Avports

This morning, we hosted +200 East Haven and New Haven elementary, middle, and high schoolers at Tweed for our Exploring Aviation Open House with Avelo Airlines! Throughout the half-day event, students had the opportunity to: ? Get a behind-the-scenes tour of HVN. ? Explore a Next-Generation Boeing 737 jetliner. ? Meet with aviation professionals. ? Take an up-close look at an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck and ground support equipment. Thank you to East Haven Public Schools, New Haven Public Schools, Momauguin Elementary School, the East Haven Aviation Explorers, and the Connecticut Yankee Council - Boy Scouts of America for visiting and helping us inspire the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals!

Today, on International Women's Day (#IDW25), we celebrate the women who lead, inspire, and leave an enduring impact. It is with deep sadness that I also take this moment to honor on this day the late Kimberly Maddox, our Vice President of Human Resources at Avports, who passed away last week after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Kimberly embodied #TheAvportsWay culture in everything she did. She was more than a leader and an exemplary woman—she was a mentor, a fierce advocate for her colleagues and women's and minorities' rights, and a guiding force in shaping the values that define our company. Her presence was one of grace, confidence, and strength. She carried herself with gravitas, commanded respect effortlessly, and always did so with impeccable style. Kimberly’s fashion sense was an extension of her personality, sophisticated, bold, and elegant, just like the way she led. She poured her heart into every project, and her passion was especially evident in one of her final contributions, the public-private partnership for the US Virgin Islands airports in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Our consortium SkyCity, won that bid, and Kimberly proudly played a pivotal leadership role not only in securing it, but also in ensuring we kicked-off a seamless employee transition. The last photo I took of her was during our final bid presentation last year, a moment that perfectly captured her beautiful smile, dedication, leadership, and the pride she took in her work. Her dedication to fostering a workplace built on integrity, inclusion, and collaboration helped me reshape the culture of Avports, creating an environment where people felt supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Her legacy is one of leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to people. As we celebrate the achievements of women everywhere today, we also honor the indelible impact Kimberly had on our team and our lives. Her presence is deeply missed, but her influence will continue to shape us for years to come. Rest in peace, Kimberly. I will miss you dear colleague and friend. Thank you for everything. Your light will continue to shine in me and all of us at Avports and beyond.

Last week, our Deputy Chief and A- Shift Captain attended the foam application course at DFW. This invaluable training will aid our team and our client as we transition to the new F3 foam. When training dollars are a premium, how do you decide who should attend a given training course. This was easy, our Deputy Chief is responsible for operations/training. and the A-shift Captain is a company officer and importantly our Avports site, safety lead. They will lead our onsite training for our ARFF team. Grateful for their willingness to do this redeye flight, where Captain Good returned to an overnight snow operations, he was command of. #theavportsway

?? The Countdown to Routes Americas 2025 is On! ?? I’ll be at Routes Americas 2025 in Nassau/Paradise Island this week and looking forward to catching up with old airline friends and new airport industry colleagues. If you're exploring new market opportunities, let’s talk about Manassas Regional Airport (HEF)—the newest commercial airport in the Washington, D.C. metro area, launching service in late 2025. HEF offers airlines a cost-effective, uncongested alternative, with strong demand from both airlines and passengers. Infrastructure is moving forward, and we’re having great conversations about what comes next. If you haven’t seen it yet, Simple Flying just covered HEF’s upcoming launch: ?? Manassas Airport Expected to Launch Commercial Flights in 2025 https://lnkd.in/g4QMWbij I’ll be around all week—let’s connect and talk HEF/HVN -- our two fastest growing P3 developments! And if you find me at Atlantis, I may even have a few drink tickets for The Big Game. ???? See you in Nassau! #RoutesAmericas #ManassasHEF #AviationDevelopment #AirService #Avports #flyManassas https://lnkd.in/gtjNW8Qk

My Behind The Scenes Tour of the Operations of Tweed Airport ?? When you think of airports, you often imagine terminals, jet engines roaring, and long security lines. But my recent tour of Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) offered a behind-the-scenes look at how this regional airport operates—and why it’s a critical hub for Southern CT. Tweed-New Haven Airport has a fascinating history. Originally opened in 1931 as New Haven Municipal Airport, it became a U.S. Air Force training base for radio and maintenance personnel during WWII. And then in 1961, the airport was renamed to honor John H. “Jack” Tweed, a pioneering Connecticut aviator and the airport’s first manager. Over the decades, however, Tweed faced challenges. Airlines came and went, often struggling to meet the demands of the region, which left many in Southern Connecticut longing for a reliable travel hub. Today, Tweed-New Haven Airport is undergoing a transformation. Managed by Avports and serving as a hub for Avelo Airlines, with new service from Breeze Airways, Tweed is one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation. During my tour, I saw the air traffic control team coordinate takeoffs, landings, and ground traffic with precision. The operations team ensures the runways, taxiways, and facilities remain in optimal condition. To accommodate existing demand and unlock new opportunities for the region, Tweed is planning a +$200 million expansion which will include a new terminal and extended runway, along with four gates, expanded security, advanced baggage handling, and improved concessions. The expansion will increase capacity, improve the passenger experience, and incorporate sustainable design to enhance the airport's climate resiliency. I was impressed by Tweed’s environmental efforts. Alongside growth, the airport has invested in sustainability, partnering with NASA on future aviation and implementing EV chargers and noise mitigation for surroundin neighborhoods. For Southern Connecticut, Tweed is more than just an airport—it’s a gateway to new possibilities. The expanded routes offered by Avelo and Breeze now connect the region to over 33 destinations, reducing the need to travel to larger airports in New York or Boston. The economic impact is also significant, with over 500 CT-based employees. The airport’s growth is driving job creation, tourism, and investment to the area. Local businesses benefit from new market opportunities, and advertising opportunities with one of Connecticut’s rising stars. As my tour ended, it was clear that Tweed-New Haven is no longer the quiet regional airport of the past. It’s a thriving, small hub redefining air travel for Southern Connecticut. With its expansion plans and commitment to the community, Tweed is set to become a cornerstone of regional transportation. If you haven’t flown out of Tweed yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a testament to how innovation and vision can transform a local institution into a regional powerhouse.

Excited to see The New York Times spotlight Tweed-New Haven Airport, Avelo, Breeze and Avports—highlighting the transformative potential of regional airports in delivering vital air service, economic growth, and job creation to underserved communities. As I've long noted, U.S. airports are now experiencing the surge of ULCC (ultra-low-cost carriers) growth that Europe embraced decades ago. To fully capitalize on these opportunities, regional airports need investment, development, and operational expertise. At Avports, we're proud to partner with public airport owners and authorities under public-private partnerships (P3s)—like those at Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut and Manassas Airport in DC/Northern Virginia. These collaborations allow us to help airports reach their full potential, creating a lasting positive impact for the communities they serve, it's #theavportsway! The future of regional air travel is bright, and we're excited to be part of this journey! Link to article: https://lnkd.in/e9imQgTv Avports Avelo Airlines Breeze Airways?

Holiday Message from #HVN ???? As we look ahead to 2025, we reflect on a successful 2024 filled with growth, meaningful community connections, and a commitment to delivering more for you. Since 2021, we've proudly served over 2.8 million passengers, making HVN one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S. This success is a direct result of the trust and support we’ve received from the Southern #Connecticut community, and it’s a testament to the nearly century-long history that has shaped us. As we chart our path for the future and look ahead to another landmark year, we remain grounded in the values that have always been at our core: providing affordable, convenient #travel, and fostering connections that go far beyond a simple flight. Thank you for being part of that journey. Wishing you a very happy, joyful, and safe holiday season. ?? The Tweed-New Haven Airport Team Stay up-to-date with exciting news and airport developments by subscribing to "The HVN Connection" Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eeEue9m3