3 min read April 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Heather Bay, CEO and airport manager of Direct Flight Solutions LLC, which manages the Lebanon Municipal Airport, discussed the multifaceted growth and future vision of the facility, emphasizing the critical role of collaborative efforts. Bay highlighted the airport’s substantial contribution to the local economy through job creation, support of the hospitality sector, and enhancement of tax revenues. “This airport is another highway exit, but potent as a catalyst for economic impact,” said Bay.
What has driven the growth at Lebanon Municipal Airport?
The growth we’ve experienced cannot be attributed to a single factor. It’s a result of various complex elements. In 2015, the state of Tennessee, the city of Lebanon, and the FAA collaborated to build the last 17 T hangars at the airport with state, federal, and local funding. This initiative was a part of a broader move towards self-funding by airports, focusing on utilizing available resources efficiently without overburdening taxpayers. Following this, we’ve seen an increase in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), where individuals lease land from the city to build their own hangars, a practice not only limited to Lebanon but also seen in other Middle Tennessee airports. These efforts are part of why we’ve witnessed such growth, reflecting the broader economic and infrastructural development in the region.
How is the development of the airfield going?
We currently have 59 municipal-owned hangars and 29 corporate-owned. We’re adding seven turnkey hangars soon, expected to be available in the next month or two. Additionally, we’re developing more spaces, with three areas of the airfield currently in design. One is in very preliminary stages, contemplating future development, while the first two are advancing with significant designs. These designs aim to segregate general aviation, including small aircraft, from larger jets by positioning them on opposite sides of the runway. This division results in a dedicated corporate hangar and jet area, and another section enhancing our general aviation facilities on the east side. This layout ensures safety by minimizing interactions between larger and smaller aircraft.
What role does corporate aviation play in the overall demand and operational volume?
Since COVID, we’ve observed substantial growth in corporate and charter operations. Reflecting on 2015, when we opened 17 hangars, the demand was already evident. Initially, we catered to snowbirds and had a considerable waitlist for hangar space, which has only grown — from 50 people to 150 people seeking storage for their aircraft in Middle Tennessee, particularly Lebanon, which is at maximum capacity. The upcoming seven hangars are privately owned and will be available for rent or sale. The 17 city-owned hangars established in 2015 attracted a diverse group seeking storage for various reasons, including lifestyle quality and the desire to be centrally located near family. This diversity underscores Lebanon’s appeal and explains the growing interest in our aviation facilities.
How does Lebanon’s municipal airport contribute to the local economy?
Lebanon Municipal Airport has added to the local economy, notably through job creation and a range of services. Initially recognized for supporting 269 jobs, we’re in the process of updating this figure. At one point, 139 jobs were directly linked to the airport, including various corporate hangars, flight schools, and the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) responsible for daily operations, with a staff of 25. The supply chain, encompassing fuel, tires, and other services, accounted for around 60 jobs. Additionally, the Baker School of Aeronautics, a leading FAA testing center, attracts students from across the world who stay in the area for 7 to 21 days, contributing to local hospitality and dining sectors. Beyond direct employment, the airport undertakes ongoing safety and maintenance projects, such as lighting and paving, which further the economic impact. On-site amenities include rental cars and restaurants, and the airport supports a wide array of activities from construction projects — currently, nine are underway — to visitor spending on accommodation, food, beverage, entertainment, and retail. The airport’s operations also extend to cargo, freight, and air ambulance services, enhancing both local business opportunities and tax revenues through aviation fuel taxes, functioning as a user tax to support state funds. This ecosystem not only generates direct tax revenue but also enriches the community through increased visitor spending and a broad spectrum of operational activities.
What makes Lebanon a standout destination for tourists?
The appeal of Lebanon, especially for tourists, stems from our collective efforts to leverage our prime location. Notably, Lebanon’s integration with the I-40 and our proximity to Nashville, just 17 miles away, makes it strategically significant. Located less than a mile off of I-40 and close to the city center, Lebanon offers visitors a high quality of life with diverse attractions. Our vibrant restaurant scene, shopping opportunities, and the beauty of all four seasons, from mild winters to our world-renowned fall foliage, enhance the visitor experience. The area’s natural beauty and its accessibility by various means of transportation, including its historical significance with the airfield dating back to the 1930s, make it uniquely appealing.
The central location of Middle Tennessee, plays a crucial role not just in tourism but in commerce and connectivity across the U.S. This strategic position has attracted businesses seeking a central base in the country, enhancing Lebanon’s role as a hub for various services, including aviation. This dual appeal for both tourists and businesses underscore Lebanon’s unique position as a community that offers both a high quality of life and significant economic opportunities.
How do you envision the airport’s operation and development by 2030?
Forward-looking, I’m keen on how we, especially my team, can shepherd this airport into 2030. With the nine private development projects in motion, it’s not just about expansion or size. It’s more nuanced. I’m looking at how we operate, integrating that magnificently unique complexity of opportunities before us. We’re at this juncture, facing a first generation truly engrossed and fluent in technology, unlike any before. My hope? To continue delivering our hallmark quality services while embracing these new waves — new services, new fuel sources, and those EV opportunities knocking today.
Do you see untapped opportunities for Lebanon Municipal Airport?
We’re on the cusp of something revolutionary. This isn’t just about air mobility or delivery; it’s about harnessing the conscious growth instilled in Generation X from a young age, alongside their technological contributions. We’re talking about embracing electric vehicles, alternative fuel sources, and the environmental strides they represent. 2030 is just a waypoint in this journey. Middle Tennessee, and by extension, Lebanon Airport, is becoming a revolving door, adapting to the ever-evolving customer needs. This airport is another highway exit, but potent as a catalyst for economic impact.
It’s this confluence of listening keenly to our customers, aligning with community partners — be it in education or safety — and recognizing the invaluable contributions of every generation that frequents our airport. From the retired aviators in our T hangers to the surge in general and business aviation post-COVID, and the individuals discovering aviation as a career or hobby right here. This diversity, this daily panorama of faces and stories, it’s what fuels my vision for what this airport represents and can evolve into by 2030 and beyond.
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