Hanscom Field
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Headquarters | Bedford , United States |
Area served | New England |
Key people | Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
| Products | Airport services, general aviation facilities, flight training schools |
| Parent | Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
| Website | www |
Laurence G. Hanscom Field, commonly referred to as Hanscom Field, is a publicly accessible airport managed by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). It is situated northwest of Boston within the town of Bedford, Massachusetts.
As the largest general aviation facility in New England, Hanscom Field features two asphalt runways designed to accommodate jet aircraft. It is located adjacent to Hanscom Air Force Base, a center for defense research activities. The airport supports a fleet of more than 40 rental planes and houses two flight training schools inside its Civil Air Terminal. General aviation transient traffic is serviced by three fixed-base operators: Jet Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Aviation.
On occasion, Hanscom serves charter flights for professional sports franchises such as the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox, offering an alternative to the nearby Logan International Airport.
FAA data indicates that in 2017, Hanscom Field recorded 10,956 passenger boardings. The FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorizes it as a non-primary commercial service airport, reflecting annual enplanements ranging from 2,500 to 10,000.
The airport accommodates a diverse array of aircraft, from small Piper Cub models to large business jets like the Gulfstream V. Following the events of September 11, Massport introduced enhanced security measures including fees, mandatory identification cards, and propeller locks for general aviation operators.
Facilities and aircraft
Hanscom Field covers an area at an elevation of above mean sea level.
It operates two asphalt-surfaced runways:
- Runway 11/29:
- Runway 5/23:
During the twelve months ending September 30, 2021, the airport logged 99,961 aircraft operations—averaging 274 daily—with activity comprising approximately 81% general aviation, 18% air taxi, and under 1% military or scheduled commercial flights. As of April 2022, there were 252 aircraft based at Hanscom Field: including 146 single-engine planes, 20 multi-engine planes, 75 jets, and 11 helicopters.
Historically, Hanscom ranked second in New England for total aircraft movements after Boston-Logan International Airport. Its traffic predominantly consists of business jets and general aviation flights. The FAA control tower is staffed from to , with Massport imposing additional fees for operations conducted during nighttime hours outside these times.
Airlines and destinations
Since 1980, Massport has restricted scheduled commercial flights at Hanscom to aircraft seating no more than 60 passengers.
Between 1999 and 2004, Shuttle America—a Connecticut-based carrier—provided scheduled service using De Havilland Dash 8-300 turboprops. This service transported over 10,000 passengers monthly to regional cities such as Buffalo, Hartford, New York LaGuardia, Trenton, and Greensboro. Shuttle America also functioned as a US Airways Express feeder until its service concluded in 2004.
Starting in 2002, Boston-Maine Airways (operating as Pan Am Clipper Connection) offered flights with Jetstream 31 aircraft linking Hanscom to Pease Airport (Portsmouth) and Trenton–Mercer Airport. Additional destinations included Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport. Despite attempts to expand routes, financial difficulties led the FAA to order suspension of operations in 2008, ending nearly ten years of scheduled airline service at Hanscom.
In 2011, Streamline Air from Trenton initiated public charter flights using Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft but ceased operations by September 2012.
Commercial passenger service returned in spring 2021 when Southern Airways Express replaced its Hyannis-Nantucket route with Bedford/Hanscom Field-Nantucket flights beginning May 26—restoring scheduled airline operations after almost ten years.
Significant incidents at Hanscom Field
On August 8, 1962, a U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed while approaching runway 11, resulting in the total loss of the aircraft and the deaths of all three crew members.
In September 1964, to bypass the heavy traffic at Boston-Logan International Airport, The Beatles landed at Hanscom Field on a chartered plane before performing at Boston Garden.
On November 24, 1988, Greek fugitive businessman George Koskotas, wanted for forgery and embezzlement charges, was captured by the FBI at Hanscom Field after arriving via private jet.
A private Gulfstream IV business jet crashed past runway 11 on May 31, 2014, following an aborted takeoff; all seven passengers perished. Initial findings from the NTSB indicated that locked flight controls prevented the aircraft from rotating during takeoff. Among those killed was Lewis Katz, co-owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com.
Actor and aviator Harrison Ford touched down at Hanscom Field on June 2, 2017, ahead of his visit to Boston.
Films/shooting locations at Hanscom Field
- What's The Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
- The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
- Edge of Darkness (2010)