Concerned About How Close A New Hangar Will Be Built To Its Existing Structure

The airport authority board for Chicago/Gary International Airport in Indiana has unanimously approved an application from East Lake Management and Development Corp. to use an existing hangar and build a new structure for its fleet of corporate jets.

But the final approval has to go through Boeing, which has existing hangars for ITS corporate fleet near the site where the new hangar would be built.

Boeing says it is concerned about security, given the proximity of the planned hangar to its established building, according to a report from nwi.com. It has also expressed concerns about smaller bizjets sharing aprons and taxiways with its larger BBJs.

While Boeing says it supports growth at the northern Indiana airport, he said the company is mainly interested in safety and security at the facility. Gary airport authority board member Cornell Collins said before the vote was taken that the board wanted to "make sure everyone is happy and can live together."

East Lake would pay $71,932 per year in rent to the airport for the two hangars. The lease for both the existing hangar and the one to be built has a term of 20 years with three five-year extensions available.

Boeing is also in lease negotiations with the airport. Its agreement expired in April, and Boeing is currently on month-to-month status while a new lease is finalized.

FMI: www.garychicagoairport.com