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KABE

Vendor requirements at Lehigh Valley International Airport

Allentown, PA. ABE. Sponsor: Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority

Any aeronautical business at ABE, including aircraft cleaning and washing, needs a written agreement approved by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, whether or not you are based on the field. The Authority runs the airport's FBO itself, so there is no private FBO to work under. The number to plan around is $5M general liability, plus a $500 application fee and a $1,500 annual use fee.

Published requirements Checked against the published sources Last reviewed

Permit to operate

Written Agreement for Commercial Aeronautical Activity, issued by Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Fee: $500 application fee for business operators, credited to the first month if approved; $1,500 annual airport use fee for most categories

Aircraft cleaning and washing falls under Other Aeronautical Functions (SASO). SASOs must provide a staffing plan and an emergency contact, and file FAA certificates for new hires within two weeks. Through-the-fence operations are prohibited.

Insurance minimums

CoverageMinimumApplies to
General liability $5M combined single limit and each accident All operators
Products and completed operations $1M combined single limit All operators
Hangar keepers liabilityListed in the single table that applies to all operators unless stated. $1M combined single limit All operators
Fire damage liability $500K combined single limit All operators
Motor vehicle liability $1M combined single limit Operators using vehicles on the airport
Workers compensation Pennsylvania statutory limit All operators
Aircraft liability $1M general aggregate Operators with owned aircraft only

Endorsements and policy terms

  • The Authority named as additional insured
  • Waiver of subrogation in favor of the Authority
  • 30 days notice of cancellation, material change or non-renewal sent to the Executive Director
  • Insurer rated at least A VIII by A.M. Best, or an acceptable equivalent
  • Each policy primary and non-contributory
  • Private vehicles in the AOA must show proof of insurance naming the Authority as additional insured

Badging and security

  • Get the appropriate badge from the Authority or be escorted.
  • In the SIDA and sterile areas, display the badge above the waist and below the neck on your outermost garment; in the AOA, produce it on request.
  • Do not lend or alter badges. Report a lost badge to the Airport Operations Center; a reissue fee applies.
  • Only holders of unescorted access may escort.

Vehicles and ramp driving

  • Drivers need a valid license and an Authority-issued operator's permit.
  • Movement area access requires registration and authorization after training, a written test and a driving test.
  • Movement area vehicles need two-way radios (120.5 and 121.9 MHz, CTAF/UNICOM when the tower is closed) and an amber beacon or an orange and white checkered flag at least 36 in by 36 in.
  • Stay 25 ft in front of and 100 ft behind taxiing aircraft.
  • No campers, RVs, boat trailers or vehicle trailers on the AOA.

Training

  • Movement area driver training with a written test and a driving test.

Washing and environmental rules

  • Wash only in the areas and manner set by the Executive Director and per the Airport Stormwater Management Plan.
  • Comply with the Stormwater Management Plan, the NPDES permit and the SPCC / Spill Prevention Response Plan.
  • No dumping of fuel, oil or solvents to drains or ramps; dispose of used oil and solvents off the airport.
  • Provide the Authority a safety data sheet for each hazardous material.
  • Report every fuel spill to the Airport Operations Center. Spills over 25 gallons, not cleaned up within 24 hours, or reaching a waterway also go to PA DEP. Fuelers keep absorbent for a spill of up to 55 gallons.

Fees

  • Application fee: $500 for business operators, $150 for others.
  • Annual Airport Use Fee: $1,500 for most categories.
  • Ground handling businesses: $1,500 plus 5% of gross revenue.
  • Ground transportation operators need a written permit and pay fees including Customer Facility Charges.

Working under an FBO or tenant

The Authority operates the airport FBO, so there is no private FBO layer. Subcontracting is prohibited without extraordinary circumstances and written approval from the Executive Director, except an operator's own independent contractors or temps; subleasing needs written consent and operator insurance covering the sublessee.

What we could not confirm

  • Badge fees, fingerprinting and CHRC process, and security training were not found.
  • Detailing is not named as a category; we assume it falls with aircraft cleaning and washing under Other Aeronautical Functions. Confirm with the Authority.
  • Employer's liability was not found in the extracted insurance table.
  • The Authority still posts the 2020 Minimum Standards as of October 2026, while the Rules and Regulations were updated in 2024. Confirm no newer revision is pending.
  • Catering-specific rules were not found.

Before your first job at KABE