FAA Responds to Mayor About Closing Midland Airpark

June 15, 2021

Jun. 15—The Federal Aviation Administration stated the city of Midland could be required to pay "a large portion" of $5.3 million in FAA and Texas Department of Transportation grants as part of any closure of Midland Airpark.

The FAA responded to Mayor Patrick Payton's letter about relocating Midland Airpark operations to Midland International Airport. In the FAA's response, it states the city requested guidance and requirements on the consolidation of airport operations and the closure of Midland Airpark.

"Should the city decide to move forward, a formal closure package with cover letter, answers to the questions included in Attachment A of this letter, along with any relevant supporting documentation will need to be submitted to the Texas Airports District Office for review," the FAA stated in its letter. "Once TxDOT, TxADO and Southwest Region Airports Division have completed their review and all requirements are deemed satisfactory, the closure package will be forwarded to FAA headquarters for a final determination."

The letter then states the FAA is reviewing previous grants issued to Midland Airpark from both FAA and TXDOT totaling approximately $5.3 million.

The questionnaire referenced in the letter lists 26 questions, including:

* How will this action benefit civil aviation?

* If there are active tenants, what is the plan for relocation?

* Indicating the city's plan to solicit public comment and feedback regarding the MDD closure and tenant relocation process. This plan should, at a minimum, include the tenants at both MDD and MAF.

* What revenues are expected from this proposed action? Describe the plan and proposed timeline for the use of the revenues or proceeds.

* According to 2018 data, in the event MDD closes and tenants relocate to MAF, the increase in air traffic operations will be 41,000 operations per year. What is the impact to air traffic control related to the increased operations? How were these impacts assessed?

* According to 2018 data, there are 56 aircraft housed on MDD. How many hangars are currently on MDD? What size are the hangars? Does MDD have a waiting list for hangars? Is the intent of the closure and subsequent tenant relocation going to result in a one for one hangar move? Does the plan include a move for all existing hangars or just the hangars currently occupied? Will the relocated tenants from MDD be displaced without hangars during the transition to MAF?

Questions also referenced fair market value for highest and best use of the property and/or facilities, fiscal implications related to the closure and relocation, expectations of FAA financial support, plans for the city's use of mineral rights in the event the FAA authorizes the airport closure and a timeframe for relocation.

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