Regional Airports Invest in Infrastructure
Published Apr 14, 2008
Hondo Municipal Airport is making the move to accommodate more corporate travel by installing self-service fuel pumps.
Hondo Airport needed a little gas to attract the growing market of corporate travelers. Literally.
Airport managers knew if they were going to convince more corporations to fly private jets in and out of the Medina County airport, they needed to install self-service aircraft fuel stations.
“Having an airport without fuel is like having a hotel without beds,” says manager Timothy Fousse. “The object is to make the airport more viable to local pilots and companies that want to locate here.”
Hondo isn’t the only area airport making changes to attract this growing group of airline elite. Regional airports in Fredricksburg and Kerrville are making upgrades to boost traffic, and are among the local airports investing millions to expand runways, build new hangers and offer more accommodations for those passing through.
“A lot of it has to do with the challenges of airline flight and the increased security and delays,” says Dave Fulton, Director of Aviation for the Texas Department of Transportation, which provided funding for many of the upgrades. “Business individuals want to go from Point A to Point B that might not necessarily be served by an airline.”
But travelers aren’t the only ones expected to benefit from the growth.
In Hondo, general aviation tenants and visitors at the airport are responsible for nearly $15.2 million in total economic output, 95 full-time jobs, and $4.1 million in payroll, according to a 2005 Department of Transportation study. Officials expect those numbers to increase as more businesses relocate to Hondo to take advantage of the airport’s five runways.
Kerrville opened a new terminal and parking lot to help travelers get in and out more easily, which officials say will increase access to local motels and shopping.
Gillespie County Airport, which serves the city of Fredericksburg, offers easy access for the area’s growing tourism industry. Airport officials say that’s been boosted with the addition of a new terminal and a longer runway, which allows access to larger jets.
“I think we’re looking to the future and seeing us accommodating more jet traffic,” says Roger Hansen, Airport Manager. “The county is growing, and we know it.”
Story by Jaime Sarrio
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