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Public input sought on landing fees at Republic airport Some civic leaders are asking the public to comment on a proposal by Republic Airport to set new landing fees, saying the changes, while increasing the current rates, will still provide larger planes access to Republic at fees that are still well below those of other area airports. "What this will do is encourage larger planes to land at Republic, which Republic officials have maintained is not their intention," said Helen Norjen of the Farmingdale Civic Association. "If, in fact, they are looking to adhere to the 60,000 pound weight limit, as they have maintained they are, then they should not be offering these bargains to larger planes." Michael Geiger, Republic Airport Director, countered, however, that the changes raise fees significantly from the current 40-cents per 1,000 pounds which has been in place at Republic for all aircraft since the 1990s. And, he added, that while the new fees may be lower than some airports in the area, they are in line with, and even higher than similar airports to Republic. The proposed changes would increase landing fees to 50-cents per 1,000 pounds of aircraft for the first 12,500 pounds and $1 for each 1,000 pounds above 12,500 pounds up to 70,000 pounds. Then a fee of $2 will be charged for each 1,000 pounds above 70,000 pounds. At Teterboro airport, the cost is $3.15 per 1,000 pounds for each takeoff exceeding 12,500 pounds but not exceeding 80,000 pounds and a cost of $5.85 per 1,000 pounds for aircraft exceeding 80,000 pounds. At JFK Airport, the charge for each aircraft is $5.35 per 1,000 pounds with a minimum charge of $25. West Hempstead Airport charges $200 for its larger aircraft and Westchester airport charges between $50 and $75. Both are similar to Republic, said Geiger. "Right now we get very few larger plans landing at Republic at 40-cents (per 1,000 pounds), said Geiger. "So I don't see how raising it to $2 is not a disincentive." If implemented, the new fees will bring the total charges for the larger planes at Republic to between $200 and $300. "This is something we are doing to adjust our fees based on inflation and the cost of doing business," said Geiger. Wally D'Amato, a spokesman for the Nassau Shores Civic Association in Massapequa, said that he has no concern over the proposed landing fee schedule. "If it is designed to bring in more revenue, that's fine," he said. "If it results in us seeing larger and more planes coming in over our homes, then they we will be at their (Republic's) door step protesting and screaming." Republic is not required to hold public hearings on the issue and is expected to approve the changes in the fall. In the meantime, the public can make comment on it by writing to Michael Geiger, Department of Transportation, 7150 Republic Airport, room 216, East Farmingdale, NY 11735-3930. All comments must be received by September 22, 2007. In related matters, the airport has approved the relocation of Taxiway Bravo at the airport, a project that airport officials said was required to ensure safety at the airport. The issue has been the subject of much public debate over the past two years. In a letter to Geiger, Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone said that the project underscores, yet again, "the critical need for careful and comprehensive planning to ensure that safety concerns remain paramount as the airport successfully adapts to better serve all interests. "It is my belief that design and construction changes at the Airport should not be made on a piecemeal basis," said Bellone. "It seems to me that the very nature of the aviation business and the Airport's evolution mandate- almost more than any other land use- that a Master Plan be pursued and understood by all parties so that the changes ...are not done in isolation of each other." Geiger said this week that attempts over the past decade to complete a Master Plan have been for naught, and that it is time that the airport look at other alternatives in an effort to reach the goal of a Master Plan- providing both the airport and the public with an understanding of what the airports future and direction will be. "Our efforts in developing a Master Plan have gotten us nowhere," said Geiger. "So we are looking at different ways of coming together, certainly with some type of a vision plan is one way." In addition, he said that the airport is also considering hiring a firm that would facilitate a dialogue and understanding between the airport and its host community. "And when can we expect that?" asked Bellone. "We had a meeting on this months ago and nothing has changed. We continue to see plans for new projects proposed without a full environmental review and comprehensive plan." Despite that, Bellone said he is open to an alternative plan, providing it meets certain criteria. "We will support a meaningful process that provides input for residents and concrete assurances that we will know how this airport will be developed in the future," he said. "As long as it contains that criteria, we don't care what they (Republic officials) call it." D'Amato said that his organization has already seen a change in the way in which the airport is treating the community. "It has been apparent that they are making efforts to let the community know what is going on," he said. "I commend them for that." | |||||
