Increase In Charter Flights Cited By County Board Of Supervisors

The County Board of Supervisors in San Mateo County, CA has voted to introduce two new fees at two airports to help defray the costs of an increase in charter flights.

The new fees will be put in place at San Carlos Airport and Half Moon Bay Airport. Charter companies will be charged a $75 landing fee at both airports. A six-month pilot program to charge a $10 vehicle parking feet at San Carlos Airport will also be put in place. Both fees go into effect immediately, according to a report from the Palo Alto Daily News.

At the end of six months, the board will review the parking fee. It was also considered for Half Moon Airport, but the board determined that there was enough parking on the ramp there to make the fee unnecessary.

The landing fees will be used for airport maintenance as well as additional staffing and expanded hours of operation, according to a county news release. "While the total number of operations has remained steady over the last five years, commuter and charter operations have increased significantly in that same period," the release states.

The  board said that the $75 landing fee is consistent with other airports in the region. The San Carlos Airport Association, the California Pilot Association and the San Carlos Airport's aviation consultants all support the new fee.

The landing and parking fees combined are expected to bring in about $150,000 annually to the county.

FMI: www.smcgov.org