The Airport Operation and Management bylaw is being updated after the City of Lloydminster received interest regarding an aerial applicator working out of the airport.
Read more: Bylaw enforcement reviewed at council
According to the city, the new aerial applicator will provide services out of the airport starting in June 2025. This service was not referenced in the bylaw and administration began its review.
A number of updates were made, including adding the definitions of aerial applicators and bulk fuel storage and distribution.
Fuel pricing began a point of discussion around the council table.
“There was a request for bulk fuel price sales, which spurred us looking into our fuel prices, where they are and how they’re being calculated. We are making an adjustment on that,” said Don Stang, executive manager of operations.
“We were collecting 5 cents a litre for testing as that fuel was being wasted under past practices. Under new practices, that fuel gets siphoned and recycled back in. Fuel sales are pretty good at the airport, so we want to keep that and keep it steady.”
The bylaw update stipulates bulk fuel storage shall not exceed 230 litres. If it does, it’s considered prohibited.
Coun. Justin Vance asked for some details regarding this decision.
“Having fuel tanks on our lease land, for example, and the potential for spills and stuff, we just felt like we didn’t want that environmental risk,” said Stang.
“I agree with making sure all tanks are up to standards and making sure we’re not having a rusty fuel tank in a hangar that’s at risk of having a massive leak. Even a 230-litre fuel tank that leaks is still an environmental concern, but just because it’s a larger amount doesn’t mean you can’t mitigate the environmental impacts,” added Vance.
Coun. Michael Diachuk talked about a positive story of a flying club using the airport for the cheaper fuel prices.
“They planned their flights based on airports and airports with the cheapest fuel. They chose us after doing their research online to be one of their stopover points to fuel up and spend a couple of days,” he said.
Coun. David Lopez asked about landing fees at the airport and if it was necessary to charge every time someone lands.
“In regard to the fees, we did have the flight school having a break and we thought, fair to bring out a break for the aerial applicators because they’ll do 15 to 20 landings in a day,” said Wade Frazs, airport manager. “We don’t want to charge them for every one of them, so, we’re planning on doing a one-a-day route break for guys that use it a lot.
“It’s a day rate per aircraft, just like we do with the flying school.”
As long as the person using the airport gives notice, administration is willing to offer the day rate. Administration also clarified they would work with the groups if they can’t give the 24-hour notice to do multiple touch downs in a single day.
“I think we would be reasonable as long as we’re not being taken advantage of,” said Stang.
Council accepted the bylaw as information. It will come back for discussion at a future council meeting for decision.
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