A group is raising questions about the need for a planned taxpayer-funded general aviation terminal and a potential operator at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, but it’s unclear who’s behind it.
Chattanoogans for Fair Aviation has set up a website and taken out ads saying the Airport Authority is “wasting your money” on the proposed $10 million in new facilities.
The website doesn’t list any names or phone numbers though it has an e-mail address to contact. There was no response to an inquiry from a reporter this week.
Airport spokeswoman Christina Siebold said officials don’t know who’s behind “this supposed advocacy group.”
But she said officials have received only “positive feedback from our airlines, private pilots, elected officials and citizens across the region.”
In July, the airport unveiled plans to add the terminal, hangars and a fuel farm. The state is to pay for 90 percent while the airport picks up the rest.
The airport also has sought proposals for a fixed base operator to run the facilities.
Chattanoogans for Fair Aviation said general aviation is down at the airport. It said the airport is “spending your money to build facilities for private aircraft that duplicate services the free market is already providing “
Existing airport FBO Tac Air, which offers fuel and hangar space, has said the new facilities and operator aren’t needed and criticized the plan.
Tac Air spokesman David Edwards, when asked if the company is funding Chattanoogans for Fair Aviation, said the business is private and doesn’t disclose how it spends money.
“That’s one of the advantages of being privately held,” he said about Texarkana, Texas-based Tac Air.
Meanwhile, Pete O’Hare, a local pilot, questioned using state funds for the planned terminal and hangars.
“Are we purchasing another bank or car company?” he asked, referring to federal bailouts of major lenders and General Motors.
O’Hare said he’d like to see money go to airport safety projects “before spending it on an FBO.”
While lauding airport President Mike Landguth, he wondered what will happen to people who work at Tac Air.
Airport and city officials have said the expansion is needed to meet expected growth.
They’ve cited Volkswagen’s auto assembly plant, suppliers, Wacker’s planned Cleveland, Tenn., plant and other businesses. Airport officials also said pilots and others have sought more competition.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.