YARMOUTH - Alain Muise, CAO for the Municipality of Argyle, has accepted a position as interim manager of the Yarmouth International Airport.
Mike Fields resigned as airport manager effective Nov. 30 under “mutually positive conditions.”
On Dec. 20 Muise presented his vision plan to the Yarmouth International Airport Corporation committee, asking for direction on several proposals.
This past August the corporation voluntarily changed the airport’s certification from 302 to 301 in order to ensure continued air service from the airport. The 302 certification is very rigorous and requires the same regulations that large airports currently maintain. Repairs and capital Improvements were estimated at a minimum of $6 million to regain 302 status.
Without 302 certification the airport cannot have scheduled passenger service, but the benefits of 301 classification include hundreds of thousands of dollars in operational savings. None of the existing traffic coming in and out of the airport would be affected by the change in certification.
Despite not having regular passenger service, the airport is busy, with around 1,500 movements a year. It is used by private aircraft, EHS LifeFlight, charter flights, military assets for training, search and rescue assets, etc.
All of these uses would still be available under 301 certification.
Muise is maintaining his position as CAO for the Municipality of Argyle.
His appointment as interim airport manager runs to March 31, 2018, upon which the board will determine its course of action.
