Aircraft Management Firm Welcomed At Worcester Airport
RICK SAIA
A Rectrix Aviation jet sits on the tarmac at Worcester Regional Airport on Thursday morning while an attendee at a press conference reaches for food. The event announced the coming launch of Rectrix operations in Worcester.
Local and state officials were on hand today to celebrate the launch of Rectrix Aviation operations at Worcester Regional Airport.
Continuing its expansion in Massachusetts, Rectrix will provide private jet and aircraft management and fixed-based operations services such as aircraft parking and fueling, maintenance and hangar facilities, at Worcester Regional and L.G. Hanscom Field in Bedford. It also has operations in Sarasota, Fla., and Hyannis.
"Worcester is an ideal location between Boston and New York, and we're excited to mark the official launch of business operations here," Rich Cawley, Rectrix president and CEO said in a statement. "The general aviation industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to our local economy, and we're committed to bringing new jobs and economic growth to Massachusetts."
Rectrix won a multi-million dollar contract from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which operates the airport, to provide services there and in Bedford. The company said it will create 100 jobs at each location and is investing about $5 million to develop 27,000 square feet of hangar and office space in Worcester.
The investment is a "big deal" that will "help grow our regional economy," said U.S. Rep. James McGovern, who called the airport an "engine" for growth.
The Worcester and Bedford facilities are expected to be completed within two years and will qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards, Rectrix said.
"Massport's airline industry reach, market relationships and reputation are second to none and are why Rectrix will now be flying our friendly skies," Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien said in a prepared statement. "Rectrix's strong record of quality service is a welcome addition to the airport.
Rectrix's services are a welcome addition to the Worcester airport, whose future has been scrutinized since commercial passenger operator DirectAir abruptly ceased service and filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. In recent months, Worcester officials and business leaders had worked to pique the interest of JetBlue CEO David Barger, who has visited the area several times. However, when it comes to attracting commercial carriers, the airport faces the hurdle of needing to upgrade its landing equipment, which is necessary for pilots to handle the frequently foggy conditions at the airport. Similar upgrades at Logan International Airport in Boston, also operated by Massport, cost $13 million.
At an hour-long event at the airport this morning, John Pranckevicius, Massport's director of administration and finance, told a gathering of about 100 that Rectrix's investment is a "bold transportation initiative." He praised Cawley as a "smart businessman" who is "getting in on the ground floor" of what he hopes will be a rise in Worcester's economy and the airport's potential role in it.
Pranckevicius also said the state has begun the process of seeking federal approval and funding to upgrade the airport's landing system. He said he expects $30 million in investment in the airport over the next few years. Afterward, he said Massport recently authorized $1 million to launch upgrades of the landing system and a taxiway. "That's what's going to take this airport to the next level," he said.
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Rectrix CEO Rich Cawley at Worcester Regional Airport
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