Pilots Accuse California County of Neglecting Airport While Asking for Massive Rent Increase

The only general aviation FBO in Humboldt County has closed after facing a 500 percent jump.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 06:55 PM ET

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A look at Murray Field in Humboldt County, California. [Credit: Gene Joyce]

Key Takeaways:

Northern Air, the sole FBO at Murray Field (KEKA), is closing its operations due to a 500% rent increase imposed by Humboldt County on a deteriorated facility that was already unprofitable, eliminating flight training, pilot supplies, and fuel sales.
Local pilots are "up in arms" over the loss of critical services and the airport's dilapidated condition, criticizing the county for neglecting maintenance for decades while simultaneously raising rates.
The county justifies the rent hike as necessary to comply with FAA grant assurances after years of "artificially low" rates, acknowledging past neglect but promising future improvements which pilots remain skeptical about.

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Could your small business absorb a 500 percent increase in rent? Kyle Gable, the owner of Northern Air, the only general aviation FBO in Humboldt County, California, says no, he can’t, so he made the decision to close the FBO located at Murray Field (KEKA).

In January, the county informed Gable that the rent would increase from $1,536 a month to $10,088 a month beginning March 1.