Million Air celebrated the grand opening of its new hangar at its corporate aviation complex at Westchester County Airport on May 2. The Houston-based luxury avionics, charter, and aircraft-maintenance company is in the process of an $80 million expansion and upgrade at the airport, spanning 26 acres, including a 52,000 sq ft hangar addition that now completes an 84,000 sq ft complex of hangar space and 7.25 acres of ramp space.
The two-story hangar includes eight customizable offices with storage space, 28-foot height doors, and heated floors, allowing temperatures to be maintained for aircraft and pilots. Million Air’s 18,000 sq ft, two-story, Adirondack-styled terminal at the airport is located adjacent to the new hangar. Expected to be completed by the end of the year, the luxurious terminal will include seating areas, fireplaces, wood beam ceilings, conference rooms, pilot lounge with sleep rooms, coffee bar, climate controlled indoor valet area, and additional parking.
Roger Woolsey, CEO of Million Air, says he chose our backyard for this project as Westchester County is the second busiest corporate airport in America, after Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. “You’ve got this need, so we really combined the lack of infrastructure and the need with the customers and we just thought that was the perfect place to really make the improvements,” says Woolsey.
He says that the opening of this massive hangar is not just for millionaire flyers. According to Woolsey, 80% of the private aircrafts that are owned are owned by small businesses (under 300 employees). He acknowledges that it is more convenient for businessmen and women in Westchester to fly out of our local airport than a commercial airport in New York City.
Woolsey says that his job is to help make a good first impression for those traveling into the county. “The corporations are bringing their airplanes here; they are really what’s driving the community; they are driving the local economy; they’re creating jobs…Our job is just to make sure that we greet the market makers of this community, so that’s what we’re doing here.”
The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a 30-year lease in 2016 with Million Air, allowing improvements of the company’s Fixed Base Operation facilities at Westchester County Airport. The Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) lowered the project’s financing costs when it approved issuing tax-exempt bonds for Million Air in 2016.
Westchester County Director of Operations Joan McDonald said recently, “Each day our administration is looking for opportunities to partner with businesses in Westchester County. We are proud of what we as a County have to offer both new and existing companies looking to make Westchester their home. Million Air’s new hangar at Westchester County Airport is a great example of what we can accomplish together.”
