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Paso Robles Airport reports rising operations, new leases and ongoing spaceport work
Summary
Airport manager reported rising aircraft operations (about 51,000 in 2024), fuel sales near 1 million gallons, revenue increases and progress on a spaceport license application and hangar development with Lloyd's Aviation.
Airport Manager Mark Skandalis told the City Council on March 18 that operations and revenues at Paso Robles Municipal Airport are increasing and that work is underway on master planning, terminal improvements and a potential spaceport license.
Skandalis said the airport recorded about 51,000 aircraft operations last year after the city implemented new tracking software in late 2022. “We sold just under or just over a million gallons last year,” he said, adding that fuel sales and based‑aircraft counts contribute to FAA funding and local airport revenue.
The nut graf: the airport reported growth in lease revenue, fuel flowage fees and other income, a near‑term fund reserve balance of about $2.7 million at the start of the fiscal cycle, and federal entitlements and grants that have delivered more than typical amounts: the airport receives $620,000 in federal entitlements across a four‑year period and staff said they had secured $2.5 million in federal grant dollars. Skandalis also described an ongoing master plan update and negotiations with an FBO that ties development and capital improvements to its contract.
Skandalis described several operational improvements implemented in the last two years: 365‑day staffing with 24/7 on‑call coverage, a daily airfield inspection program logged to FAA specifications, new wayfinding signage and a transient landing fee program that boosted revenue. He said Lloyd's Aviation — the airport’s FBO and maintenance operator — has expanded services, opened a maintenance shop and is working with the city on hangar development; meetings with Lloyd's and contractors are ongoing and that draft site plans and soils reports are complete.
Skandalis also gave a high‑level update on the city’s application for a spaceport license and said several elements of the application are substantially complete and funded; he described continuing work with FAA offices in San Francisco and Washington.
Ending: Council members asked follow‑up questions about pavement and taxiway reconstruction needs and fuel‑flowage reporting; staff said taxiway work and terminal refresh projects remain on the airport’s medium‑term schedule.
