As tenants on airport property, FBOs can partner with their landlords and reap benefits that enable them to edge out competitors, which might lease facilities from the same airport.

FBOs nationwide are asking whether that are fairly represented in the leasing process. That big question is being asked, in part, because of issues raised publicly by Paul Fournet Air Service Inc., which was unable to renew its lease at Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana last year. As property values around airports continue to rise, FBOs are seeing these fluctuations seep into property negotiations and contracts, which are often created by airport authorities. Dealing with airport authorities is one of the top five challenges facing members of the Independent Fixed Base Operators Association (IFBOA), said John Wraga, the organization’s executive director.