CAA: GA News, "Florida Airport Tries to Keep Fuel Costs Low"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Saturday, April 15, 2000

Airport Tries to Keep Fuel Costs Low
Officials say Lakeland Linder's fuel prices are lower than they should be.
By RICK ROUSOS
Lakeland (FL) Ledger


LAKELAND -- Rising fuel costs aren't just for car drivers. Airplane fuel
prices have also risen, not as sharply as gasoline but enough to put dents
in some wallets.

Since the beginning of the year at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport,
aviation gas, called avgas, has risen from $2.24 per gallon to $2.44.
Commercial jet fuel has jumped from $2.19 to $2.42.

Those hikes can mean plenty when airplane tanks hold hundreds and even
thousands of gallons.

Jack Williams, the general manager of fixed-base operations at the airport,
said Friday that Linder is about 15 cents below where it should be, based on
wholesale price increases.

"We're trying to hold the line," he said. "People are mad enough as it is,
without the 15 extra cents."

Williams said Linder is in the mid range of prices when compared to other
airports. Linder does not have a self-serve fuel, mainly for liability
reasons. Some pilots said they'd go elsewhere to pump their own to spend in
the neighborhood of $1.80 to $2.05 per gallon.

"But there haven't been too many" who refused to fill up at Linder, said
Doug Gerstler, a pilot and entrepreneur who volunteers his time at the
fixed-base operations during Sun 'n Fun.

Officials say that aviation fuel prices rise slower than gasoline for cars
because it's such a small part of the oil companies' business.

"Still," Gerstler said, "nobody likes a price increase."


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