Commissioners approve FBO for airport

ALAMOSA — The San Luis Valley Regional Airport will now have a Fixed Base Operator. The Alamosa Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Airport Advisory Board and awarded Centric Aviation with the FBO contract.

It is the result of a nine-month process.

Airport Manager Will Hickman and Airport Advisory Board Member Michael Rohr presented the recommendation to the commissioners. Rohr pointed out that Centric Aviation was the applicant whose financial situation is currently the best fit to make “necessary changes,” to airport infrastructure. In addition, Centric also displayed the most willingness to negotiate a long-term contract and committed to a 10-year agreement. As a result, the Advisory Board recommendation was unanimous.

Another positive aspect of the negotiations is that the airport employees who are on a seasonal basis with Alamosa County will become full-time employees of Centric Aviation. Conversations regarding the amount of space that could possibly be leased to Depot Avionics are also moving forward.

The hiring of an on-site mechanic is still a high priority in the agreement. Alamosa County Administrator Gigi Dennis noted that Centric is “very much committed to finding a mechanic.”

Commissioner Michael Yohn called the results of the Advisory Board’s work “very good.” 

Centric Aviation will now move forward with contract negotiations with Alamosa County Attorney Jason Kelly.

The company is set to take over operations within 30 days or less.