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Airport staff report rising operations, new flight school, restaurant soft opening and taxiway rehab holding pattern
Summary
Airport staff reported year-over-year increases in operations and fuel flowage, a new flight school moving into terminal space, a soft opening set for "Jonathan's" at the Flying Artichoke on Aug. 20, a smaller military exercise coming to the field, and a potential delay on a taxiway rehabilitation project due to escalating asphalt costs.
Airport staff told the Salinas Airport Commission that operations and fuel sales are tracking above last year and that several near-term projects and events are planned or under review.
Operations and fuel flowage: Airport staff said year‑over‑year operations (takeoffs, landings, touch-and-goes and instrument approaches) are tracking well, which helps justify the airport's Class D airspace designation. Staff also reported fuel flowage is tracking favorably and said the airport would realize a one-cent per gallon increase on jet A fuel next month that, given sales volume, will affect revenue.
New flight school tenant: Staff reported a new flight school will rent space in the airport terminal previously occupied by "aerodynamic" and that the school will house three to four aircraft in airport hangars for instruction.
Restaurant soft opening: Staff announced a soft opening for Jonathan's restaurant at the Flying Artichoke planned for Aug. 20 at 4:00 p.m., with heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine and live music or a DJ. Staff noted the airport and restaurant are coordinating with the local chamber and media for promotion.
Military exercise: Staff said a military exercise similar to last year's will occur but at reduced scale. Where previous exercises involved multiple C-130 variants and hundreds of troops, this year's activity will include one C-130J model and about 38 troops; the exercise involves hot fueling and temporary on-site support (showers, potable water, tented rigging tables) and will be staged on Delta and Papa taxiways.
FAA grant and taxiway rehab: Staff told commissioners the taxiway rehabilitation project (Bravo, on the south side) is in a holding pattern because asphalt and oil price escalation has increased project costs. The airport has FAA grant funds available that require a local match (discussed as approximately 10 percent on the record); staff said they will perform core samples to determine the scope and whether to proceed now or defer to a later year to avoid paying the elevated local match amid high asphalt prices. Staff also noted a 5 percent state match (from the California aeronautics/transportation program) is technically available but may be allocated to other projects. The commission did not vote on the rehab project at the meeting.
Other notes: Staff described continuing operational improvements — ramp reconfiguration during air shows, tenant relations and increased passive income from fuel flowage — and said more details will return to commissioners as projects move forward.
