BCW Stresses Safety Concerns in Urging County to Repave Airport Runway

The Business Council of Westchester’s Coalition for Westchester Airport (CWA) continues to be the driving force in engaging key stakeholders on the importance of enhancing, not expanding, the airport.

John Ravitz, head of the CWA and Chief Operating Officer of the BCW, this week called on members for assistance on an important airport matter – repaving Runway 16/34.

Over the past two years, the county has been developing the necessary plans to repave the airport’s Runway 16/34. The last time that this runway was repaved was in 1998, and it is now beyond the 20 – year standard of an airport’s runway lifespan.

“One of the most important aspects of airport safety is ensuring that runways have been adequately maintained to ensure a safe and secure operating environment,” Ravitz said. “Making these repairs will also guarantee that Westchester County Airport is maintaining Federal Aviation Administration standards. Unfortunately, some groups are opposing the county’s efforts to make the necessary repairs to the runway for reasons that are not valid.”

The Coalition for Westchester Airport was formed in August 2018 so that it could provide a reasoned voice to the public debate, separating myths from facts about enhancing the delivery of services at the airport. Those enhancements to the runway will clearly help the business, traveling and neighboring communities, but most importantly, it is a basic matter of safety.

“Making the repairs to the Runway 16/34 runway is strictly a safety issue that should move forward as quickly as possible,” Ravitz said.

Ravitz calls on all members to send a letter directly to County Executive George Latimer expressing support for the county’s plan to make the necessary repairs to Runway 16/34.

Click here to view a sample letter that The Business Council of Westchester sent to the County Executive last month expressing its support for this project. Please free to incorporate any of the information from our letter in the letter your company will be sending to the County Executive. He can be reached at:

County Executive George Latimer
Michaelian Building
148 Martine Ave., 9^thFloor
White Plains, NY 10601

(914) 995-2900
CE@westchestergov.com

If you need any additional information about this issue, please contact John Ravitz at JRavitz@thebcw.org or 914-948-2110.