Bizav Calls for Clarity, Fairness at Dallas Love Field

While a new Dallas city ordinance calling for general aviation landing fees at Dallas Love Field (DAL) takes effect July 1, airport and city officials have indicated a willingness to examine the fees to provide more clarity before implementing them. As a result, the timing of their implementation is still unclear.

City documents have indicated that the fees could be as much as $5.80 per 1,000 pounds in the first year, more than double the $2.20 per 1,000 pounds commercial carriers currently pay.

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Following meetings with airport officials, the Love Field Pilots Association, which includes some general aviation operators and businesses at the airport, wrote officials in late May, expressing concern about the fees as originally outlined. The association said there is still confusion on the applicability to based and transient operators. The letter also stressed the need for more transparency in the development of the fees, saying that at first glance the formula appears “flawed and unfair” to the general aviation community.

The letter further expressed concern that while the city maintains the fees have been publicly vetted, discussions leading up to their approval in April have appeared to include other parties, among them commercial carriers, yet not the general aviation community itself.

The city cited increasing costs for keeping up with traffic and maintenance needs in its decision to approve the fee. But airport officials also stressed that they want to ensure that general aviation pays its “fair share.”