Bizav Calls for Clarity, Fairness on DAL Landing Fees
The timing of the implementation of the fees is unclear after city and airport officials agreed to examine the fees.

While a new city of Dallas ordinance calling for general aviation landing fees at Dallas Love Field (DAL) takes effect July 1, airport and city officials have indicated a willingness to examine the fees to provide more clarity before implementing them. As a result, the timing of their implementation is still unclear.


City documents have indicated the landing fees could be as much as $5.80 per 1,000 pounds in the first year, more than double the $2.20 per 1,000 pounds commercial carriers currently pay.


Following meetings with airport officials, the Love Field Pilots Association, which includes a number of general aviation operators and businesses at the airport, in late May wrote officials expressing concern about the fees as originally outlined. The association said there is still confusion on the applicability to based and transient operators. The letter also stressed the need for more transparency in the development of the fees, saying at first look the formula appears “flawed and unfair” to the general aviation community.


The letter further expressed concern that while the city maintains the fees have been publicly vetted, discussions surrounding them leading up to their approval in April have appeared to include other parties, including commercial carriers, yet not the general aviation community itself.


The city cited increasing costs for keeping up with traffic and maintenance needs in its decision to approve the fee. But airport officials also stress that they want to ensure that general aviation pays its “fair share.”