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GA Getting the Boot at North Carolina Airport

Hangars are set to face the wrecking ball in favor of more airline terminal space at Asheville airfield.

[Credit: Signature Flight Support]
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Key Takeaways:

  • The Asheville Regional Airport Authority (ARAA) is demolishing existing general aviation (GA) hangars to expand commercial aviation facilities, part of a $400 million project to increase the terminal to 12 gates.
  • This strategic move prioritizes commercial air service, which the ARAA identifies as the key revenue driver and vital economic booster for the region.
  • The airport is reclaiming leased land from FBO Signature Aviation, though Signature's general manager confirms the plans will not detrimentally affect their remaining operations.
  • While current GA hangars are being removed, the airport's master plan includes future areas for new GA hangars, which will be constructed and managed by independent businesses rather than the airport authority.
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The Asheville Regional Airport Authority (ARAA) will demolish GA hangars at the facility (KAVL) to make more room for commercial aviation.

“Yes, we are taking back leased aeronautical land close to the airport terminal from Signature [Aviation], the fixed base operator (FBO) at [KAVL],” ARAA spokesperson Tina Kinsey told Asheville news outlet AVL Watchdog. “Commercial aviation is the key driver of revenue for our airport and is vastly important to our region’s residents and the economic strength of western North Carolina, so we must utilize our aeronautical land closest to the terminal to meet commercial aviation needs, especially as commercial air service capacity continues to expand.”

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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