Council approves 5-year lease of Hangars 1 and 3 to Freedom Aviation after contested public hearing

Lynchburg City Council on Oct. 14 voted 6-1 to authorize a five-year lease with an option to extend for Hangars 1 and 3 and associated office space at Lynchburg Regional Airport to Freedom Aviation Inc., the airport director said. The approved lease carries a starting rent of $7,000 per month with annual escalators and begins Jan. 1, 2026.

The matter was before council after a procurement process that staff described as an RFP open under Virginia procurement guidelines. Cedric Simon, Lynchburg’s airport director, said the city received two proposals and staff recommended the Freedom Aviation bid because it offered higher rent and financial assurances. "We received two proposals. Freedom Aviation Incorporated's proposal offered a higher monthly rent," Simon told council during the public hearing.

Why it matters: the two hangars are currently used by BonAir Brokerage and Davis Air for maintenance, charter and organ‑transport flights. Multiple speakers described the airport facilities as critical infrastructure for time‑sensitive medical transport and for the local aviation workforce. Opponents said…