Springdale Municipal Airport Saw Increased Traffic In July

SPRINGDALE -- Officials have seen more airplanes at Springdale Municipal Airport recently, and planned upgrades could attract more they said.

The airport sold more than 51,000 gallons of fuel in July, but the monthly average is between 20,000 and 30,000 said Wyman Morgan, city director of finance and administration. July sales are the most fuel sold in one month since September 2007. Springdale Airport Commission members discussed possible reasons for the increase during Thursday's meeting.

Neil Johnson, commission chairman, said he's seen larger jets flying into the airport recently. More corporate employees have been traveling through the airport, said Susanne Beckette, fixed base operator manager for Summit Aviation. Officials have encouraged pilots to return to the airport and to tell their friends about their experiences.

It's possible new venues, such as the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, are attracting more people to the area, Johnson said. There were 2,580 take-offs and landings at the airport last month, 230 more than in July 2013, according to commission documents.

The commission approved waiving a fuel fee Sept. 5-7, a Razorback football weekend. Commissioners said they believe the waiver could attract more planes to the airport. The 11-cent per gallon fee goes to the city.

Commission members also discussed upgrades to a fuel storage area and a new access road. Upgrades to the airport will make it look nicer and give visitors a good first impression of Springdale, said Micah Thomason, commission vice chairman.

The airport originally had two fueling areas for airplanes, Morgan said. One of the areas was old and would have cost a lot of money to update. Officials decided to remove it.

The remaining area had two tanks, and officials decided to add a third, Morgan said. The old area had four tanks. The areas had more fuel storage space than the airport needed.

Officials are also adding a backup pump to a fuel tank, Morgan said. The changes will cost $177,000, $150,000 of which will be paid for through a grant. The remaining $27,000 will be paid for with money from the city's Capital Improvements Program fund.

Removing the old tank was important because it sat on land needed for an access street, Morgan said. The street will help relieve traffic congestion on Airport Drive caused by parents picking up and dropping off children at Jones Elementary School.

The street will be built south of the current one. It will come off Powell Street, wind behind a couple businesses and end in a one-way loop near the entrance to the airport terminal.

Construction of the street will cost $920,981 and will be paid for with grant money. Construction is to begin Monday, said Adam White, project manager with Garver. Work should be finished by Dec. 25.