Consequences of Landing Fees

A growing trend is emerging in which companies like Vector Airport Systems and Airport Monitoring Systems are marketing landing fee solutions to local governments. These systems often rely on ADS-B data, ground cameras, and automated billing software to charge aircraft owners for each landing, claiming to improve airport revenue and reduce community noise. However, this approach introduces a range of unintended consequences that can undermine safety, fairness, and the economic health of the community.

The Colorado Pilots Association stands firmly against the imposition of landing fees as a short-sighted approach that introduces unnecessary costs, compromises safety, and undermines the long-term health of general aviation. We advocate for fair, transparent, and balanced airport management that preserves the freedom to fly while supporting local communities and businesses.

Safety Risks

• Reduced ADS-B Use: Pilots may be incentivized to turn off their ADS-B equipment to avoid tracking and fees. This compromises the safety benefits of ADS-B, which was mandated to reduce mid-air collision risk and improve situational awareness.
• Discouraging Training: Landing fees increase the cost of every flight, discouraging practice and training. Less practice leads to less-skilled pilots and a higher risk of accidents, undermining long-term aviation safety.
  

Fairness and Legal Concerns

• Unintended Use of ADS-B Data: Aircraft owners invested thousands of dollars in ADS-B equipment under federal requirements for safety, not to subsidize airport revenue. The use of this data for landing fee billing is both fundamentally unfair and potentially subject to legal challenges.
• Disproportionate Impact: These fees unfairly burden smaller aircraft owners and flight schools, which already operate on thin margins, while larger corporate operators can more easily absorb these costs.
  

Economic Impact

• Reduced Local Economic Activity: Landing fees can reduce fuel sales, maintenance business, and other economic activities at local airports, leading to job losses. The reduced value of airport properties, like hangars, can also lower rental income and property tax revenue for local governments.
• Long-Term Aviation Health: These fees can discourage investment in airport infrastructure and limit the growth of general aviation, which is a critical component of local economies and community services.
  

Impact on the Pilot Shortage

• Barrier to Pilot Training: More than 50% of today’s airline pilots are trained through civilian flight schools, not the military. Adding unnecessary costs to this training pipeline risks worsening the existing pilot shortage, ultimately impacting the cost and availability of air travel for everyone.
  

Noise and the Arms Race Effect

• Shifting the Problem: Using landing fees to reduce traffic and noise simply pushes the problem to nearby airports, encouraging an escalating cycle of fee adoption without addressing the root causes of noise complaints. This approach undermines regional cooperation and community goodwill.

Current Stories on the use of ADS-B for landing fees.

AOPA CEO Darren Pleasance Landing fees - Airports are the magical Emerald City at the end of a golden flight and a place of welcome for pilots and their passengers. Especially general aviation airports, the lifeblood of our industry, the places where GA pilots, their aircraft, and their passengers should feel welcomed, respected, and celebrated. - June 2025

Arizona Airport Rolls Back Landing Fees - In response to feedback from AOPA and local pilots, the Safford, Arizona, City Council unanimously voted to immediately remove landing fees at Safford Regional/1Lt Duane Spalsbury Field for any aircraft under 4,000 pounds, and for touch-and-go operations for aircraft over 4,000 pounds. - May 8, 2025

Montana’s ADS-B Privacy Bill Signed Into Law - On May 8, a bill to limit frivolous use of ADS-B tracking data was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. This legislation battles the recent trend of US airports using ADS-B information to impose landing fees on general aviation planes. - May 13, 2025

Colorado Airports with Landing Fees

Airport		Airport ID		Weight Classes		Fee Structure		Billing Vendor		Notes
Colorado Springs		KCOS		9,000 lbs up				https://www.vector-us.com/
Aspen–Pitkin County Airport		KASE		1,000 lbs MTOW		$9.18 per 1,000 lbs		https://www.vector-us.com/
Fort Collins		KFNL
Cortez Municipal Airport		KCEZ						https://www.vector-us.com/
Durango-La Plata County Airport		KDRO						https://www.vector-us.com/
Eagle County Regional Airport		KEGE						https://www.vector-us.com/
Yampa Valley Regional Airport		KHDN						https://www.vector-us.com/
Rifle Garfield County Airport		KRIL						https://www.vector-us.com/

Were you charged a landing fee in Colorado?  Let us know at info@coloradopilots.org