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New airport director details passenger growth, grants and larger hangar plans at Brainer Lakes Regional Airport
Summary
Airport director Jennifer Roach updated the board on commercial service gains, passenger facility fees, capital projects including a roughly $800,000 pavement job, a $3.5M FAA hanger grant and a recent $250,000 HVAC award for the terminal.
Jennifer Roach, the airport’s director since late February, gave commissioners a comprehensive briefing on Brainer Lakes Regional Airport operations, revenue sources and capital projects.
Roach described three operational pillars—commercial aviation, general aviation and tenants/non‑aeronautical businesses—and noted daily Delta Connection service (operated by SkyWest) to Minneapolis with roughly 12 weekly arrivals and departures. She explained ground operations are provided by UniFi (the ground‑service contractor) and that passenger facility charges (PFCs) are collected at roughly $4.50 per ticket with the airport retaining about $4.39 per passenger as a credit toward grant projects.
Passenger trends and revenue: Roach said the new morning flight contributed to a 35% increase in seats filled in April–May versus earlier months and that the airport still has capacity to grow (she cited an annual seat capacity of ~34,000). She emphasized hanger rental as the airport’s primary income source, with high demand and a waiting list for larger T‑box hangars.
Capital and safety projects: Roach summarized upcoming and awarded projects: a fall pavement and taxi‑lane project (~$800,000), $3.5 million in FAA funding for potential hanger development with a cooperating FBO, and a $250,000 award for terminal HVAC upgrades. She also recounted public‑safety and economic benefits: medevac services (Lifeline/North Memorial), the Minnesota DNR tanker base planning a phased $16 million upgrade with $2 million already bonded, and community outreach such as airport tours and career events.
What’s next: Roach said the airport is moving forward with planned capital projects and will continue strategic‑plan work with the airport commission to match infrastructure investment with long‑term demand.
