Warwick, RI – April 9, 2026 – Today, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (“RIAC”) Board of
Directors approved a lease amendment with the Quonset Development Corporation (“QDC”) to
support the previously announced, multibillion-dollar expansion of General Dynamics Electric
Boat (“Electric Boat”). The action authorizes RIAC to advance a Land Use Release Application
to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), a critical step in enabling the project that is
expected to bring more than 3,000 jobs to Rhode Island.
RIAC’s involvement follows a request from QDC and Electric Boat to evaluate whether certain
airport property – including the crosswind runway – could be repurposed to accommodate the
expansion. In response, RIAC conducted a preliminary assessment of operational, regulatory,
and infrastructure considerations, which led to the action taken by the Board today. The FAA
submittal and review process is expected to be complete in approximately 6 to 8 months.
In parallel, the Board also advanced a long-term lease framework with FlightLevel Aviation that
supports continued hangar development and private investment across Quonset, North Central,
Newport, Westerly, and Block Island airports. This system-wide approach is designed to expand
capacity at the airports, improve services for pilots, and support long-term growth in general
aviation across Rhode Island.
At a time when general aviation is declining across the nation’s more than 19,000 general
aviation airports, RIAC has made sustained, system-wide investments in general aviation
infrastructure totaling more than $77 million in recent years. This includes the full reconstruction
of Quonset’s primary runway (16/34) at approximately $63 million, significant safety
enhancements through system-wide obstruction removal and easement acquisitions, and more
than $6 million in apron expansion and rehabilitation at Block Island and North Central. To date,
RIAC has removed over 1,000 long-standing obstructions across the airport system, substantially
improving safety and airspace protection. Additional investments include wildlife fencing,
upgrades to navigational and weather systems, such as AWOS installations, and targeted airfield
improvements across multiple airports. RIAC will continue to advance obstruction removal and
related safety improvements as remaining approvals and processes are completed.
“Today’s action allows this opportunity to move forward through the FAA’s review process while
preserving RIAC’s control over safety, operations, and compliance,” said Iftikhar Ahmad,
president and CEO of RIAC. “At the same time, we have made more than $77 million in system-
wide investments in general aviation infrastructure, including the reconstruction of Quonset’s
primary runway and the removal of over 1,000 long-standing obstructions. This reflects a
comprehensive approach to strengthening the entire airport system.”
“RIAC’s FAA application is part of Rhode Island’s broader effort to support economic growth in
our state,” said Governor Dan McKee. “It will help facilitate a major expansion of Electric
Boat, bringing in 3,000 good-paying jobs. My administration supports moving this proposal
through the federal review process and will continue working with all partners to advance and
expand opportunities for Rhode Island workers.”
“At a moment when our sailors need the best possible technology to defend our country and
return safely home, Electric Boat has been tasked with building submarines right here in Rhode
Island. We support RIAC’s application to the FAA and look forward to putting the land to use to
support our nation’s security and create high paying jobs for Rhode Islanders,” stated Chelsea
Siefert, COO of the Quonset Development Corporation.
The FAA review process will be comprehensive and will include environmental analysis,
engineering and airfield safety evaluations, a review of lease and land use obligations, and
coordination with existing airport users. As part of this process, the FAA will consider approving
the closure and decommissioning of Runway 5/23, the airport’s shorter secondary runway at
4,000 feet in length. No commercial airline service operates from Quonset Airport.
“Rhode Island continues to demonstrate strong leadership in our nation’s defense and ocean
technology fields,” said Secretary of Commerce and Chair of the Quonset Development
Corporation board of directors Stefan Pryor. “Today’s decision is an important step toward
ensuring that Electric Boat can grow right here in Rhode Island —adding thousands of quality
jobs to our state and further strengthening our economic momentum.”
“This is the kind of investment Rhode Island is focused on, driving job growth, and
strengthening our economy. We’re proud to support the electric boat expansion and the
opportunity it creates for our workforce,” stated James S. Bennett, president and CEO of Rhode
Island Commerce.
“The board thought it was critically important that the FAA be presented with a Land Reuse
Application for review, given the magnitude of the economic impact that is being considered,”
stated Jonathan N. Savage, chair, RIAC’s Board of Directors.
