that Massport also should have presented the proposals to the commission.

"Decisions about fee structures are fairly important policy decisions," said HFAC Chairman Peter Enrich. "Those strike me as the kind of policy decisions that should be shared with this commission."

Selectman Sara Mattes of Lincoln agreed, pointing out that part of the commission's responsibility is to provide an opportunity for discussion on such issues among various constituencies on the commission -- the communities, pilots, and aviation-related businesses.

Businesses at the field are in the middle on the issue.

"It's just good community relations for Massport to communicate their long-term intentions," said David Vaughn, spokesperson for Signature. "But I don't know how much influence the commission has."

On the other hand, although Signature's company policy is to be "supportive of the landlord" and even as they understand why Massport wants the rate hike, their goal is "reasonable" fees that don't drive away customers.

Enrich noted that fee/rate changes could affect fleet mix at the field and thus have a significant impact on nearby communities. If fees are too high, for example, smaller planes could be forced out and replaced by large corporate operators.

"This has profound implications for the character of the airport," added Mattes.

Several non-aviation commission members learned about the impending hikes via a weekend newspaper article. But Massport representative Richard Walsh noted that the commission was made aware of the agencies intentions to raise fees last month during Airport Director Barbara Patzner's annual presentation.

"I do recall Barbara mentioning the deficit and that they were going to cover it with fees," said Larry Jorash of Signature Flight Support, an aviation-related business rep on the commission.

Enrich acknowledged that information may be been presented, "but nothing was said that would trigger my sensitivities."

In addition, the annual report has mentioned raising rates for the past three years. Furthermore, continued Enrich, Patzner did not mention that Massport had definite plans to meet with airport tenants to specifically discuss the subject.

HFAC and Massport have been down the "how-the-process-works" route before. Four years ago, the communities went to court to secure a temporary injunction to stop Shuttle America from beginning service. One argument was that the commission was not given sufficient time to review the airline's proposal, its effect on the various Hanscom constituencies, and advise the Massport board. Back then, Middlesex Superior Court Judge Herman Smith, Jr. who ruled in favor of Massport, commented that the commission need only receive an opportunity to "review and (react) to Massport's decisions."

What Happens Next?

Exact rates are not yet established and Massport has several more meetings with their tenants.

But whether Massport presents the rate proposal to HFAC before the board of directors makes a decision is another matter. Although Walsh promised to relay the commission's concerns and request, he stated that this was a business matter between the agency and its tenants.

"Massport does not negotiate or discuss business matters at a a public forum," he said after the meeting. "Massport is still having a series of meetings where they (tenants) are commenting and asking for discussions. It's not proper to have a forum where they are not the focus of the meeting."

Aviation Speaks

How Hanscom tenants feel about the hike varies. The raises could potentially force some individual private pilots to find other homes. But Massport thinks the number leaving would be tiny and not affect fleet mix. According to Walsh, the agency surveyed pilots on the waiting list for tie-down/hangar space about the new rates.

"One hundred fifty said they were still interested," he said. "We feel that even with the new rates, we won't be driving GA (general aviation) out of Hanscom."

"Charter operations will be affected the most," said HFAC member Frank Diglio of Jet Aviation. "But if it's time-convenient the business community will still continue to come in."

"If it makes sense for someone to come, they will," added Jorash.

The size of the rates concerned John Williams, who is president of the newly-established Massachusetts Business Aviation Association and vice chairman of Sentient Jet of Norwell. He explained that the impetus for the increases was driven by the fact that rates haven't changed much for 15 years.

"So the catch-up is sizable," he added. "One suggestion was a phase-in over several years."

Paying more could be more palatable, however, if the money flows into improvements at the field.

More News

Walsh also announced that earlier this month Federal Express called Massport looking for rates and charges at Hanscom. Except to respond to the specific questions, Walsh added that "we have done nothing to pursue them."

"Keep in mind that this is a telephone call," added Jorash. "It's not uncommon for airlines to do call-arounds."

Notifying HFAC about the "cold call" was a departure from Massport's standard practice, said Walsh. Since 1999 the agency has waited until they could present something in writing.

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