Letter: Why Loyds was chosen as Paso Robles Airport’s FBO
To the editor,
– I am writing to provide clarification and understanding about the recent decision concerning the fixed base operator (FBO) for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. It’s a concerning issue for North County residents and is important to understand the diligent process and considerations that led to this decision of choosing Loyds as the FBO.
Two proposals were submitted for consideration, one from ACI and the other from Loyds Aviation. Both companies demonstrated the financial capability to meet the necessary service requirements and had proposed improvements at the airport. The selection process involved careful evaluation by three separate committees. Initially a nine-member proposal review committee assessed and ranked the proposals based on established criteria in the Request for Proposal (RFP). In this evaluation, Loyd’s Aviation emerged as the preferred choice earning 91.9 points compared to ACI’s 86.8 points. The committee vote favored Loyds by a margin of 5 to 4.
Following this, a seven-member interview committee affirmed Loyd suitability based on their positive customer service reputation, cultural alignment with Paso Robles, attentiveness to general aviation operations and adherence to RFP specifics. The interview committee favored Loyd Aviation by a vote of 4 to 3.
Finally, the ad hoc committee, (comprised of members from both the proposal review and interview committees, along with two members of the city council), requested additional insight and ultimately voted 3-1 in favor of Loyd’s Aviation. It is important to note that ACI’s proposal contained violation of established rules, including a potential breach of FAA regulations. ACI wanted to commit large portions of the airport property for future development at a lower cost with no clear timeline, and approach that contradicts FAA rules.
In contrast, Loyd’s proposal was compliant with the RFP and featured a phase development plan that would not necessitate relocation of the fuel station. There leasing structure was that airport parking fee would be set by the city, with 85% of revenues allocated to the city and only 15% to Loyds. Additionally, Loyd’s planned to establish a maintenance shop utilizing existing local personnel for further support community engagement.
Concerns regarding ACI were highlighted by their history of legal disputes specifically related to cease and desist letters were issued in relation to their activities with the city of Paso Robles, on November 12, 2019 and August 14, 2023.
In conclusion, while the proposals for both companies were closely rated, both firms were capable of servicing all types of aircraft, including general, aviation and jets, encompassing, domestic and foreign military aircraft. The bottom line is all three committees, supported Loyds as the FBO.
Ultimately, the city council voted 3-1 to enter negotiations with Loyds Aviation to be the next FBO for the Paso Robles airport. Mayor John Hamon recused himself for the entire discussion out of an abundance of caution due to a potential conflict of interest.
Choosing Loyd’s Aviation ensures compliance with regulations while fostering growth and service at the Paso Robles airport and was the correct choice based on the process.
Linda Becker
Paso Robles
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