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Consultants tell airport authority Georgia faces a statewide hangar shortfall; urge market‑based development
Summary
Consultants from a private aviation real‑estate firm told the Athens‑Clarke County Airport Authority that Georgia faces a significant shortage of hangar space (roughly 1,405 additional spaces in 2023 data) and recommended market‑rent analyses, ground‑lease changes and private capital to expand hangar inventory and revenue.
Consultants from Flock Realty Group presented data and recommendations on hangar supply to the Athens‑Clarke County Airport Authority on Tuesday, telling authority members the state faces a sizable shortfall in hangar parking and aging hangar stock.
The presentation summarized a 2023 statewide study and local market observations, and concluded “there are 1,405 total additional spaces needed” to meet current demand, the consultant said. The firm urged the authority to pursue targeted market‑rent studies, tighter lease provisions and private equity arrangements to fund hangar construction.
Why it matters: Hangars and jet fuel sales are the airport’s primary revenue drivers beyond landing and service fees. With aging airport‑owned hangars and construction costs rising, the consultants said a combination of updated ground‑lease rates and private partnerships could unlock new revenue and meet local demand for aircraft storage.
The consultant recommended airport staff and authority members consider three steps: an updated market rent and feasibility study; tighter lease language to enforce aeronautical use and prevent nonaviation storage; and outreach to lenders and developers who finance hangar construction. “Capital is constrained at the state and federal level,” the presenter said, “so privatized investment and market optimization are ways to close the gap.”
Audience members and staff discussed waitlists, local conditions and enforcement. The consultant noted waitlist counts are collected differently across airports and may overstate active demand because owners place names on multiple lists; however, verified local waitlists still indicate constrained supply. The presenter also highlighted a workforce constraint in maintenance: newly hired A&P mechanics are a very small share of the workforce and a large fraction will retire in coming years, complicating efforts to support new MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services.
Authority members asked how to handle nonaviation uses in hangars and whether leases could be adjusted immediately. Staff said leases need clear, enforceable language and routine inspections — including annual fire inspections — can be used to verify aeronautical activity.
The consultants offered to perform a market‑rent analysis and feasibility work for the airport and follow up with a written scope and estimate. The presentation closed with members thanking the presenters and agreeing to consider market studies and potential inclusion of recommendations in upcoming ALP/strategic plan updates.
The authority did not take a formal vote on the recommendations; staff will determine next steps and whether to engage the consultant.
