Ash County airport review highlights revenue neutrality, emergency role and future technologies

Airport staff told the Ash County Board of Commissioners on April 20 that the county-owned airport has been “revenue positive” over a long-run summary of operations, plays a key role in emergency response, and faces a changing regulatory and technology environment.

Why it matters: The airport both supports local emergency and medical airlift and brings grant-funded projects and visiting crews that generate local economic activity. Commissioners discussed near-term project priorities and longer-term uncertainty around autonomous and electric aircraft technologies.

Key financial and operational points The airport presenter summarized 14 years of data and reported a small net positive cash balance—roughly $15,000 to $17,000 a year—meaning the airport has not been a drain on the county’s general fund when averaged over that period. The presenter described three revenue categories: local operating income (fuel sales, tie-downs, hangar rent), grant funding interpreted on the income side (non-primary entitlement/NPPE grants), and property tax receipts on hangars and based aircraft.

Staff said the airport receives approximately $1 million a year in project-specific grants for capital work such as runway and taxiway projects; the presenter emphasized that grant-funded projects support local contractors, hotel stays and businesses when crews and suppliers come to the county.

Emergency response and Helene operations Airport staff recounted the airport’s role during and after Hurricane Helene, saying the field supported medical airlift, law enforcement air operations, and emergency relief flights that brought supplies and temporarily housed relief aircraft and supplies. The presenter described a peak of almost 2,500 operations in October during the event and said the largest hangar was used to stage relief supplies.

Safety and infrastructure priorities Planned and foreseeable projects discussed included obstruction removal and potential land acquisition, completion of a full-length taxiway (safety-driven), perimeter fence completion and terminal-building replacement. Staff noted cost estimates for some projects varied widely—from roughly $1 million up to $9 million for large projects—and that priorities are shaped by grant eligibility and safety need.

Future technologies and regulatory uncertainty Airport staff highlighted emerging trends that could affect facility needs: autonomous aircraft and autonomous air cargo, electrification of aircraft with uncertain charging infrastructure and power demands, and vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) air taxis. The presenter said regulations for those technologies are “evolving” and that the airport is currently in a wait-and-see posture until clearer standards and infrastructure requirements emerge.

Service capacity and operational notes Staff estimated that, as configured today, the airport could safely handle roughly 30–40 passengers on a single aircraft in special circumstances and that larger business jets such as Gulfstreams have used the field. The presenter said upgrades to terminal and emergency-response resources would be needed for any sustained passenger service beyond current use levels.

Quotes from the presentation - On finances, the airport presenter said: “The airport is revenue positive.” - On future regulation: “They’re evolving.” (referring to autonomous aircraft rules)

Next steps and questions from commissioners Commissioners asked about debris cleanup, taxiway completion, and whether the airport should pursue extension beyond the current 5,003-foot runway. Staff said extensions are possible but could change the airport’s classification and grant priorities. Staff recommended continuing to pursue mid-field taxiway completion and perimeter fence work using available grant programs.

Public record and documents Staff provided the board with an annual review document from the N.C. Department of Transportation Aviation Division that outlines recent operational statistics and project lists. The presentation will be included in the county’s meeting record for April 20, 2025.

No formal board vote was recorded on capital projects during the presentation; commissioners directed staff to continue planning and grant-seeking.