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.