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Task force says don't reup New Castle Airport lease

The Wilmington Airport Task Force recommends that New Castle County not renew its lease with the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

 

The 30-year lease will automatically renew for another 30 years in 2025 if the county does not send notification of non-renewal to the DRBA by June 30.

 

And New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer says the taskforce, with the help of Airport Business Solutions, unanimously settled on a recommended path forward

"The option chosen by the task force was the option where we do not renew the lease and we bid it out," said Meyer. "Right now as I understand it, County Council is considering whether we in the county should send a letter to the Delaware River Bay Authority saying we do not want to renew the lease."

But Meyer adds the task force decision is not an indictment on how the DRBA is running the airport.

"I don't necessarily see it as some judgment on how DRBA is running the airport and also, to be frank, my guess is like anything if you look at DRBA you can find ways that they can do better and ways they can do worse," said Meyer "So, I don't think that's a very valuable exercise. The valuable exercise from my perspective is what's the best way for us to move forward in the county taxpayers interest."

Meyer adds the taskforce also recommends opening the bidding on a new airport lease out to experienced airport managers and developers including the DRBA, with the goal of maximizing economic vibrancy, job creation, and some commercial service.

Meyer says that means much more than just pursuing commercial service there.

"Amazon, eBay, the cargo you know eCommerce Cargo in little airports like New Castle County Airport have become even more valuable. You have things like Uber Jet right where there's an app, I don't even know if these things still operate right now in the current situation like Wheels Up."

Meyer adds when the economy gets back up to speed, the corporate jet market should be vibrant, and there’s the opportunity to train pilots like at the airport in Sussex County.

Frontier Airlines put its plans to bring commercial service to the airport on hold when the coronavirus pandemic hit, but is now accepting reservations online for November.

New Castle County Council will decide whether or not to accept the task force recommendation.  A notice of non-renewal is needed by June 30th to avoid an automatic lease renewal with DRBA.

 

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
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