California Airport Seeks To Add Second FBO

California’s Napa County Airport has issued an RFP for a second service provider, as it looks to increase business at the dedicated general aviation gateway. Currently, Lynx, which purchased the Napa Jet Center last year, is the sole FBO there. The facility pumped 2.25 million gallons of fuel and handled more than 50,000 operations last year, according to Elizabeth Habkirk, the county’s deputy director of public works.

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The RFP is for a 10-acre leasehold next to the existing FBO, with an initial 30-year term, plus two five-year options. Habkirk told BJT the proposal comes with a minimum capital investment requirement of $34,000 per acre per year, for an approximately $10 million outlay, and prospective operators should come to the table with ideas on how they expect to attract more customers.

“We recognize the airport as an important ‘front-door’ to the Napa Valley and look forward to the opportunity to grow business at the airport to benefit the entire community,” said county board of supervisors chair Ryan Gregory.

The wine-country airport will host a voluntary tour on September 25 for interested parties, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference on November 13 for those looking to issue a proposal, which is due by March 27. The airport is undergoing an environmental impact review for the new facility, which is expected to be completed by October 2022.