Rubey: Locals discount isn’t going to cut it

I am frustrated that the county is granting a 30-year monopoly to Atlantic Aviation to price gouge local pilots.

Although the new lease provides for a “locals” discount of 25% off the Atlantic retail rate of $9.08, this is not much of a give when the “discounted price” remains almost 2 times the cost of fuel in Denver ($3.89) at Centennial. As a result of this lease provision, I (and other cost-conscious local pilots) will continue to fly to Denver to purchase fuel. Burning fuel to save money feels counter to what the county is trying to achieve with respect to the climate.

I wish the BOCC would fight for their constituents and protect the planet at the same time. The folks who work locally at Atlantic are fantastic. I am just frustrated that the county is granting a monopoly to a Dallas corporation to crush locals. The rate should be a cost plus mechanic.

The idea that public disclosure prevents this is laughable. The BOCC has the negotiating leverage to fix this and should.

Robert Rubey

Aspen