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3/13/2019
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Senator Sosnowski announces new agreement for aviation support services at Block Island Airport
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 STATE HOUSE — Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown) today announced that she has met with representatives of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) and they have agreed to provide aviation services from the same vendor who is currently providing such services at Rhode Island’s four other general aviation airports.
In July 2018, RIAC awarded a bid for aviation support services to FlightLevel Rhode Island, LLC. At that time, FlightLevel had submitted a bid to provide aviation support services to North Central, Westerly, Newport and Quonset State Airport, but their proposal did not include Block Island.
“After meeting with representatives of RIAC, I’m pleased to report that they have agreed that FlightLevel will begin providing aviation support services at Block Island Airport,” said Senator Sosnowski. “Many of my constituents made this a priority and I appreciate that RIAC was responsive to this request.”
On April 1, 2018, FlightLevel will begin posting employees at Block Island Airport who will provide services related to aircraft operator assistance, facility cleaning services, collection of fees and other general public services. These employees will be in addition to a fulltime RIAC employee who currently works at the airport maintaining and overseeing the airfield and terminal.
“The conversation that occurred in the past few months to get the same vendor at Block Island as the other general aviation airports has created a greater question of what Block Island Airport could and should be from an economic development standpoint,” said Senator Sosnowski. “This is a larger question that will require input from all stakeholders including the general public, island residents, business and tourism leaders, local officials and members of the aviation community.”
“Again, I appreciate RIAC’s responsiveness in the short term and I look forward to working with them and town officials on the broader conversation. The airport is a lifeline to the island and if there are ways to spur economic development opportunities they should be explored,” added Senator Sosnowski. “This process must balance those opportunities with all stakeholders and we need to recognize at the beginning of this conversation that not all general aviation airports are created equal.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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