New FAA progam allows greater flexibility
in running the airport
WHITE PLAINS – Three proposals to operate Westchester County Airport in a public-private partnership were submitted to the county by the deadline on Friday afternoon.
County Director of Communications and Senior Advisor to the county executive,
Ned McCormack, said they will be reviewed next week by Frasca & Associates,
the consultant hired by the county to oversee the request for proposals
process, to determine whether they meet the requirements established by
the county.
McCormack said under the RFP, the county airport “will continue to operate within its existing footprint. The current number of runways, gates and passenger cap remain the same.”
He said the reason for the RFP is so the county “can take advantage of a Federal Aviation Administration program that would allow millions of dollars of profits generated at Westchester County Airport to be used for the benefit of all residents and businesses.”
McCormack said under the current contract structure, “money made at the airport must stay at the airport. The FAA program unlocks those revenues so they can be used t help pay for police, parks, roads, day care and other county services.”
He noted the airport has been run by a private company since the end of World War II. “The difference is that the FAA program allows the county to negotiate more favorable terms for residents and the flying public,” McCormack said.
