AOPA, New Jersey pilots oppose hangar eviction effort

In a letter sent to tenants, the Forest Fire Service said due to “significant construction activities” to “address critical repair and condition issues,” the airport will no longer allow pilots and airport businesses to lease hangar space.

It will give tenants “at least three months’ notice” before they are evicted, and grass tiedowns will continue to be available at the airport, which is used as a base for aerial wildfire suppression.

“Due to extensive capital improvements needed to the hangar, the size of the hangar complex is being reduced and will only be available for use by the Forest Fire Service. Airport operations, outside of the hangar, will continue without interruption,” the service said in a statement posted on Facebook.

However, the two primary businesses at the airport—a flight school and a maintenance shop—could be forced to close their doors if the plan moves forward.

“Where there is some transient traffic through Aeroflex/Andover Airport, the decision to evict tenants and demolish the hangars they use is appalling, and could put them out of business,” said AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins. “The flight school primarily operates a fleet of fabric-covered airplanes, which cannot be stored outdoors, and the maintenance shop needs hangar space to operate. This decision clearly did not take the tenants’ needs into account and should be reevaluated.”