Pilots can once again fuel up at Niagara District Airport and they'll be doing so at a cheaper rate, the airport manager says.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake airport sent users into a tailspin when it stopped offering fuel on Jan. 1 due to an ownership paperwork delay, but the pumps started flowing again this week.
Airport manager Kenn Moody said the airport commission officially took over fuel dispensing from Imperial Oil on Monday - three days ahead of schedule - and delivered its first fuel that afternoon to the St. Catharines Flying Club.
The airport is going into the fuel dispensing business because it had the highest prices in southern Ontario, Moody said.
At times, the airport was selling fuel for 15 cents per litre higher than other airports, such as in Welland.
"It was driving the price-conscious aviator away from the airport," Moody said, adding the airport wanted to be more competitive and attract more flyers.
A small, private aircraft, such as that used by the St. Catharines flying club, can burn 40 litres of fuel an hour.
The commission bought the holding tanks at the airport and the fuel inside from Imperial Oil, which had been offering the fuel service since 1997.
The airport will now purchase unbranded fuel from Imperial Oil or other organizations based on the best deal.
On Wednesday, it was able to offer fuel at $1.35 a litre, compared with $1.61 a litre on Dec. 31.
However, Moody said the cost of oil has fluctuated in the last few weeks and should also be factored into the cost difference.
Besides saving users money, Moody said the airport will make more revenue from fuel sales. Moody said the airport previously made five cents a litre and that could double with the new business.
The revenues are used toward operations such as snowblowing equipment.
While general users will welcome any fuel price cuts, the St. Catharines Flying Club has expressed concerns it might end up paying more because the club had a bulk purchasing deal with Imperial Oil.
Flying club manager Mike Neave said the club was saving 50 to 60 cents per litre from the deal.
The club is a big user, buying a third of the fuel at the airport for its three planes.
Neave said they've had discussions with the airport and are awaiting any news from its commission.
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