The new costs associated with the use of equipment have been incorporated into the snow removal policy of the Aberdeen Regional Airport.
These costs were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Aberdeen Regional Airport Committee on Thursday.
If an employee must return and perform additional work after the snow removal work is completed, a fee will now be charged. For example, Transportation Supervisor Rich Krokel said that if the aircraft was parked on the tarmac during the initial snow removal, additional snow removal may be required after the aircraft moves.
The Aberdeen City Council approved the new fees in its 2022 fee schedule.
Use MB-5 multi-function snow blower for $200 per hour, MB-4 snow blower for $150 per hour, $2.50 per pound of solid deicer, $18 per gallon for liquid deicer, and $80 per gallon. Tons of sand. At least one hour will be charged for using MB-5 or MB-4.
When reviewing the policy, at least one person asked who would be charged if the pilot stopped at one of the fixed base operators-Quest or Aberdeen Flying Service-but did not seek services from that company.
Crocker said the company will charge a fee and encourage Quest and Aberdeen Flight Services to make pilots aware of the new policy.
Both Quest and Aberdeen Flying Service's lease agreements were approved at the meeting. Both are 20-year lease agreements with the same duration as the previous contract.
City Attorney Ron Wager said that the agreement includes a 5% increase in rents in 2022, which is equivalent to an increase of $413 for Aberdeen Flying Service and $343 for Quest Aviation.
The agreement will also increase by 2% annually starting in 2023.
The lease amount is calculated based on square feet. Floor space costs 5.7 cents per square foot, office and store buildings cost 19.1 cents per square foot, and cold storage space costs 11.2 cents per square foot. Lease prices for Quest start at $7,223 per year. Aberdeen Flying Service pays $8,687 per year.
Wager said the new lease agreement also includes an increase in fuel flow rates from 3 cents per gallon to 4 cents.
Crocker said the U.S. Department of Transportation has received several letters supporting Sky West's Essential Air Service bid.
Sky West is currently Aberdeen's commercial aviation service provider, offering two flights to Minneapolis every day.
Although Sky West’s bid is low, it will take some time to solicit public opinion and go through several review steps before making a grant decision.
Crocker said he expects to make a decision after the beginning of this year.