WOODS CROSS — Despite being the only airport in Utah to make last month's National Air Transportation Association's list of the 100 most-needed airports, Skypark Airport is facing the possibility of closure.
The airport is in danger of being phased out because of increased residential growth, limited revenue and a lack of support from the community.
"There are some who would like to see the airport shut down," said Mel Rozema, one of the airport's owners. "We've been here 60 years, and now we're the bad guys."
Rozema says in the past four years there has been significant residential development to the east of the airport, which has led to noise complaints about the airport. Some homeowners, as well as other groups, would be happy to see Skypark shut down, he says.
"Airports are not perceived by the general public as being necessary. Especially general-aviation airports," Rozema said.
However, Skypark plays a relevant role in Utah's air-transportation system, he says. It's estimated to be the fifth-busiest airport in the state and serves as a place where charter planes, student pilots, aerial photographers and helicopters can take off and land free of charge. Owners make money mainly from fuel sales. The facility also provides relief for Salt Lake City International Airport.
Woods Cross City Administrator Gary Uresk says the city is working with the airport on a master plan in hopes of finding some common ground.
"I don't think it's the intent of the city to have the airport shut down," he said. "We want to figure out how to be good neighbors to each other."
Uresk says two or three years ago the airport was struggling, and there have recently been a few conflicts with noise complaints. But the airport master plan should deal with some of those problems by detailing flight paths and figuring out the needs of the airport and the city.
Aside from Hill Air Force Base, Skypark is the only airport in Davis County. Without it there would not be a public-use airport in Davis, something residents don't currently appreciate, Rozema says.
"If it shuts down you will never see an airport in Davis County. . . . You won't miss it until you don't have it."
According to NATA, the airport is ineligible for federal funds. The airport is one of a small number of privately owned, unlimited public-use airports in the country.
Five years ago, owners tried to convince the City Council to make the airport a public entity, which would have made it easier to become eligible for some public funding. But the city turned them down, saying that many of the private plane owners did not register their planes properly and the city was losing out on taxes.
Skypark, which was built around 1940, has close to 140 hangars and saw about 50,000 takeoffs and landings in 2000. It was initially used as a training base for pilots in World War II.
Airport officials say if Woods Cross loses the airport, the impact on surrounding airports would be tremendous.
"Skypark Airport provides an economical and convenient niche for a large number of general-aviation aircraft, and effectively relieves congestion at other Salt Lake Valley airports," according to a Skypark news release.
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