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Beverly Regional Airport, at 50 LP Henderson Road in Beverly, houses 18 businesses and has seen continued growth over the past several years. (Courtesy Photo Beverly Regional Airport)

BEVERLY– Airport Manager Gloria Bouillon announces public meetings will be held this week and next to gather community feedback on Beverly Regional Airport’s master plan.

The master plan provides a comprehensive and strategic assessment of the development needs of the airport over the next 20 years and was primarily funded with a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airport’s current master plan, first developed in 1999, was last updated in 2010 and reflects 20-year-old data that no longer aligns with the airport’s operations.

The operations of the airport have grown in volume over 51% within the past four years, and continued to grow amid the ongoing pandemic even as airports nationwide have faced hardship. Operations at Beverly Regional are at 103% of their pre-pandemic activity, based on data from January-November 2019 and January-November 2020.

In the 2019 Massachusetts Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study, Beverly Regional is estimated to have brought $34 million annually in economic activity to the North Shore region. The airport has 18 businesses on site that continue to grow and hire new employees, and has a wait list for building and hangar space with increased attractiveness to encourage new businesses depending on the finalized form of the new master plan.

“The master plan is a crucial document that will guide the future of Beverly Regional Airport, and we’re excited to have this opportunity to align the plan to the growth and demand we’re seeing among our businesses and those who utilize our airport,” Airport Manager Bouillon said. “Community feedback is an integral part of this process and we look forward to discussing the plan and listening to public input over the coming days. I would also like to thank our airport businesses, the Airport Commission, Mayor Cahill and the communities of Beverly, Danvers and Wenham for their support of this process.”

Master Plan Overview

The master plan identifies capital projects for the airport to plan for over the next decade, examines projected long-term activity at the airport over the next 20 years, will ensure the airport continues to comply with all federal regulations and design standards, and will guide the airport as it continues to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner, while reflecting the character and goals established for it by the City of Beverly.

The plan recommends the airport maintains the size of its current runways and preserves the potential to continue serving business jet aircraft of various sizes in line with prevailing industry and regional trends.

Additional improvements proposed in the plan include: increasing the length of Runway 16-34 for departures to enhance aircraft operational safety and promote the effectiveness and benefits of newer general aviation aircraft, increased efficiencies with taxiway realignments, repaving the airfield, potential landside and airside development contingent on demand, and the creation of a vehicle service road to enhance operational safety.

The plan also features several environmental priorities, including LED lighting upgrades, recycling and reuse programs, no new impacts to wetland areas and no anticipated change in noise levels. 

Community Input Meetings

Virtual public meetings are being held to garner feedback on the plan from the City of Beverly, Town of Danvers and Town of Wenham.

Meeting Dates and Login Information:

For more information about the Master Plan project, visit www.beverlyairport.com and click on the Master Plan tab. Anyone with questions can contact Beverly Regional Airport Manager Gloria Bouillon at gbouillon@beverlyma.gov.

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