Andrew Davis Reflects on 17 Years Transforming Worcester Regional Airport
Andrew Davis Says Worcester Airport’s Biggest Challenges Were “Myths”
“I can thank the city’s leadership and the state leadership to understand that the second largest city in New England needs and deserves an airport,”
By-Staff
Photo – Copyright Andrew Davis
WORCESTER, MA-Andrew Davis concluded his tenure as director of Worcester Regional Airport Friday, July 3rd, after 17 years.
In speaking with Andy Davis, host, Hank noted that when Davis took over, people were openly talking about if there should even be an airport. “I can thank the city’s leadership and the state leadership to understand that the second largest city in New England needs and deserves an airport,” said Davis.
Taking over in 2008 when Massport assumed ownership, Davis oversaw more than $150 million in infrastructure investments, most notably a $30 million instrument landing system upgrade that reduced weather-related flight cancellations. Still, it can be hard to shake off some of the preconceived notions, “Two of them, I call them as myths that I was faced with was that it was always fogged in and it’s a difficult airport to get to” Davis says neither of those things are true, “It’s the people that don’t use the airport that are living that myth.”
The airport now serves approximately 80% leisure travelers with stable service from JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta, while also supporting growing general aviation and corporate jet operations. Looking forward, opportunities exist in cargo operations through Amazon Prime’s narrow-body fleet and expanded business travel connections to major hubs.
Davis leaves the airport with the achieved goal of filling the parking lot with cars as more people Fly Worcester.
A Brief History of Worcester Regional Airport
Worcester Regional Airport has served Central Massachusetts for nearly a century. Originally established in 1927 as Worcester Municipal Airport, it was created to support the growing demand for aviation as commercial air travel began expanding across the United States.
The airport experienced significant growth following World War II, with runway improvements and the addition of commercial passenger service. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, several airlines came and went, but competition from larger airports in Boston, Providence, and Hartford often made it difficult to sustain consistent service.
A major turning point came in 2010, when the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) assumed ownership and operation of the airport from the City of Worcester. The move ushered in more than $150 million in infrastructure investments, including runway improvements, terminal upgrades, and a state-of-the-art Instrument Landing System (ILS) that significantly reduced weather-related flight cancellations.
Today, Worcester Regional Airport offers scheduled service through JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta, connecting travelers to major hubs such as New York and Orlando while also supporting corporate aviation, flight training, medical flights, and general aviation. As passenger traffic continues to grow, the airport remains an important transportation asset for Central Massachusetts, with opportunities for expanded business travel and future cargo operations.
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