New Jersey moves ahead with hangar demolition at Aeroflex-Andover

Hangar tenants at New Jersey's Aeroflex-Andover Airport have received eviction notices giving them until December 31 to leave, as the state moves ahead with a plan to demolish most of the field's older hangar buildings.

The notices follow a June announcement that raised questions about the future of the airport's flight school and maintenance operation. The state cites widespread structural and maintenance problems in the buildings as justification for the demolition.

AOPA said in an October 1 statement that engineers it hired to inspect the hangars reached a different conclusion: repairs would cost considerably less than tearing the complex down. Sean Collins, the association's eastern regional manager, said the group was unhappy with the state's decision to proceed with removing buildings he called central to what makes the airport notable. He said efforts to keep the hangars in use would continue despite the notices.

Andover Flight Academy and an aircraft maintenance business could be forced to close if the buildings come down. Instructor Justine Pasniewski has said relocating would be difficult given how little hangar space is available. Many aircraft at the field are older, fabric-covered types that must be stored indoors.

The state has said the airport will remain open to the public and will continue offering outdoor tie-downs, with remaining hangar capacity reserved for firefighting use. AOPA said it is still in talks with local and state officials and is requesting a meeting with New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill.