NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Tweed New Haven Airport announced Tuesday it will move forward in its expansion project, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval.
The Court of Appeals determined that the FAA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process related to the airport’s federal environmental review process was properly executed, Tweed New Haven said in a press release Tuesday. The decision comes after a legal challenge by the Town of East Haven.
In February 2024, the Town of East Haven filed an appeal against the extension and terminal expansion project for Tweed New Haven Airport, challenging the results of the FAA’s formal review on Dec. 21, 2023. The Environmental Assessment found a No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Record of Decision (ROD) regarding the project.
In its appeal, the Town of East Haven said the assessment neglected to address crucial environmental factors, including potential impacts on flooding and stormwater management, wetlands and coastal resources, traffic and public safety.
In a response to the Court of Appeals’ approval Tuesday, the East Haven Mayor’s office reiterated the reasons for the appeal.
Town officials also said Tuesday’s decision does not constitute final approval of the project — and that significant independent state and local reviews must be conducted before expansion begins.
The court’s decision addresses only whether the FAA complied with NEPA’s procedural requirements, the Office of the Mayor said. This still leaves the FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
In a statement, East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora said in part:
“From the beginning, our objective has been to ensure that East Haven residents have a voicethroughout this process and that every aspect of the proposed project receives the carefulscrutiny it deserves. That commitment remains unchanged. We will continue to advocatevigorously for the protection of our neighborhoods, our natural resources, and the quality of life that our residents expect and deserve.”
Carfora also said that the following state and local permits and approvals remain outstanding:
In Tweed New Haven Airport’s announcement of the Tuesday court approval, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said New Haven County is a growing region — and that it is in need of an airport that meets its travel demands.
“This is a positive sign and important step forward towards providing a modernized, regional airport that better serves our residents and the region … Customers are voting with their ticket purchases everyday — and a new, modern, state-of-the-art terminal that follows the proper environmental review process and adheres to the proper environmental standards is necessary to make this airport a success,” Elicker said.
While some officials are on board with the court’s decision to move forward, other state leaders raised concerns about the expansion’s environmental impact. State Rep. Joe Zullo (R-99th) said that East Haven is already prone to repetitive and severe flooding, and that the proposed new transportation hub would trigger ‘substantial’ impacts.
“Today’s technical decision is as disappointing as it is ironic,” Zullo said in a press release. “The decision comes on a day when the intersection of Short Beach Road and Hemingway Avenue, the gateway intersection to the proposed new airport terminal, is impassable and blocked off by public safety barricades due to severe flooding.”
Zullo said that the project will require extensive mitigation measures to prevent severe environmental impacts, including the exacerbation of flooding conditions.
According to the assessment’s draft released in March 2023, the proposed expansion project includes lengthening the runway from 5,600 feet to 6,635 feet, building a 70,000-square-foot terminal on the East Haven side of the airport, and a new airport entrance along Proto Drive in East Haven, with access off Hemingway and Coe avenues.
The most recent proposal sees Tweed adding an 84,000 square-foot terminal to the east of its current footprint, according to a memorandum of understanding between the City of New Haven, the Town of East Haven, and the airport in April 2026.
“Tweed-New Haven Airport remains focused on delivering a modernized, environmentally responsible airport that supports economic growth, regional connectivity, and job creation for Greater New Haven and the State of Connecticut,” the airport said Tuesday.
Tweed New Haven will continue to pursue its application with CTDEEP, as well as the formal review by the Town of East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission.
Attorney Dana Hrelic told News 8 that she has no comment.