Last minute efforts pay off for Florida FBOs

An amendment to a Florida bill that would have required the state to set fuel prices at airports with just one FBO has been withdrawn after intense lobbying by Florida aviation interests.

The amendment to SB 1500 was withdrawn during a Transportation Committee hearing, according to Paula Raeburn, executive director of the Florida Aviation Trades Association. Raeburn and Barry Bratton, airport director for Page Field in Ft. Myers, testified before the committee. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) also weighed in, sending comments to committee members.

Arguments were presented against the amendment, which not only would have required the State Aviation Office to set the cost of fuel at airports with only one FBO, but also ban ramp fees if an aircraft is there less than 90 minutes.

“Now that it has been withdrawn, this fight is over for this session,” Raeburn said.

For more information: FATA.aero