Data from the year 2000, the most complete available, indicates 104,174 total passengers relying on major airlines and charter flights passed through the facility. Operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority, the service area is generally considered to be the 30-mile radius of surrounding towns. Barbara Platt, a public relations spokesman at Massport, said efforts are under way to expand services for passengers using the airport. Business travelers are using the airport more often, but all use is rising, Platt said. According to flight charts provided by Massport, the total passengers using the airport has increased by 33 percent to 10,332 through March of 2001.
Safety is enhanced through a new, recently opened control tower.
Future improvements include plans for better access to planes from the ground. Also in the works is a new full-service restaurant, added vending machines and an Internet kiosk. Worcester is expected to attract from 600,000 to 800,000 passengers by 2010, many of whom now rely on Logan and Providence airports. Marketing will play a role in that, said Platt. Projected destinations are domestic locations, such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Newark, Orlando, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.