ROGERS — Pilots will find increased hangar rental, ground lease rates and fuel fees as a result of decreased aviation activity at Rogers Municipal Airport.
The increased rates and fees take effect Friday, said David Krutsch, airport manager.
Fuel sales dropped from $165,000 last year to $144,464 this year, a 12.4 precent reduction.
The fuel flowage fee will increase from 10 cents to 15 cents per gallon. Open T-hangar lease rates will increase $15 per month from $70 to $85. The ground lease rate will be tied to the Consumer Price Index.
Ground leases are based on the square footage of privately constructed buildings on airport property. The majority of leases have been 10 cents per square foot.
“Even when we apply the Consumer Price Index to the leases most will rise only a few cents. Most will be in the 13 cents per square foot range which is less than 20 cent per square foot most airports our size charge,” Krutsch said.
The increases are the first in several years. The airport has been self-sufficient for many years; it doesn’t receive money from the city’s general fund, Krutsch added.
Dwindling activity at airport reflects a national trend. Air travel and general aviation flights and services are down, said Ray Hobbs, an airport commissioner who also rents a hangar at the facility.
“Generally speaking, air traffic is down. Everybody is having to take a look at their current situations to see what they can do to increase revenue,” Hobbs said.
Rate increases are part of the effort to keep the airport financially sound.
“We have a commission with people from all walks of life and nobody likes to raise rates, particularly in the economy we are in. We have a great facility out there and we want to make sure it is well maintained and taken care of,” Hobbs said.
Airport commissioners are also looking at long-term ideas to increase nonaeronautical revenue. An example would be Fort Smith Regional Airport where officials got Home Depot to build on airport property, Hobbs said.
“We don’t have the room to do something like that but we are looking a variety of ideas. I’m letting the cat out of the bag, but Wesner’s Grill is opening a restaurant at the (fixed based operator) at the airport, early next year,” Hobbs said.
Ken Croft, owner of Wesner’s Grill, said he plans to open at the airport about Jan 13.
“We’re excited about expanding our business to the airport. We will serve the menu as we serve downtown,” Croft said.
City leaders want the airport to remain self-sufficient and continue to grow in the future.
“The airport is a critical part of our economic development program,” said Mayor Steve Womack.
Wal-Mart vendors use the Rogers airport because it’s convenient to the retail giant, Womack said.
“Using the fuel flow dollars and leveraging those dollars with federal and state dollars to make improvements to the airport, make our airport one of the finest general aviation airports in the Mid-South. So our airport is very important to us,” Womack said.
Womack said he is encouraged that the airport commission and staff are taking steps to keep the airport self-sufficient.
Fast Facts
Rogers Municipal Airport
The airport is home to more than 120 single-engine, twin-engine, turbo and jet aircraft. The airport has a 6,011 foot paved and lighted runway with a full instrument landing system and a full-length, lighted taxiway. The Federal Aviation Administration-staffed tower is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Source: Staff Report