Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Fees Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Knox County approves new airport contracts and switches to weight-based landing fees
Summary
The commission approved an amendment to a long-standing rental‑car concession, a contract with Vector Airport Systems to track arrivals, and updates to parking and landing‑fee programs designed to increase revenue and make billing more equitable and trackable.
The Knox County Commission on May 12 approved a package of airport contract and fee changes aimed at improving fee collection and raising revenue.
Presenter Jake (Presenter) told the commission the amendment to the airport concession agreement removes an old graduated threshold and sets a flat 10% share of gross revenue for the rental‑car concessionaire, a change he said will simplify administration and is expected to bring roughly $20,000 in additional revenue based on 2025 activity. "This just gets rid of that initial language and just gives a flat 10% all year," Jake said.
The commission also approved an agreement with Vector Airport Systems LLC to use ADS‑B tracking data to identify arrivals, match aircraft to billing addresses and support a shift from engine‑based to weight‑based landing fees. Jake said Vector’s ADS‑B receiver provides aircraft identifiers, weight data and existing contact information, which will help the airport invoice transient or off‑hour arrivals that previously escaped billing. "Vector is the solution to that," he said, describing how the system will capture aircraft the airport currently misses.
Under the approved landing‑fee update, aircraft below a defined weight threshold would remain exempt, while larger aircraft would pay a fee calculated per thousand pounds; staff said the change better aligns with FAA expectations for equitable fee structures and with comparable airports. Jake said the airport has researched market rates and expects the program to significantly increase landing‑fee revenue once the Vector system is active.
Separately, the commission approved revisions to the airport parking program to move away from a seven‑day discount toward daily or monthly billing that aligns with Vector’s invoicing approach. Jake said the county will conduct a more detailed rate and fees analysis later to refine pricing.
All airport items were approved by unanimous voice votes. The commission’s action follows a recommendation by the APAC advisory group, which voted to support the Vector partnership.
The county will install an ADS‑B receiver at the airport and work with Vector to implement billing; staff said they will return with any detailed rate tables or additional policy language as needed.
