State Discussing Expansion of Republic Airport

State officials will hold a public hearing Tuesday afternoon to discuss the proposed addition of seven new hangars housing more than 60 corporate jets along with runway improvements.

Under consideration is a plan to build seven 36,000-square-foot hangars capable of housing 64 corporate jets, Newsday reported. 

In January, a report by the state Department of Transportation found the planned expansion by Sheltair, an airport servicing company, along with planned runway improvements, would have little adverse impact on communities surrounding the 530-acre airport, according to the Newsday report.

Sheltair sees employment growing from 97 to 178 full-time positions, with 150 temporary construction jobs, and an increase in the number of aircrft based at its Republic facility to jump from about 20 to more than 60.

The company projects the number of aircraft based at its Republic facilities would increase from 21 to 64, mostly corporate jets like the Gulfstream, increasing daily takeoffs and landings at the airport by about 36, Newsday said.

The hearing will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Republic's main terminal.

See the state DOT report here.