Travelers can hopefully expect a new and improved experience getting to Logan Airport, a goal that has been much needed for passengers navigating the airport’s chaotic surroundings.
“I’ve never heard someone say to me, ‘Hey, boy, I loved getting to Logan Airport today. It was amazing,’” Richard Davey, the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, said on Boston Public Radio Monday.
The main issue, according to Davey, has been the airport’s physical space. Logan had its highest ever number of customers this past year: 43.5 million . Davey said the airport is expecting to get to 53.5 million in the next decade.
To ease passengers’ frustrations, Massport is implementing a variety of changes, including incentivizing public transportation to the airport and investing in drop-off and pick-up points. These changes are expected to ease congestion and improve the overall airport experience for both passengers and drivers.
One of the big changes is an increase in fees for ride-hailing apps , which are used by roughly 30% of the airport’s passengers. Starting July 1, passengers using apps like Uber and Lyft to travel to or from Logan will pay $5.50 per trip instead of the current $3.25 surcharge.
Davey defended the fee hike, saying those additional funds will support public transportation investments.
“This is one of the reasons why we raised fees,” he said.
Massport is also piloting a program that will allow passengers to take discounted Uber or Lyft rides from their homes to Logan Express sites . Davey thinks this could be taken a step further.
“What if you could park there and then not only get on a bus there, but go through TSA security there, get on a bus and be dropped off on the secure side of the airport?” he said.
Currently, Philadelphia offers this service , but only for American Airlines passengers. “We believe we can make it happen here,” Davey said.
Massport is also focused on improving the airport’s ground transportation infrastructure and is building a new garage in Terminal E.
As part of his commitment to enhancing the Logan experience, Davey also addressed a concern that often frustrates passengers: interactions with state troopers at the airport.
“There’s a little bit of that frustration that I can see. So obviously, we’ve got more work to do,” he said. “But, [the state troopers’] principle job is safety. And they do a hell of a job there. But yes, if we could have a lighter touch around the airport, I’d like that too.”
Davey also touched on broader safety concerns related to air traffic control staffing, especially after the fatal midair collision at Reagan National Airport in January .
”Logan Airport is safe. Flying is still the safest way to get around,“ Davey said. But he emphasized that the current administration needs to hire more air traffic controllers.
“If people call in sick or if they’re understaffed, then what happens? Less planes take off and less planes land,” Davey said. “So delays that you could be seeing this summer or next year would be as a result of that.”
