In an edition of the AviationPros podcast, Gloria Bouillon, airport manager for Beverly Regional Airport, joined Walker Jaroch, assistant editor for AviationPros, to discuss the airport’s growth. Beverly Regional Airport’s operations have grown in volume over 51 percent in the last four years. Recently the airport moved from the eighth position of airports in terms of total operations to the second in the general aviation category for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Beverly Regional Airport planned to demolish the width of its primary runway before Bouillon became airport manager. Bouillon reviewed the airport plans and determined this would severely hurt the airport. The changes Bouillon suggested, including adding 600 feet to their existing runway, transformed the airport from a struggling entity to one that is operating at 103 percent of its pre-pandemic numbers.
“The airport would have lost all of its major revenue sources of ground leases and businesses, airport jobs would have been lost,” Bouillon said in reference to the airport’s plan to demolish the primary runway. “It would have been devastating to the community.”
“I reviewed the airport master plan with an updated forecast and at that time with a reflexive category of the change in the fleet mix utilizing the airport. It’s a strong comprehensive plan for the airport for the next 20 years and this really was the turning point for the airport,” Bouillon continued.
Adding 600 feet to the existing primary runway is a major draw for businesses to Beverly Regional Airport. Bouillon said operators used to avoid Beverly Regional Airport because of its planned contraction of the existing runway.
“I think in the past there was a perception of what this airport was and where it was going and there was no appeal for the corporate user or businesses with the contraction and limited services,” Bouillon said.
The addition of 300 feet on either side of the runway negates the need for operators to reduce their payload, making the airport more attractive for them. New design standards in the taxiway system will also increase safety at the airport.
Bouillon conducted presentations, increased the airport's marketing and advertising, created social media platforms and overhauled its website to detail the airport’s upcoming changes. This resulted in a surge of activity for the airport.
“Once companies and businesses realized my vision and this growth of opportunities they really wanted to be part of this exciting future,” Bouillon said. “And from there things just absolutely took off for us. Suddenly there was so much visibility on the airport and it became a place where people want to do business. I think everyone wants to be a part of something that is growing. And during this pandemic that’s a good problem to have.”
New businesses like Air Bear Aviation moved into the airport. Bouillon said prior to the addition of Air Bear Aviation, the airport did not have an MRO capability. Now, Air Bear Aviation, in conjunction with the FBO North Atlantic Air, offer a logical choice for flight departments seeking an alternative to other airports.
To listen to the full podcast and learn more about Bouillon's marketing strategies, click the link. AviationPros.com/21209735
