The Peachtree

City Airport Authority is revising the fees it charges to businesses both

on and off airport property for the right to use Falcon Field.

Previously,

the authority charged businesses 2 percent of the business's gross profits.

The authority was also allowed to check the businesses' records to insure

the airport was being compensated appropriately.

Local aviation

businessmen claim that practice has kept businesses from locating at or

near the airport. At a special called meeting Thursday afternoon, the

Airport Authority voted to drop that fee structure.

The move was

met by applause from several business owners on hand who gave their input

to the authority during the meeting.

To replace

the commercial fee structure, the authority adopted a policy calling for

the off-airport access fees (also called through the fence agreements)

to be based on the square footage of the businesses' hangars and apron

area. The fee was set at 20 cents per square foot, but it will be adjusted

to the Consumer Price Index every three years.

The authority

also agreed to throw out the 2 percent gross profit fee for on-airport

businesses, although it declined to immediately set a new fee structure.

Indications

were that the on-airport fee would likely be different for certain hangar

areas, with a higher rate at hangars designed for commercial use. That

way, the authority can differentiate between commercial businesses and

private owners who rent out hangar space for aircraft storage at a much

smaller profit.

Airport Manager

Jim Savage said the increased price for commercial hangars would likely

be at Hangar Area B, which is near completion. The fees would be set largely

based upon the costs of the airport to improve the property and prepare

it for hangars and other free-standing buildings, he said.

Current businesses

that are leasing land on the airport from the authority, will be allowed

to sign up for the new fee structure once the authority settles on a concrete

number.

Authority Chairwoman

Catherine Nelmes said the on-airport fee would be "appropriate and

competitive," but she noted that there are no other airports in Georgia

similar to Falcon Field which are so close to Hartsfield International

Airport.

Authority member

Jerry Cobb said the fees are designed not so the authority can turn a

profit on the airport operations. The fees are used to help make Falcon

Field self-sufficient and less dependent on the city for funding, he said.

Officials hope

the new fees will attract more aviation-related business to the airport

area, which in turn will help keep the airport's finances in good shape.

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