Bradley aims high with new

Ireland flights return, ground center opens

By JIM K INNEy jkinney@repub.com

Bradley International Airport can grow to be a 10-million-passenger-a-year airport, says Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. But that will take the recovery of an airline industry still staggering from the impact of COVID. And it will mean that Bradley continues to compete for new routes and service. The airport re corded 5.8 million passenger enplanements and deplanements in 2022, up 26% from the 4.7 million boardings in 2021 as the industry continues to recover from COVID 19 shutdowns.

“This is the first year we’ve gotten back on that growth trajectory,” Dillon said, But to hit 10 million, Bradley will need more flights to more places — something it had success with lately from Breeze Airways expansion and the expected March return of nonstop Aer Lingus service to Ireland. But for Bradley to keep growing it’s going to need to compete for planes, air crew and resources from airlines still recovering themselves from COVID shutdowns.

“We are competing with every airport in the country,” Dillon said. But there is hope.

“Every airline I talk to sees opportunities here,” he said.

Dillon and a host of dignitaries, including both of Connecticut’s U.S. senators, opened Bradley’s $210 million ground transportation center in June.

Funded with a surcharge on auto rental

Music, theater are back on WMass stages

By G EORGE L ENKER

Special to The Republican

It won’t be too long until we will mark the three-year anniversary of the first COVID lockdowns in the U.S. And, while the majority of the most restrictive measures have been lifted in the entertainment world, the specter of the coronavirus

Requirements such as proof of vaccination and mandatory masking have pretty much disappeared at shows. While some communities and venues still strongly suggest people to wear face coverings at shows, compliance is often at a minimum. Despite new variants mutating every few months or so, people who frequent concerts, theater and other art installations seem to be fine with reverting to pre-pandemic behavior.

How this will all play out is anyone’s guess, but across Western Massachusetts arts promoters speak confidently yet cautiously about how

“The recovery has been slow but steady,” said John Sanders, a partner with DSP Shows, which books music and comedy up and down the Pioneer Valley. “The second half of 2022 was much better than the first half, and we are optimistic 2023 will continue along that trajectory.” Sanders is a veteran of the regional arts community, having booked numerous shows for years with the Iron Horse Entertainment Group before moving on to DSP. He said that while COVID still plays a role in the direction DSP moves, it hasn’t been a major one lately.

“Generally if we have an oppor really many decisions that have been impacted by the pandemic in the last few months,” he said.

Sanders is upbeat about the coming year.

“Our outdoor series at the Pines is always a highlight of the year for me.

I’m excited for what we have lined up in what should be a busy summer at Look Park,” he said. “We are very pleased with how our first shows at the Drake are doing in Amherst and look forward to continuing to work with them on more shows. And, as a music fan, I’m always excited about the Green River Festival. What a gem of a festival to have in our backyard.”

Speaking of the Green River Festival, its founder and director, Jim Olsen, is also feeling positive about

“Things are finally almost back to normal. After almost three years of lockdown and then unpredictable conditions, we’re finally feeling confident about the success of live music again,” he said. “While we still have about a 10% no-show rate among our ticket holders, it’s trending in the right direction. We’re also experiencing far fewer artist cancellations due to COVID.” Olsen, who also runs the record label Signature Sounds and the Parlor Room in Northampton, said although there is still an element of caution when booking shows, he was pleasantly surprised by a local trend over the past year.

“The most surprising thing has been the addition of several great venues to the scene. It’s so nice to