Understanding Airport Landing Fees: Collection Methods And More

Landing fees are a charge levied by airports on aircraft for using their facilities to land. These fees are a crucial source of revenue for airports, enabling them to cover operating expenses, infrastructure maintenance, and safety measures. The methods for collecting these fees vary depending on the airport. Some airports collect landing fees by sending a bill to the address in the FAA database or the registered owner of the aircraft. In some cases, the landing fees are added to the bill by the rental company. Other airports have automated collection systems, while some employ contractors to listen to tower tapes and send bills accordingly.

How are airport landing fees collected?

Landing fees are collected by FBOs or GC centres at the airport

Landing fees are collected by Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) or General Aviation (GA) Centres (GC) at the airport. FBOs are organisations granted the right by an airport to operate and provide aeronautical services such as fuelling, hangaring, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft rental. They are the primary providers of support services to general aviation operators at public-use airports and are usually found at smaller airports serving remote or modest communities. FBOs are either privately or publicly held non-governmental organisations.

At some airports, there is a GC centre run by the airport that aircraft must visit if they do not go to an FBO. GCs can deny takeoff clearance if aircraft do not visit them first. These centres also provide aeronautical services, including aircraft management, charter, and avionic services.

Landing fees are often collected when pilots pay for plane rentals, fuel, or other services at FBOs or GCs. Some airports may also send bills to the address associated with the aircraft in the FAA database or the registered owner of the aircraft. Pilots can also pay landing fees by scanning a barcode with an app or calling the ATC tower to provide their credit card information.

The amount of landing fees can vary depending on the airport and aircraft type, with some airports charging higher fees for larger aircraft or landings in specific directions to discourage overflying residential areas. At smaller airports, fees may be waived with the purchase of fuel.

Some airports bill aircraft owners after collecting their information

Landing fees are a standard charge levied by airports on aircraft for using their facilities during landing operations. These fees are crucial for airports to generate revenue and cover the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the airport, including runway upkeep, air traffic control, and emergency services. The amount of the fees usually differs based on factors such as landing direction, aircraft size, weight, type, and the duration of stay at the airport.

In addition, some airports do not charge a landing fee if the aircraft fuels up, while others have no fee unless the aircraft leaves the movement area. Furthermore, certain airports only assess a landing fee for landings late at night, after the tower and the FBOs are closed. Aircraft owners can pay landing fees by scanning a barcode with an app, mailing a check, or calling the ATC tower and providing their credit card number.

Landing fees are sometimes collected by contractors listening to tower tapes

The collection methods for airport landing fees vary depending on the airport in question. At some airports, landing fees are collected by Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs), where pilots rent their planes. At other airports, pilots are billed for landing fees based on their registration details. In some cases, landing fees are waived when the pilot purchases fuel.

The process of collecting landing fees through tower tapes usually involves the following steps:

• Contractors obtain access to the tower tapes, which are often stored in audio formats or, in some cases, transcribed into text.
• They review the recordings or transcripts to identify specific aircraft by their tail numbers, which are mentioned during communications with air traffic control.
• Using the identified tail numbers, they cross-reference registration databases to obtain the contact and billing information for the aircraft's owner or operator.
• Invoices for landing fees are then generated and sent to the responsible party, often via mail or email.

It is important to note that this process may vary across different airports and countries, and not all airports rely solely on tower tapes for collecting landing fees. Some airports may employ multiple methods to ensure accurate billing, such as using radar data or aircraft tracking systems in conjunction with tower tapes.

Additionally, tower tapes are not solely used for billing purposes. They serve a critical function in aviation safety and operations, providing a record of communications that can be reviewed for training, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance.

Landing fees can be paid by scanning a barcode with an app or on a website

Landing fees are a common way for airports to generate revenue and cover operational expenses, infrastructure maintenance, and safety measures. The fees are typically based on factors such as aircraft size, weight, type, and duration of stay. While the specific methods may vary across airports, here are some common ways landing fees can be paid by scanning a barcode with an app or on a website:

Scanning a Barcode with an App:

Some airports offer the convenience of paying landing fees through a dedicated mobile app. Users can scan the barcode associated with the landing fee using their smartphone camera. The app then processes the payment automatically, providing a quick and efficient way to settle the charges.

Online Payment through Airport Website:

Many airports have official websites that provide comprehensive information about their fees and charges. These websites often include a "Fees" or "Payments" section, where pilots or aircraft operators can find instructions on how to make online payments. This usually involves selecting the specific airport and entering relevant details, such as the aircraft's registration number or tail number.

Centralised Web-based Platforms:

There are also centralised web-based platforms that serve as a central repository for airport financial information. These platforms allow users to select a specific airport, view financial reports, and access landing fee details. By navigating to the appropriate section, users can find information about landing fees and, in some cases, make online payments directly through the platform.

Mobile Payment Services:

In some cases, airports may accept payments through popular mobile payment services. For example, an airport might provide a MobilePay number on its website, allowing users to transfer funds directly and conveniently from their mobile devices.

While the availability of these payment methods may vary across different airports, the options outlined above demonstrate the increasing digitalisation of fee collection processes in the aviation industry. These methods offer pilots, aircraft operators, and aviation enthusiasts convenient ways to pay landing fees and ensure compliance with airport regulations.

Landing fees are waived at some airports if fuel is purchased

Landing fees are just one of the many costs associated with using an airport's facilities and services. These fees are usually set by the airport authority and are standard for all users of the airport. They are charged for the use of the runway and are paid to the airport authority. The amount of the fee usually depends on the landing direction to discourage overflying residential areas. The highest landing fee observed was $190 for fixed-wing GA aircraft at San Francisco Airport.

At some airports, landing fees are waived if a certain amount of fuel is purchased. This is often the case at smaller airports, where ramp fees for parking may be waived with a minimum amount of fuel purchased. For example, Solberg Airport in NJ has "ramp fees" for parking, but these fees are waived when fuel is purchased. Similarly, Oban & The Isles Airports offer a 20% discount on weekly aircraft parking permits. Some airports may also offer free overnight parking, while others may charge a significant fee, especially larger, busier airports.

Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) provide services that help pilots on the ground, including fuel, ground handling, and parking. These services come with fees set by the FBO, which can vary from one operator to another. FBOs may offer bundled services, providing a combination of services for a set fee, which can help save money. For instance, an FBO may waive the handling fee if a certain amount of fuel is purchased. FBO fees are usually charged on a per-day basis and may depend on the size of the aircraft. These fees are typically paid directly to the FBO, which then passes on any applicable airport fees to the airport authority.

While landing fees are typically paid at the airport itself, there are various methods of payment. Most FBOs and airports accept credit and debit cards, while some may also accept cash or checks. In some cases, the landing fee may be added to the bill when renting a plane, or the aircraft owner may receive a bill at the address listed in the FAA database.

Frequently asked questions