Florida Bans ADS-B Fee Calculation at Airports

State says other methods must be used to compute and collect charges for aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Florida airports can no longer use ADS-B data to calculate or collect fees for aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds. [Credit: Aspen Avionics]

Key Takeaways:

Florida has prohibited its airports from using ADS-B data to calculate landing or departure fees for general aviation aircraft, overturning an earlier practice by some airports.
The ban, enacted by Governor DeSantis, is a victory for advocates like AOPA and supported by FAA and NTSB officials, who argue ADS-B is solely a safety tool and should not be used for revenue generation.
The primary concern is that charging fees based on ADS-B data could disincentivize pilots from installing or operating this critical safety equipment.
A broader push is underway for federal legislation, such as the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA), to implement a uniform nationwide ban on using ADS-B data for non-safety purposes.

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A handful of Florida airports in 2024 became the first in the nation to charge automated landing fees derived from ADS-B data. As of April, the practice is now prohibited statewide.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week signed SB 422, which restricts airports’ use of ADS-B data to calculate or collect charges for landings, departures, or entry into certain airspace. The provision covers aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds and operating under Part 91.