General aviation
AOPA Discusses Aeroflex-Andover Airport Tenant Evictions with New Jersey Officials
AOPA representatives recently met with senior advisors to New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill regarding tenant evictions and hangar demolition plans at Aeroflex-Andover Airport.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association engaged with top advisors to Governor Mikie Sherrill on October 8. The discussion centered on the future of Aeroflex-Andover Airport and opposition to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection initiative to remove current airport tenants.
Tenant difficulties began when initial notifications went out in June. Formal notices subsequently arrived directing tenants to vacate the premises by December 31. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection asserted that numerous hangars require demolition, designating the remaining space exclusively for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
During an October 5 news conference held at the airport, Congressman Josh Gottheimer presented figures from an engineering assessment commissioned by the state. The evaluation calculated hangar repairs at $4.7 million. In contrast, teardown expenses would reach $8 million, while constructing substitute hangars for the Forest Fire Service would exceed $11 million.
AOPA warned that removing the tenants threatens local operations, specifically risking the closure of a flight school, identified in reports as Andover Flight Academy, alongside a maintenance shop. Such closures could ultimately jeopardize the continued existence of the airport itself.
Bipartisan opposition to the evictions has emerged from multiple public figures. Alongside Congressman Gottheimer, participants include Andover Township Mayor Thomas Walsh, State Senator Parker Space, and Assemblymembers Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort.
AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins and AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Leon Jackler represented the organization during the discussions. Collins noted that the governor's staff asked relevant questions and indicated that the administration seeks alternatives to the current plan while keeping local businesses open.
During the meeting, AOPA representatives requested that the governor's team organize an in-person gathering with local stakeholders. This proposed session would address both the situation at Aeroflex-Andover and broader issues affecting the aviation system across New Jersey.