Airports and State Advocacy

Mass. transportation overhaul moves aeronautics to DOT

By Sarah Brown

An overhaul of the Massachusetts transportation system signed into law June 26 will replace the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) with an aeronautics division in the newly formed state Department of Transportation.

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill that reorganizes the commonwealth’s transportation commissions under one consolidated agency, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The legislation is intended to streamline the commonwealth’s transportation system, which has been operating under the jurisdictions of several independent commissions.

“AOPA has been working with the MAC to protect and support the GA airports of Massachusetts,” said AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Greg Pecoraro, “and we will continue to work with the division of aeronautics as it takes on the mission and responsibilities of the MAC.”

In the division of aeronautics, the administrator will oversee the commonwealth’s 42 general aviation airports; the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will continue to handle commercial airports. The changes are set to take effect Nov. 1.

July 1, 2009