In response to recent discussions regarding FBO pricing and fees at grant recipient airports, the FAA last week issued a document detailing its position on the matter, as a “basis for discussion between the airport sponsor, the FBO, and aeronautical users on the issue of reasonable access, without unjust discrimination at federally obligated public-use airports.”
With the exception of safety issues, the FAA does not regulate FBOs or approve their leases, the document notes. If it receives a complaint, the agency might review a lease to determine if it is consistent with the airport sponsor’s federal obligations, though the FAA encourages direct communication between users, sponsors, and FBOs before involving the agency.
Airports should be prepared to consider claims of unreasonable and discriminatory service and pricing by FBOs, said the FAA. But the agency cautions airport sponsors that they should weigh costs and demands imposed on tenant FBOs regarding services and infrastructure development, when evaluating the FBOs' fuel pricing and the fees they charge end users. The document states that airport sponsors should also be transparent in how they develop user fees and what they are meant to recover in operating costs. If such fees are publicly disclosed, the agency believes that can help airport sponsors address FBO pricing concerns.
