Company Will Pursue Other Legal Avenues In FBO Fight

Even though the FAA dismissed western Colorado flight service JetAway's Part 16 complaint against Montrose Regional Airport in Colorado, JetAway CEO Stephen Stuhmer said his company is "pleased" with the result. The comments came in an e-mail to the Montrose Daily Press.

“We are pleased the FAA has issued its findings because it opens the door to discovery in the federal antitrust case...” Stuhmer wrote in an e-mail received late Thursday. “The FAA decision made clear the issues that will now be decided in the federal court.”

The FAA said Montrose County had not violated the conditions of it's federal grants when it granted rival Black Canyon Jet Center the right to be the sole FBO with rights to sell fuel at Montrose Regional. The ruling came after an intense bidding war, and JetAway was told it could still call its self an FBO, but could not sell fuel. It's land lease was terminated, and JetAway's airport access had been suspended indefinitely after negotiations broke down over its application and fees.

The paper reports JetAway will continue with the anti-trust suit it had filed over the case. The company alleges that Montrose County showed unfair restraint on competition and civil rights violations.  The case had been suspended pending the outcome of the Part 16 investigation.

FMI: www.faa.gov