Lisa Barton

Recently I attended an informational meeting for St. Johns County real estate agents. The featured speaker was Ed Wuellner, the Executive Director of the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority. I learned that the airport was established in 1963. There have been many changes in the last 46 years and in 2008 the airport had a budget of over $11 million. Mr. Wuellner explained that capital projects make up 80% of the airport’s budget and his goal is to have the airport be self-sustaining (and off the county tax rolls) by September of 2010.

The St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport is equipped to handle all sizes of aircraft is actively marketing itself to large airlines and hopes to re-establish St. Augustine as a market area. In October of 2008, 48 new hangars were completed for private aircraft. Despite these new facilities, there is already a waiting list for hangar space and some airplane owners may have a wait 3 of years of more. Mr. Wuellner discussed some of the expansion plans and he is already looking 20 years ahead…although those plans will be driven by consumer demand. One area of expansion is a recently opened US Customs facility for general international flights, especially flights from the Bahamas. The airport is growing in an environmentally friendly manner and in 2007 was awared the Florida Environmental Award by the Florida Airport Council because the airport managed to save over 200 mature trees during its expansion efforts. The airport also earned the 2009 Business Partner of the Year which was awarded by the St. Johns County School District for its support and participation in the Aerospace Academy which is offered to high school students who attend St. Augustine High School.

Having a viable airport is a vital element to an area’s “livability”. Currently, the airport contributes to the overall local economy and employs 5% of the workforce in St. Johns County.