A effort led by local community supporters and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) led to the Walter J. Koladza Airport (KGBR) in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, earning a “special permit” from town officials to continue operating.
According to a report at AOPA.org, the special permit was approved by the town selectboard April 17, 2023.
The special permit became necessary after three area residents filed a lawsuit against the town, alleging it had violated its own laws by allowing the airport to develop outside of zoning requirements. Those bringing the lawsuit wanted the airport to go back to its pre-zoning, 1930s-era footprint, which would have effectively shut down the airport, according to AOPA officials.
Without the special permit, the airport would have been forced to shut down its flight school and aircraft maintenance shop, despite having been operating continuously since the 1930s.
In response to the suit, AOPA sent a letter to the town officials that covered topics such as aviation safety, the airport’s condition, airport noise, and environmental impacts. In the letter, AOPA officials warned of the negative economic impact closing a small airport can have on its surrounding community.
The airport, located in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts, is home to about 40 aircraft and is used frequently by emergency medical helicopter flights.
The lawsuit also spawned a new group, the Citizens Committee to Save the Great Barrington Airport, which garnered more than 10,000 signatures on an online petition, according to the AOPA report. The group also produced a video highlighting the airport’s heritage and its importance as a community resource for medical services and aspiring pilots.
“It takes a village to save an airport,” said AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins.
The plaintiffs dropped the lawsuit on May 31, ending the case against closing the airport.
For more information: AOPA.org.
Thanks to the town of Great Barrington for saving the airport. As a kid, I flew in and out of there with my great uncle in the late 50s. After moving to Kansas in 74, I eventually got my pilot license and have flown into Great Barrington many times when coming back to visit family. I knew Walt from when I was a kid up until he died.