The future use of the airport in Georgetown is a subject that I have pondered for many years. I discussed it with the county administrator, Todd Lawson, and Councilman Doug Hudson over two years ago and spoke of it at one of Sussex County’s Airport Advisory Committee meetings.
I keep bringing it up because of the airport’s impact on attracting highly paid jobs and businesses.
Each time there was a talk about the Wilmington airport serving passengers, I repeatedly said Wilmington airport’s infrastructure would serve Delaware well as a freight airport but not as a passenger airport due to the proximity to the Baltimore and Philadelphia airports. Again, I was right. Frontier is pulling out of the Wilmington airport again.
So what am I talking about here?
Sussex County needs to bring in high-tech businesses to retain our younger generations and their brains in Sussex County. When high-tech companies look for their locations, broadband infrastructure is definitely on the top of their priorities, as well as the pool of qualified, well-trained employees. Another one on the top is the easy access to airline transportation.
I am talking about working on bringing commercial passenger airlines to Delaware Coastal Airport (airline code: GED). I know it is not a popular idea among many residents because it will bring more people to Sussex County. But let’s face it: We have already passed the threshold beyond going back to rural Sussex, a hidden coastal gem.
Bringing in a commercial passenger airline is not an easy thing to do and takes many years. I applauded two years ago when Sussex County recruited Robert Bryant, the former longtime manager of the Salisbury (Maryland) Regional Airport, as the manager of our Georgetown airport. Even with his expertise in managing a regional passenger airport, this effort will have to be supported by locals and county officials.
With American Airlines serving the Salisbury airport with flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Philadelphia, Sussex County could attract another one, such as Delta or United or Southwest, to get the local residents to other big hubs, like the Dulles, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta or Dallas/Fort Worth airports.
It is time to think about and talk about the possibility of bringing a regular commercial passenger airline.
A passenger airport in Georgetown will one day help the growing elderly population, who will not be able to drive to Philly or Baltimore.
Eul Lee
Lewes
