Delaware
Runway extension part of new master plan
It’s been more than 17 years since Sussex County had its last airport master plan update.
Over that time period, the county and Federal Aviation Administration have provided millions of dollars for expansion and rehabilitation as the complex has grown into a major economic force in the county.
During Sussex County’s June 4 meeting, Bob Bryant presented council with a new Delaware Coastal Airport Federal Aviation Administration-approved 418-page plan completed at a cost of more than $571,000 by consultants McFarland Johnson. Bryant is manager of airport and business park operations.
The plan includes factors influencing future development and needs along with upgrades to existing infrastructure, and addresses safety and security, how all FAA standards will be met, and how environmental regulations will be met. It also includes a financial plan and a project schedule.
The FAA also requires a terminal-area forecast. In 2018, the airport had 61 airplanes housed in hangars with a total of 34,401 airport operations. That’s forecast to increase to 85 aircraft and nearly 48,000 operations.
Bryant said the FAA reviews all elements of the plan but only approves forecasts of demand and an airport layout plan.
Extension in the plan
The 20-year plan provides details on the airport’s operation, infrastructure and future projects, including those needed in the short, mid and long term.
At the top of the list is an extension of the main runway from its current 5,500 feet to 6,123 feet.
Bryant said the current runway can accommodate 75% of planes. The extension will allow larger jets to access the airport.
The extension project can proceed, as the work to relocate Park Avenue around the airport is completed by Delaware Department of Transportation. Removing a section of the roadway allows for more expansion space.
Other projects included in the report are hangar development, rehabilitation of existing paved services and terminal facility expansion.
Bryant said short-term projects are considered critical and immediate needs, which include updates to FAA standards and construction of a parallel taxiway at the airport. He said the project is multi-phase and multi-grant, with construction ready to begin.
A public hearing will be scheduled on the report.
Airport has major impact
Bryant said a DelDOT Office of Aeronautics report calculated the economic impact of all airports in Delaware, which includes income, employment and taxes. Delaware Coastal’s numbers are impressive, with a total impact of nearly $167 million annually to the state and region, including $5 million in taxes, $52 million in income impacts and 617 jobs. The report includes the business/industrial park as well.
Bryant said the county’s airport has the highest return on its assets of any airport in the state at 109%.
The airport has seen $40 million in recent upgrades. It provides fuel and service, rail access, hangar space, short- and long-term parking, and rental cars, with large corporate jet capabilities.
Operating at the airport are Skyline Aviation for fuel and servicing; Sussex Aeronautic Maintenance for maintenance, inspections and other related services; and Ocean Aviation Flight Academy for flight lessons.
Arena’s operates one of its restaurants at the airport.
The airport serves as a site for a Delaware State Police Aviation Unit helicopter and also houses the Delaware Technical Community College aviation maintenance technology program.
The major tenant at the airport is ALOFT AeroArchitects. The company provides services to private and corporate jets, including auxiliary fuel systems and full VIP interior designs on jets from all over the world.
ALOFT is also an authorized Boeing Service Center.
History back to 1943
The airport’s history dates back to 1943, when it had three 5,000-foot runways. It served as a U.S. Navy testing facility then and into the 1950s until 1966. The military was testing a catapult launching system and a rocket car, among other projects.
The county got more involved in the airport in the 1970s and reconfigured the runways. Extensive rehabilitation has taken place since the early 2000s.
For more information, go to delawarecoastalairport.com.
Delaware
Delaware State football player sues DeSean Jackson, school after alleged locker room assault
A Delaware State football player has filed a lawsuit against the school and head coach DeSean Jackson. The suit came after an alleged locker room assault.
Rising sophomore safety Malachi Biggs is listed as the plaintiff in the suit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. Jackson, DSU, associate head coach Travis Clark, a player and another staff member are listed as defendants.
According to a copy of the complaint obtained by On3, the alleged incident occurred on or about Nov. 19, 2025. Biggs arrived early to receive treatment and went to the locker room when he saw at least two other players there. While there, one of the players confronted another player about an Instagram post.
He then walked up to Biggs and allegedly placed him in a chokehold, according to the complaint. The player allegedly ignored Biggs’ attempts to “tap out” even though he was told he’d be let go by doing so and was later rendered unconscious.
After hitting the ground, Biggs suffered injuries to his head, face, mouth, tongue and teeth, according to the complaint. His injuries included “multiple fractures to his jaw, a deep laceration to his chin requiring surgery, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth requiring extraction, root canals, and additional invasive dental treatments,” the complaint read.
The complaint states the player was not disciplined by Jackson, who was in his first year as head coach, and was allowed to play in a game three days after the alleged incident. Jackson and Clark addressed the alleged incident in a team meeting. After graduating from the school in 2026, the player was then employed as a member of the coaching staff, the complaint said.
Biggs is suing DSU for a count of negligence; a count of negligent hiring, supervision and retention; and negligent training. Jackson and two players are also listed as defendants facing charges of negligence, negligent supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. When asked for comment, a school spokesperson told On3 that Delaware State does not comment on pending litigation.
“Our lawsuit alleges that the Delaware State University and its staff failed in their responsibility to adequately supervise these student athletes and failed to properly discipline violent behaviors,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Georgia Pham, who are representing Biggs, in a statement to On3. “By dismissing violent assaults as mere ‘horseplay,’ the University and coach DeSean Jackson allegedly fostered a toxic culture of bullying and hazing in the locker room.
“Our client came to this University to play the game he loved. Instead, he’s leaving with catastrophic injuries that may be career-ending and have permanently derailed his life. These alleged systemic failures led to this predictable and preventable tragedy that ripped away the life he had always dreamed of.”
Delaware State went 8-4 in Jackson’s first season as head coach in 2025. The former NFL receiver, who made his mark with the Philadelphia Eagles, was named HBCU Coach of the Year.
BOWERS BEACH, Del. – Delaware State Police say a body was found near Bowers Beach on Tuesday.
Around 12:40 p.m. on April 21, Delaware State Police, Delaware Natural Resources Police and local fire companies responded to the Delaware Bay, about a mile offshore from the Bowers Beach area after commercial watermen discovered an unknown deceased man in the water.
The victim was recovered and turned over to the Office of Forensic Science for identification and to determine the cause of death.
The investigation remains active and on-going.
Top headlines of the week, April 17 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
The Humane Society of Delaware County has appointed a new leader as the organization’s longtime director moves toward retirement.
The animal rescue group’s board appointed Amanda Wampler as its new CEO, effective May 11, the organization posted on Facebook April 21.
Jana Cassidy, the humane society’s executive director for nearly a decade, is transitioning toward retirement and will now serve as chief operating officer in the near term to ensure a smooth transition.
The post from society Board President Megan Ricci says the board is confident Cassidy’s and Wampler’s experience, dedication and talents will elevate the humane society as it strives to build a new 22,000-square-foot facility that will be a go-to destination for adoption, veterinary care, training, boarding, and grooming.
“HSDC could not be in better hands than with these two extraordinary women,” the post reads.
Wampler is a proven nonprofit executive with experience in animal welfare and a demonstrated ability to help organizations expand and thrive, according to the humane society’s post.
Wampler currently is the national operations director for Siemer Institute, a Columbus-based organization that helps families across the U.S. achieve housing stability and enhance their children’s educational prospects, according to Wampler’s LinkedIn page. She also worked for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department from 2016 to 2023.
Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X
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