TF Green

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T. F. Green Airport

T. F. Green International Airport , also known as Theodore Francis Green State Airport, is a public airport located in Warwick, six miles (10 km) south of Providence, in Kent County, Rhode Island, USA. Dedicated in 1931, the airport was named for former Rhode Island governor and longtime senator Theodore F. Green. Completely rebuilt in 1996, with the renovated main terminal named for former Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun. It was the first state-owned airport in the United States.

Massport has been promoting T.F. Green as an alternative to Boston's Logan International Airport, as delays and wait time are minimal. The airport's expansion is limited, as it is surrounded by residential homes. However, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) now owns some residential property on the eastern side of the airport near the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting building. Most homes on Cedar Swamp Road and Pembroke Avenue have since been demolished, likely to make way for future expansion.

It is the largest and most active airport among the six operated by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

Facilities

T. F. Green Airport covers and has two runways:

Runway 5/23: 7,166 x 150 ft. (2,184 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
Runway 16/34: 6,081 x 150 ft. (1,853 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt

Taxiway Victor served as Runway 5L/23R until 2003.

Airlines and destinations

Air Canada

Air Canada Jazz operated by Air Georgian (Toronto-Pearson)

American Airlines

American Eagle (Chicago-O'Hare [ends November 2])

Cape Air (Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket)
Continental Airlines

Continental Connection operated by Colgan Air (Newark)
Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Cleveland, Newark)

Delta Air Lines

Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (Atlanta)
Delta Connection operated by Chatauqua Airlines (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK)
Delta Connection operated by Comair (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK)

Northwest Airlines (Detroit)

Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

SATA International (Ponta Delgada) [seasonal]
Southwest Airlines (Baltimore/Washington, Chicago-Midway, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Tampa)
United Airlines (Chicago-O'Hare)

United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines (Chicago-O'Hare)
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines (Washington-Dulles)

US Airways (Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan)

US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin (Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan)
US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines (New York-LaGuardia)
US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines (Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington-Reagan)

Ground transportation

T.F. Green Airport has direct access to I-95. The airport is served by major car rental companies as well as by local taxi and limousine services.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) offers public bus transportation to and from the cities of Providence (Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence) and Newport, and the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston. In particular:

The #20 bus goes to Kennedy Plaza by way of Elmwood and Roger Williams Park and Zoo, and takes approximately 40 minutes.
The #14 bus goes directly to and from Kennedy Plaza and takes approximately 15-25 minutes, also connects to Newport, Narragansett, and East Greenwich.
The #66 bus also makes a direct route to Kennedy Plaza, also connects to URI.

Work has started on an intermodal station adjacent to the airport. Negotiations are in progress for the station to be served by the MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak to provide service to Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, Massachusetts, and the Amtrak Northeast Corridor including New York City. However those negotiations have been in progress for several years and as of groundbreaking no definitive agreements are in place for train service, No weekend service is planned. The construction was funded in a 2005 federal highway bill. In 2008, a funding shortfall was announced due to escalated construction costs. Presently, Amtrak trains ride through Warwick, passing 1,250 feet from the airport terminal, without making a stop, as the station is not complete. Amtrak is resisting adding TF Green Station as a stop citing costs related to building and electrifying extra train rails. Amtrak has also cited a lack of sufficient ridership for the stop to be economically sustainable. This may change with time.

Groundbreaking for the station was on July 17, 2006. Upon its completion (expected in 2010), T.F. Green will have the closest intercity air-to-rail link in the country. Site preparation began in September 2007 and, as of October 2007, construction was expected to begin in the spring of 2008.

Renovation/expansion plans

Terminal renovation project

Since the new terminal was opened in 1996, T.F. Green has become more congested due to increased traffic and post-September 11th security changes. As a result, terminal renovations have recently begun. According to the RIAC website, these improvements include:

Expansion of the airline baggage rooms to accommodate the construction of a new In-Line Explosive Detection System (EDS) Baggage Handling System, allowing the removal of the EDS equipment currently residing in the terminal lobby;
Expansion of the security screening checkpoint by widening the area to accommodate eight lanes and lengthening it to allow for increased passenger screening areas;
Construction of exit ramps that will allow deplaning passengers to proceed directly to the lower level baggage claim area;
Increased concessions on both pre- and post-security, including a new seating area in baggage claim on the lower level;
Expansion of the second and third floor RIAC administration offices to accommodate RIAC staff and support space, TSA screening stations, and increased leasable space; and
Addition of new ticket counter positions on both the north and south sides of the terminal lobby to accommodate future commercial service enhancements.

(List quoted from T.F. Green's Website)

Runway expansion

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation writes (in 2001) that the master plan completed in 1997 failed to envision the "tremendous growth" that had been experience in the years hitherto. The report identifies lack of runway length as a hindrance to "range and diversity of service", in particular emphasizing ability to service non-hub locations, the west coast, and international locations. A challenge particular to T.F. Green in this regard is its being surrounded by dense residential and commercial development. Many local residents also oppose expansion for the impact it will have on quality of life in the area.

While some expansion proponents claim extending the main runway would bring in an estimated $138 million over the course of 13 years, doing so could consume 204 houses, at least ten businesses, and large areas of wetlands. More recent studies indicate substantially decreased enplanements due in-part to soaring fuel costs, and easier access to Logan International Airport since completion of improvements to the Southeast Expressway, Third Harbor Tunnel, bus services between TF Green and Logan, as well as the introduction of low cost carriers at Logan such as Jet Blue. The FAA plans to hold public meetings in upcoming May before making its recommendation concerning runway expansion to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

Incidents

Trivia

The Rolling Stones were arrested here in 1972 after assaulting a photographer, and were brought to the Warwick police station. Their flight could not land in Boston, where they had a concert, due to fog. They were processed quickly to avoid a riot at the concert site.
The terminal is named in honor of Bruce Sundlun, a former governor.