Airport/FBO Management & Development

Hawthorne has earned an unequaled reputation for the management of general aviation airports and on-airport facilities. The genesis of the company's airport management capability dates back to Department of Defense airport management contracts in the 1950s and 1960s. Those initial agreements led to airport management opportunities at general aviation facilities. In the early 1990s the airport management division of the company was formalized.

Hawthorne is one of only a few private U. S. companies with significant airport management experience, and the only one that is specifically orientated to the general aviation, corporate, and special purpose (including military, space, and cargo) communities.

Hawthorne has advanced knowledge of terminal, runway and associated facilities, maintenance, repair, construction and practical application of equipment and materials associated with airport operations, as well as a demonstrated understanding in aging behavior of terminal, runway and associated facilities to assess and determine the necessity for remedial maintenance action.

Examples of Hawthorne Airport Management & Development

Spaceport America

• Hawthorne was retained to provide advisory and operational management services to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority as they developed the world's first greenfield spaceport/airport dedicated to commercial space flight and the future home of Virgin Galactic
• Negotiated the development agreement and facilities lease agreement on behalf of the New Mexico Airport Authority

Allentown, PA

• Under contract with the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority, Hawthorne provided both airline and general aviation services
• Handled six airlines during its tenure in Allentown offering a variety of services including everything from landside ticketing and check-in to airside fueling and baggage handling
• General aviation services included fueling, ground handling, passenger services and VIP special operations programs that served corporate, private and government operators Notably, Hawthorne was chosen to handle Air Force One on three different occasions
• Under contract with the Authority and after proving themselves at Lehigh Valley Airport, Hawthorne was contracted to manage all services and facilities at the Queen City Airport, a reliever airport to Allentown
  • These services included the primary FBO functions as well as airfield inspection and coordination of airfield operations with the Authority maintenance and security staff

Rhode Island

• In 1996, Hawthorne was awarded a full management contract for the five general aviation airports in the state of Rhode Island including:
  • North Central Airport-Smithfield, Rhode Island
  • Quonset State Airport-North Kingstown, Rhode Island
  • Newport State Airport-Newport, Rhode Island
  • Block Island Airport-New Shoreham, Rhode Island
  • Westerly State Airport-Westerly, Rhode Island
• Contract included responsibility for FAA regulatory coordination, capital improvement projects, snow removal, mowing and airfield maintenance
• Also responsible for awarding and administering operating and lease agreements to FBOs and other airport service providers
• Hawthorne's most recent project with the state of Rhode Island was when Hawthorne helped develop, build, and design a business plan for a new general aviation facility at Quonset State Airport North County Palm Beach, FL Hawthorne provided full airport management and FBO services at the North County General Aviation Airport at Palm Beach, Florida Contract included development of hangars and the responsibility for ground maintenance of the airport.

Knoxville Downtown Island Airport

• On behalf of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Hawthorne managed the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport
• Knoxville Downtown Island Airport is a general aviation airport located less than three miles from downtown Knoxville in the Tennessee River Valley and is base for more than one hundred private and corporate aircraft
• The airport has a 3,500-foot runway with a published localizer-only approach
• An FAA control tower is operational when high traffic is anticipated for special events within the community, such as University of Tennessee football games
• Hawthorne managed all facilities and services.

Claremore, OK

• The Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority contracted with Hawthorne in 1996 to develop and operate a Greenfield airport at the Claremore Airport Industrial Park
• Hawthorne developed the Claremore Regional Airport, which is outside Class C airspace, away from any Tulsa ATC congestion
• The facilities consist of a wide 5,400 foot lighted asphalt runway and parallel taxiway which are complemented by a 4,000 square foot heated hangar, a shop area complete with independent climate control, compressed air hook-ups and tie-downs
• Hawthorne developed the facilities on behalf of the Authority until the business activity reached a level which supported a traditional service provider

Download a PDF Overview of Airport/FBO Management