The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is rejecting assertions by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) that FBOs are unfairly profiting from excessive ramp fees and fuel pricing. ​In the article, “AOPA Battling Excessive FBO Fees,” the organization faulted FBOs at publicly funded airports for not providing “unfettered ramp access” to general aviation users.

In rebuttal, NATA insists that the basis for AOPA’s complaints is invalid. “The AOPA effort is particularly disappointing as it continues a pattern of contradictory assertions designed to alleviate industry concerns while it pursues an economic regulatory agenda,” stated NATA president Martin Hiller. “While AOPA claims to support FBOs and the free market, there is no recognition of the fact that some locations require different pricing models.”

The AOPA article is based on a closed-door presentation the organization made to the FAA, requesting agency oversight of the industry. The FAA then offered the presentation to NATA for comment. “Incredibly, AOPA chose to attack the FAA for asking stakeholders to comment on its call for economic regulation of FBOs and even criticized NATA for bringing its covert eleven-month campaign to others' attention,” Hiller added.