The Lexington Minuteman
October 10, 2001

Additional flights scheduled for take-off at Hanscom Field

By Norman Miller, CNC Staff Writer

Two organizations against commercial flights flying out of Hanscom Field vow
to continue to fight, despite the announcement of a major airline connecting
to the field.

Shuttle America, which had been operating flights between Hanscom and
Trenton/Mercer County, N.J., announced yesterday it will now will fall under
the US Airways umbrella and add five round-trips daily between Hanscom and
the US Airways hub in Philadelphia.

The agreement will allow Shuttle America passengers to make connections onto
US Airways flights, buy tickets from US Airways agents and earn frequent
flyer miles with the airline. US Airways has similar marketing arrangements
with 10 carriers, including three it owns.

" I think if anything the events of Sept. 11 indicate that travelers are
looking for alternatives like Hanscom Field, " said Mark Cestari, a
spokesman for Windsor Locks, Conn.-based Shuttle America.

The company, which has filed for bankruptcy, is in the process of being
purchased by Greenwich, Conn.-based Wexford Capital. Two groups fighting the
expansion of the airfield said they weren’t pleased with the announcement.

" I’m disappointed to hear the news, but not terribly surprised because
Shuttle America said they were working on something, " said Margaret Copley,
a spokesman for ShhAir. " We are opposed to commercial passenger traffic at
Hanscom Field. We feel it’s an inappropriate place for that kind of traffic.
"

Marty Pepper Aisenberg, projects director for Save Our Heritage, agreed. "
It’s in the middle of the Minute Man National Park, " said Aisenberg. " The
road by which the people get to the airport is the Battle Road. "

In June, US Airways said it would not add Hanscom service because of
community opposition to expanded flights. Activists are seeking to block the
airport’s growth, claiming it would cause noise pollution and threaten
nearby historic sites.

" We believe that the people in that community in the Bedford area are going
to be given new choices for travel, alternative choices to Boston, " said US
Airways spokesman David Castelveter. " And we believe that brings great
value to the people in this community. "

Copley and Aisenberg said they are worried about what will come next.

" With the backing of a major airline, it’s kind of like the camel sticking
it’s nose in the tent — you don’t know where it’s going to go next, " Copley
said. " We’ve always said the danger with Shuttle America is not their
flights, but what it opens up, " said Aisenberg. " It could expand to 100
flights a day without supervision. "

Shuttle America is currently the only airline operating out of Hanscom, but
other carriers are interested. The Massachusetts Port Authority, which runs
Hanscom, has been pushing the airport as an alternative to Boston’s crowded
Logan Airport, but has been frustrated by the activists’ opposition.

Currently, both ShhAir and Save our Heritage have a court case in front of
U.S. Federal Court to force Hanscom to perform a historical and
environmental impact on the area. Until that decision comes down, the two
groups said they will continue to try to get their word across.

" We will continue to get the message out nationally, " said Aisenberg. " We
have a national board, and we will continue to bring attention that America’
s park — where America began — is in danger of being consumed by the traffic
and pollution of a commercial airline.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
© Copyright 1995-2001 - Town Online - All Rights Reserved
==========
**NOTICE: In accordance with 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.**
==========