Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

APPLICATION UNDER

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

DOCKET DOT-OST-2013-0120

SUMMARY INFORMATION

All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application coversheet, a 

completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal on www.grants.gov. 

For your preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at 

http://www.dot.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-community-rural-air-service/SCASDP

A. PROVIDE THE LEGAL SPONSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS)

NUMBER, INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) OR TAX ID.

LEGAL SPONSOR NAME: WESTOVER METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

DUNS NUMBER: 066980194

EIN/TAX ID: 042553520

B. LIST THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COMMUNITIES APPLYING:

1. WESTOVER METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS 

2.

3.

4.

C. PROVIDE THE FULL AIRPORT NAME AND 3-LETTER IATA AIRPORT CODE FOR THE APPLICANT(S) AIRPORT(S) (ONLY 

PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT(S) THAT ARE ACTUALLY SEEKING SERVICE).

1. WESTOVER METROPOLITAN AIRPORT (CEF) 2.

3. 4.
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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D. LIST THE 2-DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLICABLE TO THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION, AND IF A 

CONSORTIUM, TO EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY.

1. MA-02 2.

3. 4.

E. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

 Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

Community now receives subsidized Essential Air Service

Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air Service Development 

Program Grant

If previous recipient: Year of grant(s): 

F. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATION NAMES)

PUBLIC PRIVATE

1. WESTOVER METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1. GREATER SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

2. 2. REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 

3. 3. WESTFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

4. 4. NORTHAMPTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

5. 5. SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

6. WESTMASS AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

G. PROJECT PROPOSAL: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

Surface Transportation Regional Service Revenue Guarantee

Launch New Carrier Start-up Cost Offset First Service

Study Secure Additional Service Other (explain below)

Gound Handling

H. EXISTING LANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT:

Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

Localizer Other (specify)
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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I. PROJECT COST: DO NOT ENTER TEXT IN SHADED AREA

LINE DESCRIPTION SUB TOTAL TOTAL AMOUNT

1 Federal amount requested $450,000

2 State cash financial contribution

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds $25,000

3b Non-airport cash funds $25,000

3 Total local cash funds (3a + 3b) $50,000

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) $500,000

In-Kind contribution

5a Airport In-Kind contribution** $308,330

5b Other In-Kind contribution**

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 

(5a + 5b)

$308,330

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5) $808,330

J. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS**

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind contribution), please describe the 

source(s) of fund(s) and the value ($) of each.

Westover Metropolitan Airport will waive landing fees, apron fees, terminal use fees, office space rent,

and baggage make-up area fees for up to four flights per week for two years. The annual estimated inkind contribution of these incentives is $154,165, and the estimated two year incentive is $308,330. The 

estimated landing fee incentive is based on maximum gross landing weight of an MD-80 at a rate of 

$1.04/thousand lbs.

K. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS?

a. This application was made available to the state under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review 

on (date) _____________.

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the state for review.

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.

L. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? (IF “YES”, PROVIDE EXPLANATION)

 No Yes (explain) 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY LETTER .................................................................................................................... 5

AIRLINE LETTER OF SUPPORT........................................................................................................... 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 7

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................... 8

Catchment Area and Alternate Airports ................................................................................................................. 8

Westover Metropolitan Airport Has Not Had Scheduled Service since 2008 ........................................................ 9

Air Service Development Efforts ............................................................................................................................ 9

AIR SERVCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES............................................................. 10

Capacity, Traffic and Fare Trends in the Region ................................................................................................. 10

Domestic Fares Versus Domestic Fares at Other Airports in the Lower 48 United States .................................11

STRATEGIC PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 12

Proposed Use of SCASD Funding....................................................................................................................... 12

Objective .............................................................................................................................................................. 13

Grant Amendments/Alternate Strategies ............................................................................................................. 13

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND FUNDING.......................................................... 13

Public / Private Partnerships................................................................................................................................ 13

PROJECT MONITORING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL...................................................................... 14

Project Monitoring ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Sources and Allocations of Project Funding ........................................................................................................ 14

Project Timeline ................................................................................................................................................... 15

Continuation of Project Activities beyond the Grant Timeline.............................................................................. 16

Legal Sponsor...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Financial Controls ................................................................................................................................................ 17
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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INTRODUCTORY LETTER
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

6

AIRLINE LETTER OF SUPPORT
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

7

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Westover Metropolitan Airport is proposing a Small 

Community Air Service Development Grant in the amount 

of $450,000 to supplement a community-based cash 

contribution of $25,000, airport cash funding of $25,000,

and airport in-kind incentives valued at $308,330 to 

market, advertise and promote low-cost carrier service to 

one or more destinations and, in particular, to fund ground 

handling services for the low-cost carrier service. The 

Airport is targeting either Allegiant Air or Frontier Airlines 

to provide the low-cost service.

The Airport believes Allegiant would likely serve one or 

more destinations such as Sanford/Orlando, St. 

Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Ft. Lauderdale and/or Myrtle 

Beach, while Frontier would most likely serve one or more 

destinations such as Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Ft. 

Lauderdale, New Orleans, Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, 

Columbus, Detroit, or Chicago – a route structure similar 

to the route structure Frontier operates from Trenton, New Jersey.

Westover Metropolitan Airport currently has no air service, and service on a low-cost carrier such as Allegiant or 

Frontier is the most likely type of air service the airport can expect to attract. In meetings with each carrier, both 

Allegiant and Frontier have expressed interest in serving Westover. Both Allegiant and Frontier have operated 

Atlantic City charters from Westover within the last 12 months, so the airport has proven its airfield can 

accommodate the type of aircraft Allegiant and Frontier would operate at Westover, and Westover's terminal can 

handle the passenger volume.

Hartford's Bradley International Airport is the closest airport to Westover with commercial airline service, but 

airline capacity and domestic traffic at Bradley is down 37.7% and traffic is down 27.7% since each metric peaked 

within the last ten years in 2005. Hartford's average domestic one-way fare has risen from $131 in 2005 to $191 

in 2012 – an increase of 46.3%. Hartford's average domestic fare is higher than the average fare at the average 

Lower 48 airport, and Hartford's average domestic fare has risen at a faster rate than the increase at the average 

lower 48 airport over the last ten years. Low-cost carrier service from Westover would provide travelers in the 

region with an alternative to the diminished air service in Hartford at what would likely be a lower cost than the 

cost at Hartford.
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW

Catchment Area and Alternate Airports

Westover Metropolitan Airport is located in the heavily populated Northeast Corridor and is located within 

reasonably short drives of large population centers. Based on 2010 population data, 548,270 residents live within 

a 30-minute drive, 1,531,000 live within a 60-minute drive and 3,815,000 million live within a 90-minute drive of 

the airport. Most of the Hartford metropolitan area is located within the 60-minute drive time, and many of the 

western suburbs of Boston are within a 90-minute drive of the airport.

Bradley International Airport in Hartford (BDL) is located approximately 26 miles from Westover, the airport in 

Worcester (ORH) is located approximately 60 miles from Westover, and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) 

is located approximately 100 miles from Westover. The map in Exhibit 1 illustrates drive times from Westover.

Exhibit 1: 30-, 60- and 90-Minute Drive Times from Westover Metropolitan Airport and the Location of the Airports in Hartford, 

Albany, Providence, Boston, and Worcester.
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Westover Metropolitan Airport Has Not Had Scheduled Service since 2008

SkyBus was the last airline to operate scheduled service at Westover when the airline operated service from 

Westover to Columbus, Ohio, and Greensboro, North Carolina, from July 2007 through April 2008, using Airbus 

A319 aircraft. SkyBus ended its service at Westover when the airline filed for bankruptcy; however, SkyBus 

proved Westover Metropolitan Airport could generate traffic when low-cost service is available at the airport.

SkyBus generated as many as 4,475 enplanements in February 2008 and enplaned more than 24,000 

passengers over the eight months the airline reported Westover traffic to the DOT. Based on the average 

number of enplanements per month SkyBus generated in the eight months it reported data, it would have 

enplaned approximately 36,400 passengers over a 12-month period, and SkyBus would have generated 53,700 

enplanements based on the 4,475 enplanements generated in February 2008.

Air Service Development Efforts

Westover Metropolitan Airport speaks with low-cost carriers on a regular basis. Discussions with Allegiant Air 

have been ongoing for about three years, and the airport had its first meeting with Frontier Airlines in October 

2012. Allegiant is particularly interested in the Westover market as an alternative airport to the airports in 

Hartford, Boston and Worcester. A discussion with Frontier seemed promising. Given Frontier's recent new 

service from the airport in Trenton, as an alternate to airline service offered from Philadelphia to ten destinations, 

Frontier service from Westover, as an alternate to airline service at Boston, Hartford and Worcester seems 

reasonable. Both Allegiant and Frontier have expressed the need for Westover to bear a portion of the financial 

risk each airline would incur if it were to begin service at Westover. Allegiant has written a letter supporting this 

proposal.

If Allegiant were to begin service at Westover, the most likely destinations would be one or more of the following: 

Orlando/Sanford, St. Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Ft. Lauderdale or Myrtle Beach. The most likely destinations 

Frontier would serve would be destinations such as Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, 

Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, Columbus, Detroit and/or Chicago. 
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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AIR SERVCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES

Capacity, Traffic and Fare Trends in the Region

Westover Metropolitan Airport and Western Massachusetts have no scheduled air service; the closest airport with 

commercial service to Westover is Hartford Bradley International Airport, so the declining capacity, declining 

traffic and increasing fare trends at Hartford are most applicable to the case for commercial service at Westover. 

Within the last ten years, Hartford's domestic capacity and domestic traffic peaked, and the average domestic fare 

was at its lowest point in 2005. Between 2005 and 2012, Hartford's capacity is down 37.7% or nearly 5,400 

seats per day each way; domestic traffic is down 27.7% or 2,603 passengers per day each way, and the average 

fare has increased 46.3% from $131 each way to $191. The relationship of Hartford's domestic capacity, 

domestic traffic and average domestic one-way fare is shown in Exhibit 2.

Low-cost carrier service at Westover would provide travelers in the region with an alternative choice to the 

deterioration of service and increasingly higher fares at the airport in Hartford over the last seven years. If the 

service was operated by a carrier such as Allegiant or Frontier, the average fare at Westover would likely be 

significantly less than the average fare paid at Hartford to the same destination(s) Allegiant or Frontier could serve 

from Westover.

Exhibit 2: Domestic Seats per Day Each Way, Domestic Passengers per Day Each Way and Average Domestic One-Way 

Fare at Hartford Bradley International Airport Year-End Fourth Quarter 2003-2012 (DOT T-100 data) 

12,072

13,165

14,249

12,651

11,552

10,703 9,102 9,305

9,824

8,879

8,021

8,560

9,411

8,823

8,209

7,591

6,759 6,808 7,152 6,808 $144

$137

$131

$153

$163

$173

$156

$172

$178

$191

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Average One-Way Fare

Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way Passengers per Day Each Way Average One-Way Fare
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Domestic Fares Versus Domestic Fares at Other Airports in the Lower 48 United States

Although Hartford's average domestic one-way fare of $131 in 2005, when capacity and traffic peaked, was lower 

than the average domestic fare at the average Lower 48 airport of $136 in 2005, Hartford's average fare stood at 

$191 in 2012 versus $177 at the average Lower 48 airport. Over the last ten years, Hartford's average domestic 

fare is up 32.5% while it is up 28.5% over at the average Lower 48 airport, and Hartford's fare has been higher in 

each year since 2006. The average domestic fare for Hartford versus the average domestic fare at the average 

Lower 48 airports, along with the percent change in the fares are shown in Exhibit 3.

Exhibit 3: Average One-Way Domestic Fare at Westover Metropolitan Airport and Cumulative Change since 2003 Versus the 

Average Lower 48 Airport

$144

$137

$131

$153

$163

$173

$156

$172

$178

$191

$138 $134

$136

$149 $149

$159

$143

$157

$171

$177

-5.0%

-9.4%

6.1%

12.6%

19.8%

8.1%

19.1%

23.2%

32.5%

-3.1% -1.1%

8.1%

7.9%

15.2%

3.6%

14.1%

24.1%

28.5%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Cumulative Fare Change

Average One Way Domestic Fare -

Hartford Domestic Fare Average Lower 48 Airport Domestic Fare

Hartford Cumulative Change Average Lower 48 Airport Cumulative Change
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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STRATEGIC PLAN

Proposed Use of SCASD Funding

Westover Metropolitan Airport is requesting SCASD funding of $450,000 to market, advertise and promote lowcost service and, in particular, to fund ground handling services for a low-cost carrier at Westover. The Airport 

believes the airlines most likely to provide the proposed service are Allegiant Air or Frontier Airlines. SCASD 

funding will be supplemented by the airport with $25,000 of cash designated to marketing the service, and 

$25,000 in cash provided by partners in the community and designated for ground handling. In addition to the 

cash, in-kind support from the Airport, in the form of fee waivers, is valued at $308,330 over a period of two years 

based an assumption of up to four flights per week operated with MD-80 aircraft.

Exhibits 4 and 5: Frontier and Allegiant Aircraft Operating Charter Service from the Terminal at Westover Metropolitan Airport
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Objective

The primary objective of Westover's proposal is to secure low-cost carrier air service to one or more destinations 

that would act to offset declining airline capacity and increasing air fares paid by travelers in the region currently 

using Hartford Bradley International Airport. A combination of 14 destinations on two airlines have been identified 

as potential targets for the type of service Westover is seeking. The potential airline/destination combinations are: 

• Allegiant – Sanford/Orlando, St. Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Ft. Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach

• Frontier – Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, 

Columbus, Detroit, Chicago. 

Grant Amendments/Alternate Strategies

Funds to market, advertise and promote air service and to provide ground handling support for service on a lowcost carrier is the objective of the requested Small Community Air Service Development Grant.

If the Department awards Westover Metropolitan Airport the grant funding requested, but the Airport is not 

successful in securing service on one of the targeted airlines, the Airport would request an amendment to the 

grant from the Department to reallocate funding for service on another carrier.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND FUNDING

Public / Private Partnerships

Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation owns and operates Westover Metropolitan Airport and is the 

project sponsor. Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation is a public entity. The Westover Metropolitan 

Development Corporation and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) have 

partnered in the proposal for Small Community Air Service Development funding. 

Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation

Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation was created in 1974 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

as a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation for economic development of portions of the former Westover Air Force 

Base. Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation operates the airport under a joint use agreement with the 

Department of Defense.
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts

The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) is a private, non-profit corporation 

that provides resources and information to businesses operating in, or entering, the region by aiding in expansion, 

relocation and networking. The mission of the EDC is to deliver the services and business resources that enable 

companies to do business in Western Massachusetts grow the region's economy through the creation of quality 

jobs and enhanced public and private investment. 

EDC accomplishes its goals through its own efforts and the coordinated efforts of seven affiliated partner 

organizations: the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce, Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, 

Regional Technology Corporation, Westfield Business Improvement District, Northampton Business Improvement 

District, Springfield Business Improvement District, Westmass Area Development Corporation and the Westover 

Metropolitan Airport. 

PROJECT MONITORING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL

Project Monitoring 

The primary goal of Westover's proposal is to secure low-cost airline service by providing marketing and 

advertising and to partially offset the airline's ground handling expenses for an airline that agrees to operate the 

targeted leisure destination service. The success metric for the proposed grant funding is simple: securing and 

sustaining service to one or more of the targeted destinations.

Sources and Allocations of Project Funding

As illustrated in Exhibit 6 (see next page), the total cost of the project is $808,330 to include the amount of the 

requested grant, community-provided cash and the value of in-kind airport incentives. The requested amount of 

the grant is $450,000, and community cash funding is $50,000 to include $25,000 from the Westover Metropolitan 

Development Corporation and $25,000 from the Economic Development Corporation of Western Massachusetts. 

The Airport will be able to waive landing fees, aircraft parking/apron fees, terminal use fees and fuel flowage fees. 

The total value of the in-kind incentives offered by the Airport is up to $154,165 per year for two years based on 

an assumption of four flights per week operated with MD-80 aircraft over a 12 month period (the value would be 

half if two flights per week are operated). The value of the Airport's in-kind incentives over two years is up to 

$308,330 (the airport incentive value per departure is estimated to be $741).
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Exhibit 6: Sources and Types of Proposed Project Funding

The total cash funding of $500,000 would be divided equally between the first two potential routes and equally 

between marketing and ground handling over two years as shown in Exhibit 7. In the first year, $125,000 is 

proposed to be spent on marketing, and $125,000 is proposed to be spent on ground handling for a total of 

$250,000 in Year 1 on marketing plus ground handling. The same amounts would be spent in Year 2. The 

airport incentives valued at up to $308,330 would be credited similarly on a route-by-route basis based on the 

number of departures operated in each of the first two years.

Exhibit 7: Proposed Allocations of Project Cash* Funding

Project Timeline

Westover Metropolitan Airport intends to continue its meetings and discussions with both Allegiant and Frontier

throughout the evaluation period of Small Community Air Service Grant proposals, and will be prepared to 

execute a grant agreement with the Department as soon as awards are announced. If Westover is awarded a 

grant, the Airport will advise each airline of the award and determine if either airline is prepared to begin service 

and when service could begin. Neither carrier would likely announce service sooner than 90 days prior to 

beginning service. If service were to begin in November 2014, the service would likely be announced some time 

in summer 2014. Regardless of when the service is launched, the proposed program would continue for two 

years, Westover Metropolitan Airport would work with either airline to market the service, and the Airport would 

file all required quarterly reports. 

Funding Source Grant Cash In-Kind Total

Department of Transportation $450,000 $450,000

Community $25,000 $25,000

Airport $25,000 $308,330 $333,330

Total $450,000 $50,000 $308,330 $808,330

Year 1 Year 2 Total Year 1 Year 2 Total Total

SCASD Funding Route 1 $56,250 $56,250 $112,500 $56,250 $56,250 $112,500 $225,000

Route 2 $56,250 $56,250 $112,500 $56,250 $56,250 $112,500 $225,000

Total $112,500 $112,500 $225,000 $112,500 $112,500 $225,000 $450,000

Community Funding Route 1 $6,250 $6,250 $12,500 $6,250 $6,250 $12,500 $25,000

Route 2 $6,250 $6,250 $12,500 $6,250 $6,250 $12,500 $25,000

Total $12,500 $12,500 $25,000 $12,500 $12,500 $25,000 $50,000

Total Project Funding Grand Totals $125,000 $125,000 $250,000 $125,000 $125,000 $250,000 $500,000

*Does not included airport in-kind incentives in the form of fee waivers valued at $308,330.

Marketing Ground Handling
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Exhibit 8: Proposed Project Timeline (Assumes SCASD Awards Are Announced in September 2013)

Continuation of Project Activities beyond the Grant Timeline 

The project sponsors are confident the proposed service will be successful, and the service would likely begin 

with one route, with a second route added once the first route proves to be successful. This optimism is based on 

the experience of Skybus service at Westover, and the amount of traffic carried from the region to leisure 

destinations and increasingly higher fare trends among the airlines providing service from other airports in the 

region, such as Hartford. A true low-cost alternative to the fare levels at Hartford, in particular, will drive traffic to 

the proposed service at Westover.

Given the fragile state of the economy, the volatility of fuel costs and other factors beyond the control of the airline 

industry, the success of the proposed service cannot be assured. The Airport will work closely with the airline or 

airlines operating the proposed service throughout the grant period, and beyond the two-year grant period, to 

monitor both the amount of traffic and the average fares to ensure they are sufficient to sustain the service. In the 

event the service is not meeting the carrier's expectations, both the Westover Metropolitan Airport and the

Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts are prepared to work with the carrier to address the 

carrier's concerns. Both project sponsors may be able to provide additional incentives and may be able to provide 

additional advertising and marketing, depending on the carrier's needs.

Activity/Project Milestone Estimated Dates

SCASD Grant Award Announcement September 2013

Execute Grant Agreement with DOT September/October 2013

Airline Meetings November 2013 - May 2014

Announce Service June or July 2014

Publish Schedule June or July 2014

Market Route (Pre-Launch) September - November 2014

Monitor Advance Bookings September - November 2014

Adjust Marketing Plan Based on Advance Bookings September - November 2014

Begin Service November 2014

Market Route (Post-Launch) November 2014 and Beyond

Begin Service November 2014 - November 2016

Monitor Route Performance November 2014 - November 2016 and Beyond

Submit Grant Status Reports to DOT Quarterly 3Q 2013 - 4Q 2016
 

Westover Metropolitan Airport; Chicopee, Massachusetts

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

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Legal Sponsor

The Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation is the legal sponsor responsible for administering the 

proposed program, and the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation is a government entity.

Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation

Westover Metropolitan Airport

Michael W. Bolton

Director of Civil Aviation

255 Padgette St.

Chicopee, MA 01022

413-593-5544 (office)

Financial Controls

As the sponsor, the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation and its governing body, the Westover 

Metropolitan Development Corporation Board, will be the responsible parties for all fiscal matters and the 

Department's reporting requirements. The Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation is established as a 

non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation and is a public governing body. As a public entity, the Department can be 

assured that proper financial controls are in place to guarantee that the Department’s Grant will be used in 

accordance with any subsequent agreement. The Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation Board

understands that the Grant is a reimbursable grant, meaning the Board is responsible for program expenditures 

and will submit invoices to the Department for reimbursement, based on a percentage of the total grant request.