Thank you to all our amazing tenants and customers for making 2018 a great year for San Marcos Regional Airport.
We continue to see significant growth and activity and look forward to planning for the future as we work through the Airport Master Plan.
Read on for more information and a brief recap of some things you may have missed last year.
BERRY AVIATION EXPANSION
In April, Berry Aviation broke ground on a new 31,000+ square foot facility after executing a 40-year land lease with the City. The approximately $3.2M investment will allow Berry to better accommodate their growing airline fleet and staff. The facility will house Berry's maintenance and supply-chain headquarters, machine shop, non-destructive testing lab, state-of-the-art parts retrieval system, and more than 10,000 square feet of office space. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2019.
MASTER PLAN
In October, Garver was selected as the consultant for the airport's Master Plan Update. The plan, which was last updated in 2001, will look at long-term airport use, anticipated projects, and funding needs over the next 5-10 years. To assist Garver and airport management in the creation of the plan, a Master Plan Advisory Committee and a Stakeholder Committee will meet regularly through the one-year process. Additionally, regular updates will be provided at the Airport Advisory Board meetings and "open houses" will be scheduled for anyone in the community interested in the future of the airport.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
According to a Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study commissioned by the Texas Department of Transportation's Aviation Division, the contribution to the local economy from San Marcos Regional Airport has increased dramatically over the past eight years (when the last study was completed). Compared to figures released in 2010, San Marcos Regional total economic output has increased from $44.9M to $82.1M - an 82% increase. Additionally, the study found that out of the 264 non-commercial service airports in Texas, San Marcos ranks 16th for economic output. More information about the study can be found on our website.
TRAFFIC COUNTS
As operations leveled out for Coast Flight, we saw a slight decrease in operations for calendar year 2018. Although total operations during tower operating hours decreased by 11%, takeoffs and landings are still 35% higher than 2016.
AIRPORT REVENUE
Echoing the Economic Impact Study completed by TxDOT Aviation, airport revenue has seen a steady increase over the same eight-year period. Between FY 2010 and FY 2018, airport revenues have increased 209% ($195,367 to $604,034) while operating expenses have only increased 63%.
CORY MORROW'S GO WHEELS UP! TEXAS
In November, the City executed an agreement with Go Wheels Up Texas, LLC for the purpose of hosting an airshow, car show, food festival, and music festival in May of each year from 2019 to 2023 at the airport. The inaugural event is scheduled to take place on May 3-5, 2019 with Bret Michaels headlining the concert and Kirby Chambliss and the Red Bull Air Force headlining the airshow. To purchase tickets and to learn more, visit gowheelsup.live.
TAXIWAY ALPHA & CHARLIE REPAIRS
In March, Congress passed the 2018 Consolidated Appropriates Act (also known as the Omnibus Bill) which included an additional $1B for airport infrastructure improvements at airports around the country. The funding was meant to primarily focus on general aviation airports and small or nonhub commercial service airports. San Marcos Regional submitted a proposal for the reconstruction of Taxiways Alpha and Charlie during the second round of grant requests (based on our proximity to Austin and San Antonio, we were ineligible to submit during the first round). While we await a response from the Federal Aviation Administration, the City has hired an engineering firm to design the project so that it can go to construction quickly should we receive the grant.
AIRPORT DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS
The City's Transportation Department made improvements to Airport Drive near the Berry Aviation FBO to help ease safety concerns for the area. Restriping of all of Airport Drive is anticipated to occur in February.
ELECTRIC SERVICE UPGRADES
PEC completed the installation of a loop along Highway 21 in an effort to reduce power outages and interruptions to the airport. The backup feed should mean fewer surges and interruptions to all our tenants.
AIRPORT WEBSITE
In April, we launched a standalone website for the airport to keep tenants and users up-to-date on current events and to provide information regarding development and leasing to prospective clients interested in the greater San Marcos Region. Since the launch, we have seen the monthly user count more than double (from 364 in April 2018 to nearly 900 in January 2019). All told, we've had nearly 7,000 unique visitors from every continent (except Antarctica, unfortunately).
Council approved changing the fuel flowage fee for FBOs from 4% of the total cost of fuel delivered to $0.09 per gallon of fuel delivered. The flat fee is more consistent with other airports in Texas, helps FBOs more accurately predict future costs, and allows them to be more competitive with nearby airports.
REPAIRS TO CITY-OWNED FACILITIES
Airport Management began much-needed repairs to some City-owned facilities, including the T-hangars and T-shelters. We've had crews inspect and repair electric outlets, overhead lighting, and make repairs to the doors and tracks so they glide much smoother and open easier. Additionally, netting is being added to the T-shelters to prevent birds from nesting in the rafters, causing damage to aircraft below.
AIR FORCE LETTER OF AGREEMENT
In March, the airport and Air Traffic Control Tower executed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Air Force for practice operations. The purpose of the LOA is to allow the Air Force to land and refuel, adding to our overall traffic count and increasing airport revenue. Practice operations include engine "flame out" simulation along with general pattern work.
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