PHOTO COURTESY: IslandAir.net
NANTUCKET – In the wake of Island Air’s shutdown last month, officials with Nantucket Memorial Airport are considering possible budget cuts.
Officials are also looking at leasing land as a way to beef up the transportation hub’s finances.
The airline provided up to 19 flights a day, both passenger and freight service, to the island.
Airport Manager Tom Rafter said that Rectrix Airlines and another possible airline want to take over that service, which would marginalize the financial impact of the airport.
The amount of budget cuts are considered to be a few thousand dollars worth, but will not finalized until it is discussed with the town’s finance department.
“We’ve identified a worst-case scenario that could be several hundred thousand dollars and we just want to be prepared with the necessary budget adjustments should that full impact be observed,” said Rafter.
But Rafter said they won’t be anywhere near those numbers if they have one or two airlines taking over the passenger and freight service.
Rectrix Airlines has told airport officials that they could be up and running the service in the next three months.
Rafter said that Cape Air stepped in after Island Air’s shutdown, and added 12 flights a week between the island and the Cape.
“It’s critical that we try to re-instate as much service between the island and Hyannis because it is our key to the mainland, both in passengers and in freight,” said Rafter.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
Speak Your Mind