Kenai Airport commissioners spent the bulk of their Nov. 13 meeting weighing how to maintain aircraft fueling after the current operator signaled it cannot justify costly upgrades to continue self‑service sales.

Mary (airport staff) told the commission the underground pump system has reached the end of its useful life and Crowley — the airport’s current fuel operator — reported limited revenues for the pumps and rising compliance costs. "They just don't make any money off those pumps," Mary said, estimating Crowley’s historical pump revenue at about $20,000 from avgas and roughly $30,000 from jet fuel. She said Crowley also raised union and capital‑cost concerns when discussing long‑term service.

Commissioners expressed concern for general aviation (GA) and floatplane users if self‑service is discontinued. “Imagine having a Super Cub where you needed 20 gallons...with a $450 fee. That's just unconscionable,” said Commissioner (speaker 2), describing a scenario in which a call‑out fee would make small refueling stops prohibitively expensive for private pilots.

Staff said Crowley would still provide truck deliveries on a limited schedule (Monday–Friday, roughly 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), but that approach does not replace convenient self‑service fueling for transient GA traffic and emergency or disaster relief operations. Mary said the city will prepare an RFP for a temporary fueling location and plans to seek FAA approvals for any new fueling configuration; she expects to report back with more information around Dec. 1.

Commissioners and staff discussed options including recruiting a private fixed‑base operator (FBO) or a vendor to operate above‑ground tanks, noting different tank types and transfer‑pod setups incur significant upfront costs. Participants mentioned capital estimates in the range of $200,000–$300,000 for compliant above‑ground transfer installations, and that those costs — compared with modest annual pump revenues — make private investment unlikely without incentives or guaranteed demand.

Staff also described some technical constraints at the floatplane basin fuel system: the tank and pumps are currently functional, but credit‑card/computer software has required intermittent fixes and at least one recent sales‑report glitch reduced reported monthly sales figures. Staff told commissioners they would review prior upgrades and maintenance records to inform next steps.

Next steps: staff will issue an RFP for a temporary fueling solution, follow up with Crowley, confirm regulatory needs with FAA staff, and return to the commission with updated options in December.