Tweed-New Haven Airport Executive Director Tom Rafter will retire in 2026 at the conclusion of his contract, the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority announced Thursday.
The authority’s board has launched a search for Rafter’s successor.
Rafter was hired in December 2022 and started as executive director in January 2023, replacing Sean Scanlon, who was elected state comptroller.
Rafter first announced his retirement plans during a board meeting in August.
Under Rafter’s leadership, passenger traffic has increased from fewer than 30,000 in 2021 to more than 700,000 in the past year, driven largely by the arrival of budget carriers Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways.
Rafter has also advanced major infrastructure projects, including an 84,000-square-foot terminal expansion on the airport’s East Haven side and a 639-foot runway extension to accommodate larger aircraft and increased traffic. Design of the new East Terminal is now 70% complete.
However, Rafter’s retirement comes as the ambitious plans face challenges.
While the Federal Aviation Administration approved the project in December 2023, the expansion still requires permits from the state, according to CT Insider.
Marc Ricks, CEO of Avports, the Goldman Sachs-owned company that manages the airport, recently warned that the expansion could be in jeopardy without better alignment from local officials in New Haven and East Haven, CT Insider reported.
The expansion has drawn opposition from some East Haven residents who cite concerns about increased noise, traffic and environmental impacts on nearby wetlands.
Supporters, including New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, argue the expanded airport is crucial to southern Connecticut’s economic development.
The Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority has approved an agreement for Rafter to assist with the transition and onboarding of his successor. The executive director position is now open for applications.
