After years of litigation, Norwood (Massachusetts) Airport and Boston Executive Helicopters (BEH) reached a settlement agreement in federal court on Tuesday that allows BEH to open an FBO at the airport within 30 days. The new BEH facility will be the second FBO at Norwood.
Under the agreement, the town of Norwood acknowledges BEH’s contention that it had satisfied all minimum standards for the issuance of an FBO permit back in 2014, as well as stipulating that BEH meets all the requirements for the prompt issuance of an FBO permit by the airport for an initial lease period of five years.
The airport will also pay BEH $750,000 as compensation for legal fees incurred in the litigation. In addition, the airport must provide and pay for pedestrian and vehicular security gates with keypad access to BEH facilities within 90 days of the execution of the agreement. Furthermore, the airport authority shall “cooperate and support” BEH if it elects to pursue the construction of a new hangar and the company’s efforts to obtain FAA approval for a long-term lease (up to 30 years duration).
Meanwhile, BEH is still pursuing litigation in Norfolk Superior Court against the other FBO at Norwood, FlightLevel Aviation, alleging it conspired to prevent BEH from being allowed to operate as a fuel vendor at the airport.