Gregg County commissioners approve fee increases at East Texas Regional Airport

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - After over a decade of keeping costs down at one East Texas airport, a commissioners court voted to increase fees in some areas to offset costs.

“We surveyed over 22 airports that are of similar size to us around the state of Texas and we are on the bottom of cost,” said Gregg County judge Bill Stoudt.

“We surveyed over 22 airports that are of similar size to us around the state of Texas and we are on the bottom of cost,” said Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt.

It had been over a decade since any fee price increase or operating cost issue had come up. But the day had finally come.

“It was very clear that we were on the bottom of costs of landing at Gregg County airport, and that’s good in a way, but it costs a great deal of money to operate that airport. Some things you just can’t keep low forever, some of the fees we raised today,” the judge says.

Commissioners voted to approve increases in landing fees, fueling fees, and lease fees on hangars, among others.

“All those things have not been raised since the time we made parking free.” Stoudt says.

Still one of the greatest advantages for traveler’s at East Texas Regional Airport is the parking. It’s free. And Judge Stoudt says that will not change.

“We’re going to continue to keep the no fees for parking, very popular with our ridership,” he says.

“When you fly to DFW you stay gone for maybe a week, then just parking will cost over 100 bucks. But if you fly to Gregg County there’s no cost at all,” said precinct 4 commissioner Shannon Brown.

They hope modest increases will help fund operations and keep business brisk at the airport.

“Ridership is full 80 percent of the time. We’re still competitive,” the judge says.

Fee increases for travelers will not take effect until after January 1, 2023.

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