Aeronautics Chief Seeking More Air Terminals

BOSTON-Three regional airports could each get new $7-million terminals within 10 years under a proposal being spearheaded by the chairman of the state’s aeronautics commission.

Arthur Allen, chairman of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, tells GlobeSt.com that he will ask board to support construction of terminals for regional airports in Lawrence, Beverly and Norwood to meet a growing demand by small jet users. “The future of aviation is changing,” Allen says. “It’s no longer [a matter of] going to Logan [International Airport] and taking a jumbo jet to a hub city. It’s in point to point [travel]. The future is in little jets lining up to take people all over the country.”

Allen says he will ask fellow commissioners to support the plan when the group meets next month as a first step toward getting the terminals built. Funding for the projects, which is expected to total more than $20 million, must still be approved by the state legislature, a process that Allen estimates could add at least a year to the development timeline. It should take about four more years before the facilities come on line.