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Feds keep little -used airports in business
Updated 3d 19h ago I Comments 706 1 Recommend 82 E-mail I Save I Print I Reprints & Permissions I
By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY — — m
j0 Mixx it
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — One of the USA's newest airports has a 5,500-foot lighted runway, a Other way. co snare:
Colonial -style terminal with white columns, and hundreds of acres for growth. But Kentucky's Yahoo! Buzz
Williamsburg -Whitey County Airport lacks one feature: airline passengers. Digg
Built using$11 million in federal money, the airport is used only b Newsvine
y rp y y private airplanes. Many are
piston -engine aircraft owned by residents such as Keith Brashear, the airport board chairman Reddit
who keeps his two -seat Cessna in the airport hangar. On a typical day, the airport has just two
Facebook
or three flights, manager Jessica Roberts says. Some days, there are none.
What's this?
INTERACTIVE MAP: Small airports land big grants
The Williamsburg airport is the result of an obscure federal program that raises billions of dollars a year through
taxes on every airplane ticket sold in the United States. The taxes can add up to 15% to the cost of a flight — or
about $29 to a $200 round-trip ticket.
Federal lawmakers have used some of the money to build and maintain the world's most expansive and expensive
network of airports — 2,834 of them nationwide — with no scheduled passenger flights. Known as general -aviation
airports, they operate separately from the 139 well-known commercial airports that handle almost all passenger
flights.
In the first full accounting of the 28-year-old Airport Improvement Program, USA TODAY found that Congress has
directed $15 billion to general -aviation airports, which typically are tucked on country roads and industrial byways.
Members of Congress say the general -aviation airports can attract development and provide services such as air -
medical transport.
The lawmakers also regularly use general -aviation airports to get around their districts and states, sometimes in
planes with lobbyists. Members of Congress took 2,154 trips on corporate -owned jets from 2001 to 2006,
according to a 2006 study by PoliticalMoneyl-ine, an independent research group.
Critics say the number of subsidized airports with no commercial flights is excessive at a time when larger airports
are struggling to deal with delays in air traffic, and that much of the money the general -aviation airports get benefits
only a few private pilots.
'Congressmen are spending millions building runways at these little airports. That is just a complete waste of
money,' says Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of Mesa Air Group, a regional air carrier. 'There is a huge requirement to
overhaul infrastructure at major airports."
General -aviation airports handle mostly recreational planes and corporate jets — usually just a few each hour. Haft
of the airports are within 20 miles of another private -aviation airport, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The Airport Improvement Program gives money to about 2,000 airports each year for projects such as runway
repairs and noise mitigation. The money goes to all types of airports — general -aviation and commercial —that
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http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-17-little-used-airports—N.htm 9/21/2009
Feds keep little -used airports in business - USATODAY.com
Page 2 of 6
apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for grants
Lawmakers have expanded annual funding by 10 times since 1982, as increasing air travel brought in more money
in ticket taxes. They also have steered growing sums to general -aviation airports by rewriting federal law.
The funding for such airports soared from $470 million in 1999 to $1 billion in 2007 — even as private flying
declined by 19 % during that period. (Even so, the USA has 231,000 private airplanes — more than twice as many
as every other country in the world combined, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.) This
year, the small airports are receiving a record $1.2 billion.
The escalating funding came as commercial hubs faced the worst airline delays ever. A multibillion -dollar plan to
avert gridlock in the skies has been delayed because the U.S. government has spent too little money building a
new system to guide commercial flights, former Federal Aviation administrator Marion Blakey says.
The little -used airports are often in residential areas, drawing fire from neighbors who say they create noise and
pollution while benefiting a small group of airplane owners.
In Carroll County, Md., 35 miles northwest of Baltimore, 1,800 people have signed petitions opposing a proposed
longer runway at the Carroll County Regional Airport that would be designed to handle larger private planes.
Tad Rau, whose house is a quarter -mile from the airport next to a farm, blames the federal program, which would
pay for $70 million of the $74 million runway.
"That's a major reason why the county commissioners want to do this —they really don't have to fund any of the
cost," Rau says.
Other findings:
-General-aviation airports are vastly underused. A USA TODAY analysis of aviation plans in seven states indicates
that more than half of their 312 general -aviation airports operate at less than 10 % capacity. Nearly 90 % operate at
less than one-third of their capacity, well below the rates of larger airports that serve commercial passengers.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, for example, operates at 79% of capacity. Norfolk International, a small
passenger airport in Virginia, is at 64%. The seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia,
Indiana and Virginia — were analyzed because they keep data on airport capacity.
• Three-quarters of general -aviation airports lose money every year and stay solvent only with cash from local
taxpayers, says Vilely Guzhva, a finance professor at Embry -Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.
"An awful lot of them are in very deep financial trouble," airport consultant David Plavin says.
The city of Benson, Ariz., population 5,000, gave its airport $82,000 last year to pay 77% of the operating costs.
The airport, built in the 1990s using $8 million in federal money, sees just 21 planes a day, FAA records show.
That's half the number that city consultant Coffman Associates had projected in 1990.
"There probably will always be a little bit of support from the city," Benson City Manager Glenn Nichols says.
The airport plans to nearly double the length of its runway — using millions of dollars from the federal government
— so it can handle small jets that Coffman said would use a longer runway.
• The U.S. government pays such a large share of capital costs at general -aviation airports — 95%—that a
lawmaker who co -wrote the 2003 law setting that rate now says it's "too high."
"It looks like a 100% grant," says Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, who has proposed a 90% federal share.
"It's free money," says Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "It encourages pie -in -the -sky projects."
• Nearly 2,400 airports have received $10 billion combined in federal dollars while handling fewer than 80 flights a
day, according to FAA flight estimates. Most of the flights carry only a few people. Chicago's O'Hare International
Airport handles that many flights in a half-hour.
"Do we need them all? No. Some of them are expendable," says Roger Moog, chief aviation planner at the
Philadelphia -based Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Travelers foot the bill
The Airport Improvement Program is funded mostly by the nation's airline passengers, who pay a 7.5% sales tax
on each ticket and a $3.60 fee for each flight. The money goes into an FAA fund that pays for airport projects and
the air -traffic -control system.
A business traveler who flies once a week could pay $2,000 a year in such taxes. Private pilots pay taxes on
airplane fuel that cost about $2.87 for a one -hour flight in the average piston -engine plane.
The result: Commercial travelers subsidize many airports they never use, says the Air Transport Association, the
main U.S. airline trade group.
"The passengers who fly on airlines and the airlines are paying for projects at airports where we don't fly,"
association CEO James May says.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-17-little-used-airports—N.htm 9/21/2009
Feds keep little -used airports in business - USATODAY.com
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Meanwhile, local subsidies help private airplane owners avoid costs that commercial airports routinely charge
airlines, such as landing fees and passenger taxes.
Only 2 % to 3 % of general -aviation airports charge planes to land, says Guzhva, the Embry -Riddle professor.
Why not impose such charges? "Nobody would land here if I charged a fee," says Randall Earnest, manager of
Mercer County Airport in West Virginia. "You'd land at an airport that's not charging a fee."
Supporters say non -passenger airports bring growth to small communities and services such as merchandise
deliveries and medical -transport helicopters. The larger airports can help ease congestion at crowded commercial
hubs by giving private planes a separate landing field.
"They're an economic marketing tool for the business community to show that they're accessible," Oberstar says.
But private planes are used far more by recreational pilots than by business fliers, and usually are single -engine
piston aircraft.
FAA records show that 66% of the nation's private airplanes are flown primarily for "personal/recreational" use. An
additional 6% are used for flight instruction. Just 160% are flown primarily for business purposes.
Some non -passenger airports, particularly in the Northeast, occupy valuable land that local officials say would be
better used for development.
In Allentown, Pa., Queen City Airport, used only by private planes, is about 7 miles from Lehigh Valley International
Airport.
"There's no need to have this airport," Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski says of Queen City. Its 200 acres could be
sold for $40 million to generate $500 million in development, $6 million a year in taxes for Allentown schools and
$4 million for the city, Pawlowski says.
The mayor says his efforts to close Queen City are blocked because the airport has received $13 million in federal
funds. The FAA requires airports getting money to remain as airports, usually for 20 years.
"That makes no sense to me," Pawlowski says. "Think about the jobs we could bring in."
Other mayors view a local airports as "a little bit of a status symbol," says Steve McMillin, former deputy director of
the Office of Management and Budget. "The way the demographics of Capitol Hill work out, everybody who's got a
little airport wants to make sure their airport has got a little something."
General -aviation airports sit idle for hours each day across the country.
Some are in remote areas, such as H.A. Clark Memorial Field in northern Arizona. The airport has received $12.6
million in federal cash since 1982 and has averaged eight flights a day, FAA estimates show. That's a subsidy of
$$151 for a flight that usually carries two or three people.
Other little -used general -aviation airports are in suburbs close to similar airfields.
The Midwest National Air Center outside Kansas City has received $14.5 million and handles 33 flights a day.
That's 7% of the number it could handle, according to a 2005 report by the Mid -America Regional Council, a
planning group.
Express lanes
For private pilots, the airport network is a world of ease and tranquility unknown to airline passengers who endure
long trips to airports, costly parking, slow security screening, packed airplanes and delayed flights.
Private fliers often have a choice of nearby airfields that typically offer free parking, have no security screening, no
delays and little congestion.
"The beauty of an airport like Centennial is if it gets crowded, you go cross-town to Metro or to Front Range" to
land, says Robert Olislagers, executive director of Centennial Airport near Denver. Rocky Mountain Metro and
Front Range, two other general -aviation airports, are about 20 miles away.
The ubiquity of airports can be a financial boon for their users.
Airplane owners in Stafford County, Va., got a huge break in April. The county eliminated its tax on airplanes. That
was done to match the policy in place at nearby Leesburg Executive and Manassas Regional airports.
The 29 people with small airplanes at the Stafford Regional Airport will see an average tax break of $$655 a year,
airport manager Ed Wallis says.
The main beneficiaries, Wallis says, will be owners of expensive jets that he hopes to draw by exempting them
from taxes of $$180,000 a year in the case of a Gulfstream V. That break will lure business, Wallis says.
Stafford Economic Development Authority member David Beiler calls the tax break "a wealthy, powerful special -
interest group getting what it wants." Stafford County this year increased the tax rate on automobiles by 25%.
"It's ridiculous that someone with a car that's 10 or 20 years old should be paying more tax than someone with a $ 1
million airplane," says Stafford Supervisor Joe Brito, who opposed the tax cut.
The measure passed on a 5-2 vote
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Fels keep little -used airports in business - USATODAY.com Page 4 of 6
Contributing: Brad Heath and Paul Overberg
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Comments: (706) Showing: Newest first Ne;e: Most recommended!
?r,,? russ32768 (0 friends, send message) wrote: t n ?8m ace
This is obviously a very biased story. It would only help the airlines if GA was shut down, and would
put the 1.3 million people that work in general aviation on unemployment.
( Any fair story could get better facts from wikipedia. http://en.vviWpedia.org/wiki/General aviation
Recommend 1 1 Reporr Abuse
Fisherlee (0 friends, send message) wrote: 211 11 in,, ago
What do you expect of USA Today? They've been a liberal mouthpiece since their inception. This
F article is simply another liberal tirade against capitalism and freedom. GA, as CORRECTLY pointed
w out by AOPA, doesn't get the lion's share of federal funding, the few major airports do ($742K per GA
airport, $5.5M for major airports). BTW, USA Today enjoys the benefits of GA, with their ownership of
an expensive private jet and a helicopter (the vast majority of us GA pilots don't own such things.
jetcail (0 friends, send message) wrote: 2n 32rn ago
R An impressive piece by Mr. Frank.
Interesting choice of sources:
— Airline people with a vested interested in their industry
A mayor interested in taking the land for development (Taxes)
Among others.
Superb job Mr. Frank!
Recommend 11 Repor- Abase
Recommend i `?epon Abuse
``v' Ken in NV (0 friends, send message) wrote: i5h Iam ago
Are you a pilot, aircraft owner, or member of the GA community? Do you have stories to tell about
how GA has made your life better, or even saved your life or business? Visit www.save-ga.org for
information and links to the TRUTH about GA. If you'd like to help email action@save-ga.org
Recommend 11 Reloor,..;buse
Ken in NV (0 friends, send message) wrote: i 5n i9m ago
Are you a pilot, aircraft owner or
Recommend I Repon At—,
Ken in NV (0 friends, send message) wrote: i5h 20m ago
Mal IN
http://www.usatoday.comltravel/flightsl2009-09-17-little-used-airports_N.htm 9/21/2009
Feds keep little -used airports in business - USATODAY.com
Page 5 of 6
To correct the comments of backyardairport, posted below:
"One rich businessman and a select few others have their own airport in Cleveland Tn. now..."
The airport you are referring to is Hardwick Field, which is a PUBLIC airport, not a private airport as
you imply.
http://www.fitplan.com/Airportinformation/KHDI.h tm
Additionally, the City of Cleveland is the county seat of Bradley County, Tennessee, located in the
extreme southeastern corner of the state. Cleveland is located 28 miles northeast of Chattanooga, 82
miles southwest of Knoxville, 124 miles north of Atlanta, 172 miles north of Birmingham, and 181
miles southeast of Nashville. It is located on Interstate 75, US Highways 11 and 64, and State Routes
60, 74, 40 and 2. The City has a highly diversified economy, having the sixth largest number of
manufacturing companies of any community in the state, and being a regional shopping destination
and health care provider for surrounding counties in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Among
the major private -sector employers in the area are: Arch Chemicals, Inc., Bowater Newsprint -
Calhoun Operations, Brown Stove Works, Charleston Hosiery, Cleveland Chair Co., Duracell USA,
Hardwick Clothes, Jackson Manufacturing, Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Master Foods,
Whirlpool, Newlywed Foods, Olin Corporation, Peyton's Southeastern, President Baking,
Rubbermaid, Schering Plough, and United Knitting. These companies supply needed jobs to the local
community and use the airport to transport goods and people into and out of the town in the
furtherance of business. If you would perfer not to have an airport I am sure they would be willing to
relocate to a city that does.
Recommend 31 Rlport Abase
t george632 (0 friends, send message) wrote: ? Sh sir .r90
r The press is totally misinformed. they don't understand how general aviation effects them. what
happens when you need to be medivaced? No its ok just drive an hour and mak your injury more
serious. General Aviation pays takes too you know! what would happen if we just made other peoples
hobbies impossible? Nxt time you want to do a story like this actually put some thought into it
because this is rediculous
Reconrmeno 41 „e: (r:1r: Abas,
? r backyardairport (0 friends, send message) wrote: 16h 53m ago
s This reporter is right on point, we have a perfect example of what you wrote about here in Cleveland
Tn, One rich businessman and a select few others have their own airport in Cleveland Tn. now, but
the runway is not long enough for their jets so with state and taxpayer money a new longer airport is
to be built within a few miles of the existing airport right next to our existing homes but far enough
from their homes so that the noise won't affect them. Some of our homes will be less than a stone
throw away from the runway. Our highly influenced politicians can't rush this airport in fast enough
even though the locals who live in the affected area are against the new airport. Spending our money
and affecting our homes for these select few is WRONG, let them pay for their own airport and place
it in their backyard. I hope some reporter who is not afraid to tell the truth will expose this injustice for
what it is.
Recommend I Report ANLS-
a comancherelot (0 friends, send message) wrote: 1 ah 39:n ago
I agree - lets close all the airports serving all those rich people,
g it
They may be some consequences however. first off, the aircraft which support fire supression in
California and the west are general aviation airports. So, more acres and more homes bum because
these aircraft fly further.
All flights must depart from airline service airports - that might just add to the delays as the next
generation of pilots trains at airports amidst the 737's and airline jets. You don't mind sitting at the end
of hte runway for that 100mph Cessna to land, do you?
Anyone need an organ transplant or medevac flight? These usually land at general aviation airports
because they are faster and easier to get in and our of. You don't REALLY need that kidney or heart
fast, do you? It can wait its turn at the large airline airports that are over scheduled and busy.
Air freight. Hey - its ok that all the air freight ALSO goes into airline service airports? Right? Dozens
and dozens of more flights into airline airports. Oh, you don't have an airline airport near you? Well,
then you can't get parts, checks, tickets or anything else overnight since if you are a 3 hour drive from
an airline airport then too bad. Its too far to run trucks back and forth economically.
Does ANYONE understand that ALL this is class warfare? As usual the press creates a hit piece on
someone or some industry with ZERO effort to explain the consequences of their'oh how horrible this
all is for the average person, someone else is getting something you don't have' journalism.
The press, over and over again, continues to display that, like police, there is an intelligence range for
their profession.. .
Recommend 7' RF_pwt Abuse
bliddel (1 friends, send message) wrote: 1 d 2h ago
Since Thomas Frank obviously believes that general aviation has no redeeming qualities whatsoever,
then why does USA Today have its own DASSAULT AVIATION Falcon Jet and a AEROSPATIALE
fw DAUPHIN jet helicopter? See http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum-Res ults.aspx?
NNumberbd=200GN and http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Res ults.aspx?
NNumbertxt=600GN . I'm pretty sure these aircraft do not carry ANY commercial passengers. Maybe
we should stop subsidizing the air traffic control system that keeps other, presumably "less important"
aircraft out of the way of these apparently arrogant hypocritical environmentally -insensitive busibodies
at Gannett!
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-17-little-used-airports_N.htm 9/21/2009
peds keep little -used airports in business - USATODAY.com
Page 6 of 6
And, since USA Today is so in touch with making the lives of Americans better, why did they
purchase aircraft made in foreign countries? Was it to keep Americans from having jobs?
The next time your commercial flight is delayed, just remember how important it is that Gannet Jets
but in front of the line at your favorite commercial airport, when they could, if they just would, operate
at the very airports they want to destroy.
I'm positively outraged that my federal highway taxes subsidize the road out in front of USA Today,
because I won't ever drive on it! Do you not realize that there is not even one Trailways or Continental
bus stop in front of Gannett? No passenger service whatsoever! How dare they waste our tax dollars
this way? End this gross injustice by tearing up the roads surrounding USA Today right now!
In one sentence Frank whines about federal tax dollars going to airport improvements, and then in
another sentence he complains about local tax dollars. Well, which is it? Oh, I see, Frank just has a
bitter hatred of non-commercial aviation, because he doesn't understand it. Fine, Frank, you have the
right to be ignorant, but please don't try to make this resemble a news story.
Frank writes "The Airport Improvement Program is funded mostly by the nation's airline passengers,
who pay a 7.5 % sales tax on each ticket and a $3.60 fee for each flight." This is a blatant out and out
lie. See http://opencrs.com/document/R40608/.
It is precisely irresponsible hate -mongering like Frank's which could someday bring about an end to
the first amendment to the US Constitution.
Recommend 81 rieport Abuse
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