After Sharp Drop in Passengers, Bradley Airport Offers On-Site COVID-19 Testing

Connecticut’s Bradley Airport has seen a sharp drop in passengers since the start of the pandemic. But an airport official hopes a new testing option will help bring people back.

On a recent weekday morning, departing passengers trickled into Bradley Airport. 

One of them was Elizabeth Gaines, 29, who was headed home to L.A. after visiting family in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. She’s been flying throughout the pandemic.

"At the beginning, my family was definitely scared of me like coming home and stuff," she said. "And then as time’s gone on, it’s kinda like, 'Well, you’re not going to anything, or you’re going to go about things as you normally would,' so that’s kind of what we’re doing."

Well, not exactly normally – Gaines said she does take an extra step before flying east.

"I’ll get tested out in L.A. so I can come here, and I have, like, the negative test, and then I don’t really see many people beside my family," she said.

Mark Chu of Farmington, Connecticut, was flying for the first time since the pandemic began. He was headed to Las Vegas with his girlfriend, Julia Fox, for vacation.

"Looking forward to just getting away," he said. "It’s been a long time, you know — cooped up in the house and getting antsy."

Chu said he’s not worried about increasing his risk of catching COVID-19.

"I feel fine about it," he said. "Yeah, I’m not too concerned, and people are taking precautions, so it doesn’t concern me too much."

Credit Alden Bourne / NEPM

/

NEPM

While Gaines and Chu chose to fly, a lot of people aren’t.

Kevin Dillon, the executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which oversees Bradley, said the number of passengers is down about 80%, and the number of flights is down sharply, as well.

"Prior to the pandemic, we were handling 80 to 90 departures per day," Dillon said. "Right now, we’re averaging about 30 departures per day."

That decrease has affected the airport’s bars and restaurants, rental car companies — and, no doubt, those who work for them.

Dillon said Bradley itself has taken a major financial hit.

"The airlines are about 60% of our total revenue, and the landing fees make up a good portion," he said, adding that the airport was helped by $28 million in federal assistance.

Credit Alden Bourne / NEPM

/

NEPM

Dillon said the passenger numbers actually started to recover late last spring, but sunk again after Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont ordered travelers from states with high rates of COVID-19 to quarantine for 14 days.

In mid-September, Lamont offered an exemption to passengers who test negative for COVID-19.

"We are going to try to make it as easy as possible for our passengers to avail themselves of that," Dillon said. 

So last week, the airport began offering testing on-site in the baggage claim area. 

Credit Tyler Russell / Connecticut Public

/

Connecticut Public

Credit Alden Bourne / NEPM

/

NEPM

Julie vanderKroef of Newtown, Connecticut, was flying out to Oregon, to celebrate her 60th birthday. She said she couldn’t wait to get in the air.

“I love flying. I love being on an airplane. I find it very relaxing and very exciting," she said.

It may be a while until more passengers feel that way, with the gates at Bradley Airport filled with people eager to fly.