Avflight Had Offered $4 Million For A Modern Terminal And Hangars

The City of Detroit recently declined an offer from FBO Avflight to invest $4 million in a modern terminal and new hangars at Coleman Y. Young airport, also known as Detroit City Airport (KDET).

Avflight currently has a presence on the field. The Detroit Free Press reports that, according to airport advocates, the city is allowing a valuable asset to deteriorate. The fire department station at the airport has not been staffed in years, according to the report, which prevents business aircraft from using the field due to insurance concerns. The city has also not applied for any AIP grants that could fund runway repairs and other upgrades. There is little or no marketing of the airfield, and no stand-alone website.

Mayor Mike Duggan's administration has reportedly floated the idea that KDET could be permanently closed. Ann Arbor-based Avflight president Carl Muhs said that he offered to spend $4 million on a terminal and hangars at the airport in exchange for a mulit-year lease. The city declined the offer. It has not entertained multi-year tenant leases for several years. Muhs said that airport officials told him that the status of the airport is unsure, and pulled out of negotiations for a long-term lease with the company.

Mayor Duggan has been eyeing the airport's 264 acres for a potential industrial park, which he says would bring many more jobs to the areal. Until decisions as to the fate of the airport are finalized, the Duggan administration says that deals like a long-term lease with Avflight "made no sense."

FAA data shows that operations at the airport declined from 45,233 in 2014 to 37,264 in 2017. The city says the airport loses about $1 million per year, according to the report.

FMI: Original report