In a letter to these groups, AOPA President Mark Baker outlined the status of acceptance of FBO ramp fee transparency and called on the industry to communicate its support and encouragement to FBOs, especially larger chain FBOs such as Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.
Of the 16 chain FBOs, only three have fully complied with the voluntary pricing transparency: ACI Jet, Cutter, and Wilson Air.
“We thank those FBOs that serve pilots with openness,” Baker said.
“It’s the right thing to do and, unfortunately, we just haven’t gotten to where we need to be. In fact, we estimate that only about 25 percent of the more than 3,300 FBOs across the country have instituted voluntary transparent business practices by publishing their fees online.
“There is a lot of support for fee and ramp transparency at our public-use airports and by working together, I know we can, and must, do better than this.
“Imagine flying on an airline and not being able to find out how much you’ll pay until you land. It just doesn’t make sense.”
The program encourages FBOs to post ramp fees and fuel prices on their websites for piston and turbine aircraft, or on AOPA’s Airports and Destinations Directory.
“We understand that FBOs provide necessary services and have a right to run a thriving and profitable business, but not at the expense of the general aviation community and regardless of the type of aircraft they fly,” added Baker.
“Like any other consumer, pilots have the right to know the cost of services at an airport before the bill comes.”