Page 132 - Innovation Delaware 2018

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Wilmington Airport & Delaware Airpark
Stephen D. Williams, Deputy Executive Director, DRBA
Wilmington Airport ILG 151 North DuPont Highway New Castle, DE 19720 302.571.6171 Airports@DRBA.net
www.FlyILG.com
LEADERS IN INNOVATION
Q: The Wilmington Airport was deep in the middle of major landside renovations throughout 2017. Have they been completed?
For the most part, yes. We have now completed a complete rehabilitation and improvement to the two main airport auto parking lots. The project not only increased our total parking capacity for the Terminal, but will improve circulation and access for two of our largest employers, notably Dassault Aircraft Services and Flight Safety International (FSI). In fact, FSI now
has a first-class, exclusive parking area that has been designed to support both their existing customer base as well as any future expansion and growth of their training or administrative facilities. And since we’re talking innovation, I should note that this improvement included the installation of infrastructure to enable automated paid parking technology, and eventually the use of the E-Z Pass Plus system now in use at many at many commercial airports.
Q: You also manage the Delaware Airpark in Dover on behalf of the DRBA. And they just completed a major runway lengthening?
Yes. Last November, we completed the nearly 15 year effort to significantly improve the only public-use airport serving the State capital. This was not simply a lengthening of the original runway, but construction of a completely new one that will enable most business-class aircraft to operate from the airport.
Q: What else can you tell us about the Delaware Airpark?
There are many agencies and groups to thank for their support and investment in this key improvement project such as DelDOT and the FAA. Together, we anticipate a bright future for the capital region by supporting unrestricted business aircraft access as well as the growth of DSU’s professional flight training program. As we say in the industry, “Airports mean business”.
Q: Have you invested in any other innovative improvements to either airport that are completed or are in progress?
Delaware Airpark will soon have the latest technology with an improved automated weather observation
130 DelawareBusinessTimes.com