Airport trust approves Wiley Post FBO lease amid public objections over selection process

The Oklahoma City Airport Trust on Aug. 28 approved a five-year lease and operations agreement with PWA FBO LLC to operate fixed-base and specialized aviation services at Wiley Post Airport, overruling public objections about the selection process.

Trust staff told trustees that the incumbent tenant, Metreya, operates on a month-to-month lease and had notified the airport it would leave in the fall. Staff said they sought continuity of fuel and maintenance services at Wiley Post and therefore used the trust’s standard lease application process rather than a formal request-for-proposals because of timing and because the new tenant would assume Metreya’s existing rates without additional improvements. The director said the five-year term was intentionally short so the trust could pursue a longer-term process later if needed.

The decision drew extended public comment from local operators and tenants. Craig Carson, who operates Volar, said the selection process was “flawed” and alleged the shortcut created an unfair advantage, calling the outcome “monopolistic” and saying it could force his flight school to relocate. “Artificial manipulation of a timeline does not constitute a fair and due process,” Carson said.

Representatives for PWA disputed those claims. Sho Samar, a principal with PWA, said the company had discussed the opportunity widely and that it had made efforts to engage with other tenants, including Carson. Justin Cobalt, who said he works with the company’s maintenance operations, said PWA expects to bring new contracts and hire mechanics. Gary Bass, representing Metreya, said Metreya is closing operations in Oklahoma City and is focused on preserving employment for its roughly 35 employees; he said the FBO will operate through Sept. 30.

Several other operators urged the trust to use an open RFP process so that outside firms could bid. Chris Townsley, owner of Buffalo River Aviation in Arkansas, said an RFP would have attracted investment interest from operators outside the region. Happy Wells of Jessette said she had been told by airport staff in February she would be kept informed but had not received subsequent updates.

Jamie, the trust attorney, told trustees that the FAA grant assurances do not include language that requires an RFP in every instance and that the trust may choose its selection process. “There is nothing in a grant assurance that requires or uses any language that says that there is a request for proposal process,” Jamie said.

Trust staff said PWA gave verbal assurances that employees would be retained and that PWA had begun hiring some MRO staff; PWA said it would follow up with written commitments after today’s vote. One trustee spoke against the item at the meeting and said they would vote no; the board nevertheless approved the lease as presented.

The trust noted it wanted to maintain three fuel providers at Wiley Post and to avoid a gap in services when Metreya departs. The five-year lease term was presented as a short-term measure to preserve operations while leaving open the option of a longer-term, potentially competitive process later.

The approval will allow PWA to assume operations at the site immediately under the new lease. Trustees also approved other Wiley Post agenda items at the same meeting.