Thu, Mar 12, 2009
Aviat Westchester Says County Proposal Will Cost County
Millions
In what it sees as a
one-David-vs.-two-Goliaths battle, Avitat Westchester is
challenging a proposal by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano
to give its lease for one of the largest hangars at Westchester
County Airport in White Plains, NY to JPMorgan Chase.
Avitat CEO Michael Dolphin, who told the County Board of
Legislators last week Spano's proposal could cost Westchester
upwards of $100 million in reduced fees and potential damages if
Avitat prevails in litigation against the County concerning the
hangar, is now seeking public and business sector support at a
hearing scheduled for March 23, at the Michaelian Office building
in White Plains.
According to Dolphin, the RFP process for the hangar's lease
renewal -- currently scheduled to take effect in March of next year
-- was "flawed, violated longstanding County practices and was a
retaliatory action against Avitat for complaining about illegal
practices at the airport."
Dolphin also questioned the logic in granting such a perk to "a
TARP-assisted financial institution that cut its dividend by 87%
and eliminated 14,000 jobs," saying he was concerned about the
possible "regulatory and/or public reactions."
The projected $200+ million cost on new jets and hangar
renovations could require Westchester to find a new lessee during
the 30-year term of the lease, Dolphin added. Loss of the existing
hangar would force Avitat to cut 30 jobs, or half its workforce at
the airport.
JPMorgan Chase leases space at another hanger on the airport, he
adds, where it already is housing an existing fleet of planes.
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]