Longmont considers landing fees for Rocky Mountain Metro Airport operations

The Longmont City Council meeting on June 3, 2025, focused on the economic sustainability of Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, particularly regarding the imposition of landing fees for businesses operating at the facility.

During the session, a speaker raised concerns about the significant number of operations at the airport, noting that over 70% of these activities are conducted by for-profit businesses without any associated charges. In the first four months of 2025, the airport recorded approximately 35,000 operations, with around 24,000 classified as touch-and-go operations. The speaker argued that while these operations should not be restricted, it is unreasonable to allow them to occur without fees.

The speaker emphasized that many flight schools operating at the airport do not contribute economically to the local community, as they do not purchase fuel or stay overnight. They called for a fair imposition of landing fees for all aircraft using the airport, highlighting that at least 75 airports across the country successfully charge such fees without negative repercussions.

The discussion underscored the need for Longmont to align with national practices to ensure the airport's economic health and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, who currently subsidize operations through administrative fees and grants. The speaker concluded by advocating for the introduction of landing fees as a necessary step towards making the airport self-sustaining.

The meeting also featured other discussions, but the focus on airport operations and economic sustainability was a key highlight, indicating a potential shift in policy that could impact local businesses and airport management in the future.