Airport Land Acquisition: Release of Airport Property

Owner Requests

Any release, modification, reformation, or amendment of an airport agreement between the owner and the United States must be based on a request made in writing and signed by a duly authorized official of the public agency that owns the airport.

Number of Copies

The airport owner should submit one copy of materials to the appropriate FAA Airports Regional Office.

Content of Owner's Written Request

Although no special form is required, an owner's request should be specific, as applicable and known. Please include the following in your request:

  • What is requested.
  • What agreement(s) with the United States are involved.
  • Why the release, modification, reformation, or amendment is requested.
  • What facts and circumstances justify the request.
  • What requirements of state or local law or ordinance should be provided for in the language of an FAA-issued document if the request is consented to or granted.
  • What property or facilities are involved.
  • How the property was acquired or obtained by the airport owner.
  • What is the present condition and what present use is made of any property or facilities involved.
  • What use or disposition will be made of the property or facilities.
  • What is the appraised fair market value of the property or facilities. Appraisals or other evidence required to establish fair market value.
  • What proceeds are expected from the use or disposition of the property and what will be done with any net revenues derived.
  • A comparison of the relative advantage or benefit to the airport from sale or other disposition as opposed to retention for rental income.

Exhibits to Be Furnished by Owner

Each request should have a scaled drawing attached showing all airport property and airport facilities that are currently obligated for airport purposes by agreements with the United States. Other exhibits supporting or justifying the request--such as maps, photographs, plans, and appraisal reports--should be attached, as appropriate.

Airport Layout Plan

A revised Airport Layout Plan (ALP) must be prepared that reflects the changes to land areas and airport facilities attendant to this action. Accompanying this drawing(s) should be a brief narrative that outlines the rationale used in arriving at the revised plan ( i.e., crosswind coverage with only the N/S and NW/SE runways, taxiing patterns to be established, how clearance lines were established, and what kind of aircraft and numbers of operations were assumed in preparing the plan).

Releases of Maintenance Obligations Requests Do Not Require Items I, J, and K

Airport sponsors should direct questions about a sponsor's request for release of airport property to the appropriate FAA Airports Regional Office.

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Last updated: Thursday, September 15, 2022