Airport fees ready to ascend

County supervisors could raise flight and rental car charges to pay for new terminal, parking and airfield.Orange County Supervisors will vote today on whether to charge new fees at John Wayne Airport -- $4.50 per departing traveler and $10 per car rental contract -- to help pay for $512 million in expansions and upgrades to the airport’s facilities.

While the $4.50 passenger fee hasn’t drawn much complaint, Supervisor Jim Silva said he’s afraid the car rental charge would discourage tourism.

The expansion plan includes a new passenger terminal with six gates, 2,500 new parking spots and replacement of one parking structure, more valet parking facilities, and an expansion of the airfield to create more overnight parking for aircraft. Those additions are allowed by the legal agreement that governs airport operations.

Paying for the work will likely mean a combination of airport revenues and reserve funds, federal grants and revenue bonds. The passenger and car rental fees would raise the bulk of the money.

The passenger fee, added to the price of a ticket to depart from John Wayne Airport, would raise about $300 million over about 15 years and could be charged beginning in July 2006. The car rental fee would be charged for three and a half years and is expected to bring in $14 million.

While supervisors will consider several combinations of funding, the recommendation would add both new fees. Silva said the passenger facility charge seems like the best choice, and it’s already widespread. Airport officials have said John Wayne Airport is one of just six midsized to large airports that don’t charge such a fee.

Airport spokeswoman Courtney Wiercioch said few people responded to a request for public comment on the passenger fee. She doesn’t expect travelers to bat an eye at $4.50, and some people using the airport on Monday agreed.

“It’s a painless way for people to pay for things and not tax the locals,” said Rob Chamberlin, who was waiting to fly back to the Bay area Monday after a business trip. “I wouldn’t love it, but honestly probably wouldn’t notice it.”

But instead of the car rental fee, Silva prefers extending the passenger facility fee for a few more years.

“I think when you start nickel-and-diming people who come here on vacation, I think it can be a definite negative factor,” he said.

“Half the people that rent cars here are on business and the other half are here for a vacation destination, and I think it would hurt the county overall to charge that $10 fee.”

One holiday traveler had another take on the passenger fee -- if the airport facilities are going to be expanded, allow more flights.

“Today it’s all about cost, so if it was minimal, it’s OK, because I do think expansion is necessary,” said Shearon O’Donnell, who now lives in Phoenix but once lived in Southern California. “I also think they need to lift some of the regulations.”