After it was brought to light that Tweed Airport in New Haven has been operating without a license, the airport now says they've obtained one.
The Connecticut Airport Authority sent Tweed a letter on Tuesday saying it would have to take action by Nov. 3 this year if Tweed hasn't submitted a license renewal application by then.
A Tweed New Haven Airport Authority spokesperson said they submitted the application as a courtesy.
"HVN submitted the application to the CAA as a courtesy, while simultaneously reiterating that our airport is not subject to licensure by the CAA under state or federal law, and also that it would be inappropriate and harmful to Connecticut flyers to have the operator of the state's largest airport regulating a competitor. CAA subsequently approved the license."
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Tweed has a limited amount of passenger flights offered by Avelo Airlines. NBC Connecticut has reached out to the CAA but has not yet heard back.
A spokesperson for Tweed said that the situation concerning the CAA’s Oct. 3 letter has no impact whatsoever on service at Tweed.
In a September meeting, CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon said that in 2022, Tweed captured roughly 7% more of the Connecticut market than it did in 2019.
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A spokesperson said the Tweed New Haven Authority is considering submitting an application for a license as a courtesy to work with the CAA, but maintains that the CAA does not have any regulatory oversight over Tweed.
In response, the Connecticut Airport Authority released a statement:
The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) can confirm that the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority submitted a license application on October 18th, and that the CAA approved its license on October 19th. The CAA is pleased that Tweed complied, but notes several corrections to recent public statements on this matter. The assertion that this license was submitted solely as a “courtesy” is factually and legally incorrect. All Connecticut airports, regardless of whether or not they have regular oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration, must comply with state licensing laws. The state’s regulatory framework was established to maintain safety and consistency across all Connecticut airports. It is also wholly incorrect to insinuate that the CAA has used its regulatory authority in a biased manner for competitive purposes. In fact, over the past ten years that the CAA has held its statewide regulatory authority, it has only exercised that authority once as it relates to the operation of an airport. That instance entailed the CAA assisting an airport in maintaining clear airspace and safe approaches – and that airport was Tweed-New Haven Airport.
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