City will not renew Oneonta airport service contract

Dec. 08--ONEONTA -- The city is not renewing its contract with Clipper Aviation for services at the Oneonta Municipal Airport.

The contract, worth $51,000 annually will expire at the end of the year and the airport will become self-operating, according to Mayor Dick Miller.

The expenditure was not included in the city budget adopted by the Common Council on Tuesday and Miller said the contract was allowed to expire because of financial concerns.

"The taxpayers of Oneonta have borne the cost of a regional airport," Miller said Wednesday.

The city-owned airport will become self-operating Jan. 1 and Miller said this was a model scene at other regional airports.

"It's what the trend is. We are very much in the mainstream with this approach," Miller said.

Miller said nothing will change about the ability of planes to fly into and out of the airport.

Clipper Aviation moved planes around, serviced and fueled planes and assisted flyers. Airplane take-off and landings are done through an automated system, fuel pumps take credit cards and hangar space will still be rented, the mayor said.

Closing the airport entirely is not under consideration, and the city is bound by the terms of Federal Aviation Administration grant funding to keep the airport open.

But several people associated with Clipper Aviation or who use the airport criticized the end of the contract and said it would have an economic impact on the area.

Dr. Ronald De Thomas, a tenant at the airport, said the airport is a regional asset and with no aviation service providing support, the facility would suffer.

"This is an ill-conceived plan," De Thomas said.

Brian Curpier, owner of Clipper Aviation, said not having an operator at the airport will make it a less attractive place for flyers and they will eventually stop landing there.

"It's not about me. I'm fine. It's not a huge money-making thing up there (for Clipper Aviation)," Curpier said.

But the airport needs full-time management, he said.

"We have a very nice airport. It needs some tender loving care," Curpier said.

Miller said that although the newly adopted 2012 budget does not include money for a contact with Clipper Aviation or any other manager, discussions of airport operations and its future could continue.

"All options for the airport remain open," Miller said Tuesday night.

Eighth Ward Alderman Kevin Hodne said he would like to see Otsego County involved on some level.

"We are a little city in a big county and it's a lot to carry," Hodne said. "I see the value of the airport. There is no doubt about it."

Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Lynch said he would be addressing the issue at the Monday meeting of the Facilities/Technology/Operations Committee and advised those who use the airport and who may have concerns to attend.

Copyright 2011 - The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y.