Port board OKs air charter company lease
12/20/2012The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority board of directors has approved leasing a hangar at Toledo Express Airport to a California-based air charter company that provides passenger, cargo, and air-ambulance flights.
Sierra West Airlines, based in Oakdale, Calif., will pay $52,560 a year, plus a 3 percent annual escalator, for use of a 17,550-square-foot hangar formerly used by BD Aeroworks. The lease is for 30 years, plus two 10-year options.
As part of the deal, the port authority will make up to $100,000 worth of improvements to the hangar to improve its energy efficiency. Sierra West may terminate the lease if it builds its own hangar at the airport.
Sierra West's fleet consists primarily of small jets. Port officials said the company already provides for-hire charter services on behalf of Grand Aire, an aviation services company at Toledo Express.
The port directors' vote today to approve the lease was 11-0, with two board members absent.