Aeronautics Commission asks Ways and Means subcommittee for $94.65 million in recurring airport capital funding

The Aeronautics Commission told the House Ways and Means Transportation and Regulatory Budget Subcommittee it needs $94,650,000 in recurring funding to support commercial airport capital development across the state.

The request, presented by an Aeronautics Commission official, follows last year's partial appropriations and is intended to shore up commercial airport projects that the commission said drive tourism, cargo and workforce access. The official described the figure as the remainder of a prior $100 million ask after the General Assembly provided $5,350,000 in recurring funding last year.

The agency reported it oversees 57 public-use airports (one fewer than last year after Dillon County Airport closed), including six commercial airports. It said it participated in 85 State Aviation Fund grants totaling $31,200,000 and leveraged roughly $60,000,000 in federal funding; commercial airports also secured an additional $25,000,000 in federal-only grants.

"We have 57 public use airports where we oversee the development and we provide grant funding for those," the Aeronautics Commission official said, adding that passenger enplanements are setting new records and are up about 8% statewide. The official cautioned that "construction costs, although they've stabilized, stay high," while FAA funding has not kept pace, reducing the grant-buying power available to airports.

On distribution, the commission proposed an allocation formula based on enplanements and cargo, conducted in two waves: an initial distribution when funds arrive with a holdback, and a second round later in the year to allocate any remaining dollars. The official said a minimum local match would be required for projects and that unobligated funds would revert to the general fund.

Committee members pressed for details about an $80,000,000 appropriation routed through the Department of Commerce last year. "Can you tell me how that flowed over and where that went?" Representative Long asked. The Aeronautics official replied that Commerce used a formula likely based on enplanements and cargo and that distribution timing meant some funds may not yet have been fully allocated.

Members also questioned staffing and succession planning. Representative Willis asked about three vacancies; the commission said it is reclassifying one position into the flight department and plans to add an Aircraft Mechanic 1 role to address an aging maintenance workforce.

The commission updated the subcommittee on state aircraft procurement. It said it purchased a 2018 King Air 350i for approximately $6,300,000 and has been trying to sell a second aircraft to roll proceeds into a replacement; after earlier appraisals proved too high, the agency said it would relist the surplus plane.

The commission also sought roughly $900,000 to complete exterior painting and window work and about $700,000 for roofing work at agency facilities, each figure described as including contingency for capital improvements.

The Aeronautics Commission official noted prior legislation that materially affected the fund, saying a past measure (Senate Bill 675) that directed airline property tax to the State Aviation Fund had been a "game changer" for aviation funding and warning that current proposals to reduce airline property tax would cut the fund by an estimated $5,400,000 if enacted.

The subcommittee did not take formal action during the hearing; members asked for follow-up details on Commerce distributions and potential federal matching opportunities. The meeting was recessed and the subcommittee reconvened the same week in a larger room to continue budget deliberations.