FBO monopoly

[Tom-D]

According to the FAA Airport Compliance Manual (FAA Order 5190.6B ), it is legal if the airport operator provides economic justification to the FAA that there isn't sufficient business to keep two FBO's operating. Salisbury MD is one where that has been done. The airport operator must lease the concession via a competitive bidding system, but once bid, the FBO is protected from destructive competition until the next bid cycle.

Para 8.8 and 8.9 of this manual http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/publications/orders/compliance_5190_6/media/5190_6b_chap8.pdf
gives the airport the ability to restrict the tenants from any operations deemed by the airport management as not appropriate to the building they are occupying.

PAE has this policy in place, to protect the two maintenance facilities from independent service providers like you and me to operate in any storage hangar. Any and all service such as CFIs and A&Ps provide must be authorized by the airport manager and they will not give their permission stating the hangars are for storage of aircraft and not equipped for any other use.