The Reading Regional Airport Authority celebrated a ground breaking for a pair of new aircraft hangars, marking the start of a significant construction venture at the Bern Township airfield.
Members of the authority were joined by local officials at a special event Thursday to recognize the start of a $20 million project that will see the authority and a private company construct a total of three new hangars that will span a combined 54,000 square feet.
Two of the hangars are being built by the authority, while the third is being built by a Wyomissing-based company.
The groundbreaking celebrated the start of construction for one of the authority’s hangars and the private company’s project.
Reading Regional Airport Director Zachary Tempesco, airport director, points to where new hangars will be located during a groundbreaking at the airport in Bern Township on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Earlier this year, the authority awarded a $2.36 million contract to Kinsley Construction of York County to build two 15,000-square-foot hangars on the same site. The funds to pay for the development of the hangers are shared between the authority and money from federal and state sources.
The third hangar is a 24,000-square-foot structure being built by Gaming and Leisure Properties, a real estate investment firm specializing in casino properties.
Airport Director Zackary Tempesco told those in attendance that the venture marks the largest investment at the airport since World War II.
“This is very exciting,” he said.
Tempesco said the development represents a change in focus by authority members to run the airport more like a business, ensuring financial stability while building partnerships with companies that can help expand its economic reach.
“We wanted to make sure we are putting money back into infrastructure improvements and expansion,” he said. “These hangars are very much needed by companies along the East Coast and we’re hoping these hangars will attract new customers to the airfield.”
Tempesco said he believes the first two hangars should be operational by next spring. The third will be built in the future as state and federal funding becomes available.
Commissioner Christian Leinbach, who serves as authority chairman, said there has been an increase in aviation business at the airport since the county took over control of operations at the airport four years ago.
“These hangars will be important for continuing that growth,” he said.
Commissioner Michael Rivera said the development project will provide a benefit to the entire county, noting a 2021 study conducted by PennDOT found the airport generates a total annual economic impact of about $78 million.
Reading Regional Airport Director Zackary Tempesco, center, breaks ground with state and local officials and construction personnel during a ceremony for the West Apron Hangar Development Project at the airport in Bern Township on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
And, he said, that figure will be even better with the moves they are making to create more leasable hangar space.
Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. said the authority is focused on making the Reading airfield the best general aviation airport in the state.