County Commissioners engage international feasibility firm to evaluate airport

For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2024

County Commissioners engage international
feasibility firm to evaluate airportMerchant Aviation, LLC to assess the condition and financial
viability of Monmouth Executive Airport

FREEHOLD, NJ - The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced today that international aviation consulting firm, Merchant Aviation, LLC, has been hired to perform a comprehensive business feasibility analysis of the Monmouth Executive Airport.

The analysis will include an examination of the conditions, safety, and finances of the airport, which has languished for years with little being done to improve its infrastructure or facilities.

"Representatives from the County have heard disturbing reports from a variety of sources about the condition of the airport and its supporting facilities," said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. "I recently toured the airport and came away with my own, serious concerns, both about safety at the airport and its financial viability. We are hiring Merchant Aviation to determine if the airport could be better run and maintained under County ownership."

Merchant Aviation is a full-service aviation consulting firm that has provided feasibility and planning studies to some of the top aviation projects in the US and across the globe. Merchant has worked on the Westchester County Airport Master Plan, Newark Liberty International Airport Long-Term Redevelopment Plan, and the San Francisco Domestic Terminal Redevelopment Plan.

"We are honored to have been selected by Monmouth County to conduct the feasibility study for Monmouth Executive Airport," said Joel Couillandeau, CEO of Merchant Aviation. "This is a significant opportunity for us to leverage our expertise in aviation planning and development to help determine the future of this important regional airport. We look forward to collaborating with the County and key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive analysis to preserve this airport for the Monmouth County community."

The first phase of this project will produce a better understanding of the airport's condition, the needed upgrades and the current finances related to the business operations.

"I want to be crystal clear; no decisions have been made related to the County's disposition towards the airport," said Arnone. "This is another step in the process of collecting information and assessing our options as it relates to an important and valuable County asset. That said, whatever decision we make will be after a thorough and deliberative process, and with the best interests of Monmouth County residents and the airport's future in mind."

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