- April 24, 2024
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An aviation company is leasing space at the Flagler Executive Airport for $1,089 per month and plans to build a 120-by-100-foot hangar on the southwestern side of the airport property.
"There’s a tremendous opportunity for the airport and the county in that area. It’s good to see some activity."
— ANDY DANCE, Flagler County commissioner
"I think this is very significant, and it’s the first, really, new group that’s going to use those pads we put out there," County Commissioner David Sullivan said before the commission approved the ground lease with Skytrade Aviation during its Feb. 15 meeting.
The lease had been placed on the commission meeting's consent agenda — the section used for generally uncontroversial items that are approved as a bundle, without commission discussion — but Sullivan said he thought the lease significant enough to warrant a mention.
Airport Director Roy Sieger said that Skytrade plans to use the hangar for aircraft maintenance and expects to invest $1 million to $1.5 million in the structure.
The space will largely be used by one pilot and one mechanic, Sieger said.
The agreement is a 30-year land lease between the county and Skytrade, with annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. It gives Skytrade 24 months to build the hangar.
Commissioner Andy Dance suggested that the item shouldn't have been placed on the agenda, for transparency's sake.
"It seems like the ground lease is a little bit beyond, in my thoughts, being on consent," Dance said. "I think it’s important, too, because of the expansion and the amount of area we have for development over on that side of the airport. ... There’s a tremendous opportunity for the airport and the county in that area. It’s good to see some activity."
"No pun intended," Sieger said, "We’ve been waiting for that area to take off."
Sieger, noting that the Army National Guard and East Flagler Mosquito Control District already have facilities at the airport, said he's been communicating with other companies that want to build hangars there.
