NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Cutting commercial air passenger service would likely lead to cost savings for Newport News Williamsburg Airport, a recent study found, but at this point, neither mayor of the cities obligated to pay for any financial losses at the airfield is endorsing the recommendation to outright do so.
Instead, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck thinks the strategy laid out in the Hampton Roads Air Study that instead calls for the Peninsula Airport Commission to focus on attracting nontraditional uses at Patrick Henry Field, such as advanced air mobility (AAM), needs to be explored.
“I think the pivot strategy represents an opportunity,” Tuck said. “I think advanced air mobility is a wave of the future or an industry of the future.”
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, while initially dodging a reporter’s attempts to record his thoughts on the findings, told City Council members Tuesday night he wants hear from the community.
“We govern through stakeholder engagement and ensuring we have everyone at the table and so, really excited to talk to the community and to look at our options,” Jones said.
What remains unknown is when decisions will be made.
A 10 On Your Side investigation found that, by this time next year, the Peninsula Airport Commission could be out of money.
As things stand, the regional air report described the airport as a “loss-making enterprise.”
The nearly 80-year-old airport located in Newport News is governed by the commission, made up of representatives from both Newport News and Hampton.
Under the airport’s charter with the Commonwealth of Virginia, taxpayers of the commission’s member municipalities are responsible to make up any deficient.
Currently, only American Airlines continues to provide commercial service at the terminal, and the report found continuing on is unsustainable, with expenses continuing to exceed revenue, with a nearly $3 million deficit projected this fiscal year.
“A detailed line-item adjustment analysis indicates significant potential for cost savings if PHF transitions away from commercial air service,” stated the report, co-authored by USI Inc. and Swelbar Associates. “Key adjustments include eliminating airline fee revenue, reducing parking lot revenue by 75%, and removing certain reimbursements. On the expense side, substantial cuts could be made in terminal maintenance, labor and benefits, and advertising. These adjustments reflect the operational shifts necessary for PHF to pivot towards more sustainable business models in emerging aviation sectors.”
While the chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission, said the airport has no intention of telling American Airlines to leave, power truly rests with City Council, as they would have to vote to give the airport the funds they need to continue operating.
The report hasn’t been discussed yet among City Council members in Hampton yet according to Tuck. But he said he knows things need to change.
“When I think about the meetings we’ve had with the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Commission,” Tuck said, “and I listened to the presentations by the manager of Norfolk Airport, and then [Newport News Williamsburg Airport] manager was not there, it says a lot in terms of Norfolk’s growth and what their future looks like and what our future looks like on the site.”
Tuck, whose second term is up at the end of the year, said it will be up to the next City Council to decide if it is appropriate to spend tax dollars on the airport.
“But it’s Newport News Airport primarily,” Tuck said. “And so I think it’s going to be for us to follow the lead.”
Jones did not agree to multiple interview requests on what his plans are as far as future funding for the airport, although, through a statement, he again reiterated he supported the study. Tuesday, while he was at WAVY-TV 10 studios in Portsmouth for an unrelated interview, he refused to answer a reporter’s questions.
At the conclusion Tuesday’s City Council meeting, however, he said he would “not govern by fiat,” or “fear.”
“We have a lot of work ahead,” Jones said. “I’m bullish on the future of Newport News and excited to work with the City Manager as we roll out some things on the airport in the next month or so.”
Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Newport News Councilman John Eley said he wants to hear from the community.
“I’m still looking at it,” Eley said. “We work for the citizens, and I plan to have a town hall to have citizen input.”
Newport News Councilman Cleon Long, on the other hand, has made up his mind.
“We should utilize that space for economic development,” Long said. “I don’t think taxpayers should bear the burden on the airport that hasn’t been able to gain the commercial airlines as it has in the past.”
Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III, as well as council members Tina Vick and Marcellus Harris, weren’t immediately available for comment.
But Councilwoman Pat Woodbury, who is retiring after 18 years on City Council at the end of the year, is hoping regional support will come into play.
“I haven’t read full report, but I’m in favor of keeping the airport and working with Norfolk,” Woodbury said. “It’s an asset for the community and [I] don’t want to see it close. I have strong feelings about this … and I think the commission will do the right thing for airport.”