Ever Since Austin-Bergstrom Opened in 1999 ...

... general aviation groups have been clamoring for cheaper, broader access. A former U.S. Air Force base, Austin-Bergstrom replaced Robert Mueller Airport as the city’s aviation gateway. When ABIA opened, Mueller was closed. To heighten the impact on GA, the Austin Executive Airport to the north of the city was gobbled up by Dell – at virtually the same time. Since then, initiatives to build a new GA reliever near downtown Austin have been quelled by various neighborhood groups. This week the Austin Airport Advisory Commission’s GA Subcommittee met to further examine how it might address the concerns of owners of light aircraft. Jay Carpenter of the Texas Aviation Association (TAA), formed by frustrated pilots after Mueller’s closure, says that what ABIA needs is more FBO competition to bring prices down and afford more light aircraft access. The competition card may be at best questionable – Austin-Bergstrom, built for $800 million, is a thoroughly modern facility with associated costs. It has two FBOs, Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation, which provide top-level facilities. It is interesting that ABIA has no avionics or maintenance services to speak of, which is another complaint of GA groups. TAA charges that the city, the airport sponsor, intentionally keeps its rates and charges high to discourage smaller companies to become tenants. It is curious, considering that Austin is one of the tech capitals of the U.S. (It should be noted that while both NBAA and AOPA were on the printed agenda, neither was present.) Dan Sullivan of the Austin Chamber of Commerce supports more GA access and another GA airport. He says it’s good for business. He cited a recent study of tech personnel, in high demand here, that showed that the key need in the region’s workforce is for middle level management. Many of these professionals have to be “imported,†he says. Sullivan points out that these are the same people who are likely to own aircraft or use GA. In fact, he says that they cite ABIA’s limited GA footprint as a negative when considering to relocate. Enter Ron Henriksen, a 61-year old investor who in the past year opened a private airport, Houston Executive, some 30 miles west of the city. He recently bought the rundown Bird’s Nest Airport, just northeast of Austin, and some 183 acres to offer GA a private alternative. He says he plans to do in Austin what he is already doing in Houston. Whether or not the City of Austin moves to better accommodate general aviation remains a question. In the meantime, Ron Henriksen may be a leader in what could become a trend – private developers building strong GA relievers. With the state of business aviation being what it is today, it’s becoming a more and more reasonable proposition. Thanks for reading. jfi