TEB Versus AOPA

The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, one of the stronger aviation lobbying groups if for no other reasons than its numbers and grass roots orientation, is up in arms about user fee increases that go into effect January 1 at Teterboro (NJ) Airport. (One can stand on a ramp at TEB and enjoy the vista of the New York skyline -- it's that close.) The complaint, per AOPA, is that small aircraft are being disproportionately charged in the new fee structure. Perhaps. However, with the new reality of business aviation dominating interests at various bizav airports around the country, it's not an unexpected development. At Teterboro, an aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds will see its landing fee go from $15 to $22.50 overnight. Alas. An aircraft owner who flies his aircraft into TEB does so, generally, because of its logistics to the city. This is probably worth an extra $7.50 for the light aircraft owner. This is economics, particularly in the 21st century business aviation age. Airports such as Teterboro are going to find themselves leveraging their capacity business jets versus mainstream general aviation. Bizav will, and should, win every time. And, with the pending onset of very light jets, which could include air taxis targeting airports such as TEB, the dynamic may grow. The rights of GA flyers should be protected. At the same time, the realities of the marketplace need to be respected, or at least recognized. The industry continues to evolve. Just as certain airports have evolved into airline-only airports for the most part, some airports will become business centers. It's a good thing. At TEB, the airport says the rate increases are necessary because of increased operating, capital, and safety improvement expenditures at the airport. Thanks for reading.