Jujupilote wrote:
That said, most airports are owned (not operated) by a local government, so can they really go bankrupt ?
The operating company can. And with no operating company there is will be no services, including runway maintenance.
172driver wrote:
As an aside, to think that the low end of GA, which we are mainly discussing here, can save a regional airport is ludicrous
A regional GA-only airport can be profitable so long as it’s not grossly overstaffed. The actual runway when used by GA won’t wear out for decades.
I learned to fly at a privately owned, public use airfield which was GA only. It was profitable despite having to pay significant property taxes, and it didn’t even charge landing fees.
aart wrote:
Well, there is always an even lower end of GA These fields seem to be holding out fine, if not thriving.
Indeed. Boating is a huge thing in Norway. There is a boat for every household, literally. It’s all hobby/recreation, yet all infrastructure is self sustained and works just fine with marinas, shops, repair shops, fuel, restaurants etc. Even SAR services (highly professional) are financed by private people everywhere giving money. Lots of guest “parking” for travellers and so on. The same principle should be used for GA IMO. In many places it is, but in other ways it’s held back by some “dark force” or something.
