Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) recently joined state and local officials for a ribbon cutting at Lehigh Valley International airport in Pennsylvania, US to celebrate the completion of Hangar 11, a 54,000 sq ft facility equipped to accommodate the latest generation of corporate aircraft up to the G650.

“Opening these hangar doors starts the next exciting chapter for general aviation at Lehigh Valley International,” says Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of LNAA. “We are appreciative of the continual support from our regional delegation in Harrisburg. If you search the Northeast corridor, hangar space is extremely limited. We are confident that Hangar 11 delivers a competitive advantage in attracting new tenants, which strengthens economic growth within the Lehigh Valley.”

The airport authority received a $8.8 million grant from the PennDOT Bureau of Aviation to boost the financial feasibility of developing the $16.3 million project. “During these very challenging times in aviation across the country, and especially in Pennsylvania, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unveiling of Hangar 11 is an encouraging story that still shows the continued strong economic growth at the Lehigh Valley International airport,” states Anthony J. McCloskey, director of the PennDOT Bureau of Aviation. “The Bureau of Aviation's Transportation Assistance Program has provided over $8.8 million for the site development, design and construction of the hangar, apron and adjacent parking lot.”

The airport currently has 137 based aircraft, and operations take place on two runways. This is the first hangar constructed at Lehigh since 2006.