These two were among the planes parked at the Albany Airport on April 5, 2026.
After almost a year of study, consultants hired to analyze the Albany Municipal Airport have submitted their final report. The way I read it, the city is likely to keep its airport even though it doesn’t make money.
The city’s Airport Advisory Commission on Wednesday heard from Matt Craigie of ECOnorthwest, the firm the city council hired last year for $113,469 to look into what else might be done with the airfield the city has owned since 1929.
The consulants considered, in detail, preserving airport operations as now, enhancing them by various means, or modifying them by making a corner of the site available for something that would not interfere with airport operations.
They also considered another alternative, which is trying to close the airport and making the roughly 100-acre site available for development for industry or residential mixed use. But they held out little hope for this course of action.
The report’s observations are summarized in this image from the firm’s presentation:
The report said that while it would be possible to close the airport, this would require approval by the FAA and the Oregon Department of Aviation. The process would take years, and then approval might be denied.
The Albany airport is listed among thousands of others in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), and the consultants said they could find no case of an NPIAS airport having been closed in 20 years.
In any case, closure would require repayment about $9.3 million to the Federal Aviation Administration if it took place now, and about $460,000 to the Oregon Department of Aviation.
The amounts represent grants to the airport over 20 years. Repayment requirements drop 5 percent per year after the grants were made.
The ECOnorthwest report, with appendices, is 149 pages long. I didn’t read the whole thing, but I think I got the gist. (hh)
Add to the list of things that don’t make money….Airport….Linn co. fairgrounds…someone made money…$ 113,469….we have a winner….oh my..
Rent it to one of the new aspiring electrical airplane startups and as a bonus get transportation routes to Eugene and Portland.
We lose money with each landing fee, but we make it up in volume.
How can a regional airport be culturally significant when it only serves the elite class who can afford to fly privately? And if the elite flying culture wants an airport in Albany, then raise landing fees to cover the deficit. We would quickly see how “culturally important” this money pit actually is. On a side note to make the point. The airpark in Independence sprung-up largely because the State of Oregon funds the runway and related maintenance. Local government does not sweat any funding at Independence because the State pays at that strip.
Private pilots, who live in marvelous homes in the airpark, and who own one or more very expensive airplanes are thrilled because the state underwrites all the airport functions. A sweet deal that cannot be duplicated in Albany because the Alany airstrip is not considered necessary for possible state emergency operations, whereas Independence airport is. Even people with enough wherewithal to own/operate several small aircraft know a bargain.
The airport, like the Carnegie Library, is an historic gem. Albany should be proud to have this airport – which I believe is the oldest west of the Mississippi River – and find creative ways to keep it viable. Outdoor concerts come to mind.
Hasso, I have a question about the airport Within the last couple of years I read someplace? that one of the hanger’s owners had received grants to build a museum in his hanger. What is happened to this idea?
Thanks
Matt said that they made an error on the amount that was lost, it is 200,000 per every two years and they would correct that to say 100,000 per year.
Does he still get to keep the entire $113,469?
Most municipal airports break even at best, and many cost cities money in terms of the direct outlay. But like many services provided by cities, airports provide a benefit to residents that offsets the cost. The report estimated that the Albany Airport generates about $6 million in economic activity annually. That return should also be considered in the larger picture. As just one example, Gordon Trucking recently expanded in Millersburg adding 15 new jobs to the local economy. They have 15 locations in western states. They operate a corporate aircraft out of Albany Airport. Many businesses factor access to a small airport in their decision of where to locate.
Let’s see the exact data, 6 million generated? Take a long walk through the park anyday and watch the activity. Literally nothing for hours with a few residents subsidized for their hobby. The majority of residents get no value from this debacle. The site has freeway access for commercial viability, has the fairgrounds and numerous hotels, and could be multiuse. Keep the airport if you must but remove half or more of the unused hangers and develop the west side. Why let Woodburn get all the retail outlets?
The 6 million figure was an estimate from Eco Northwest (the firm the city hired). Corporate aircraft use the Albany Airport on a regular basis. That doesn’t necessarily mean every day though. This activity supports local economic growth that we all benefit from in the form of spending, jobs, and tax revenue.
Albany is the 11th largest city in Oregon. All other cities of similar or larger size that are not in metro areas (with large airports) have their own airport. It’s common for companies to consider local services like airport infrastructure when evaluating new areas to expand into.
Also, just one clarification, as far as I know there are no unused hangars.