Improving Fabens airport could take longer; UTEP wants access by April 2017
El Paso County Commissioners Monday received an update on plans to improve the Fabens Airport, a process that could take longer than expected.
The county’s deal with UTEP to bring aerospace development projects to the far east airport is still on, but more work needs to be done to ensure basic operations like small airplane flights, crop dusting, and refueling services remain at the airport.
The Fabens Airport is located just off I-10 at Fabens Exit 49. The joint announcement in October between the county and UTEP gave the 400 acre patch of FAA-approved space a bright new future. The county received a draft lease from UTEP Thursday. It’s expected to be finalized late next week.
Monday, commissioners received an update from the public works department on the steps needed to make that vision a reality.
Commissioners learned updating overall operational policies to meet current recommendations from the Texas Department of Transportation might take a little longer, meaning getting a new airport fixed-base operator may take until February or March. A fixed-base operator provides services that planes using the airport need, essentially managing regular day-to-day operations.
“They’re working on refining some of the operational aspects of the (request for proposals),” said Commissioner Vince Perez. “But negotiations are still moving forwards, so they can just fine-tune it to present it to court once it’s ready to go.”
UTEP wants to be given full access to the airport by April 2017. The overall plan is to add two new facilities to the small airport within six years, including an aerospace and design studio.
