Legal Brief Claims Price Gouging At Jackson Hole Airport

At :43 seconds into the above video you will see the hosts of AOPA LIVE mention the airport at Jackson Hole Wyoming.

Often private pilots flying cross country have no choice but to land at small airports to refuel and move on. The get their services from what they call an FBO.

A fixed-base operator (FBO) is run by a company that is granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance.

According to a legal brief filed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) local, small, airports around the country take advantage of private pilots by charging them excessive fuel and parking prices.

That is why AOPA is filing its first in a series of legal briefs against what they see as the worst offenders in the nation. The first has been filed against the airport at Jackson Hole Wyoming. 

Recently a pilot reported that avgas (aviation gas) at Jackson Hole airport was $6.69 a gallon. An AOPA member recently reported a $260.00 fee for what is called a "quick turn" which is basically a full-service stop with fuel, inspection, and cleaning.

Ken Mead of AOPA has filed a legal brief cited close to $90 million in subsidies over the years that Jackson Hole has received The idea is that with all that money local prices should not be so high.

What AOPA is looking for is competition. Right now only one FBO operates at Jackson Hole and the local airport authority is not allowing any competition in. Competition, they say, will force prices down.

Mr. Mead says that "Jackson Hole airport is part of a larger AOPA effort that is directed at more reasonable pricing, weather it is ramp fees or fuel prices."

The overwhelming majority of FBOs are doing a great job, it is a small minority of FBOs that we have received complaints about.

KGAB's Morning Show Wakeup WIth Glenn Woods has reached out to Jackson Hole Airport Authority an AOPA to learn more about this story.