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Vendor requirements at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin, TX. AUS. Sponsor: City of Austin (Department of Aviation)

At Austin-Bergstrom the Director of Aviation authorizes all business on the airport, and operators need a written lease or a "Commercial Operating Permit" from the City before starting. Independent repair technicians need their own permit, and a business subleasing from an FBO needs written Director approval plus its own permit. Repair and maintenance providers carry $10M general liability and $5M auto for AOA vehicles, with City of Austin as additional insured.

Partly published Checked against the published sources Last reviewed

Permit to operate

Commercial Operating Permit (or written Lease), issued by City of Austin Department of Aviation (Director of Aviation, under Austin City Code Section 17-2-21).

Fee: Fee amounts not published in the standards. Rentals, fees and charges are set in the lease or permit, with a security deposit of at least three months of fees and charges.

The standards say independent repair technicians and flight instructors need their own permits and pay the applicable permit fee. A provider leasing from another tenant (not the City) operates under a permit with a one-year term, then month-to-month. Fueling is limited to operators that provide every FBO minimum service, so a specialized provider cannot fuel aircraft.

Insurance minimums

CoverageMinimumApplies to
General liabilityFlight training, aircraft sales and aircraft rental carry $1M. Charter and air taxi carry $20M. Includes $5K medical expense, independent contractors coverage and blanket contractual liability. $10M per occurrence; $10M products and completed operations Aviation shop repair (radios, painting, upholstery, propellers, instruments, accessories) and airframe and powerplant repair
Business auto liability$1M for flight training, sales and rental. $5M combined single limit Repair and maintenance providers using vehicles in the AOA
Aircraft liabilityNon-owned aircraft liability $10M. $10M per occurrence Aviation shop repair and airframe and powerplant repair
Hangarkeepers liability $2M All specialized service categories
Workers compensation and employer's liability Statutory; employer's liability $1M each accident / $1M disease policy limit / $1M disease each employee All operators

Endorsements and policy terms

  • City of Austin named as additional insured (auto on form TE 9901B)
  • Waiver of subrogation (waiver of transfer of rights of recovery) in favor of the City
  • 30 days notice of cancellation (auto on form TE 0202A)
  • Insurers licensed in Texas with A.M. Best rating of B+VII or better; A- or better for hazardous materials coverage

Vehicles and ramp driving

  • Customer vehicles are not allowed on the AOA.
  • Operator vehicles on the AOA must follow airport rules and carry a working two-way aeronautical radio and an operating rotating beacon or FAA-approved flag.
  • The airport may charge training, licensing and AOA driving fees (amounts not stated).

Training

  • Most specialized categories require at least two years of experience in that service.
  • Airframe and powerplant repair operators must apply for FAA Part 145 repair station certification and obtain it within six months, and keep at least one FAA-certificated A&P mechanic on duty during normal business hours. Aviation shop repair requires FAA repair station certificates and certified repairmen for radio, instrument or propeller work.

Fees

  • No percentage of gross or flat vendor fee is published in the standards. Fees are set in each lease or permit.
  • Security deposit of at least three months of fees and charges.

Working under an FBO or tenant

Subleasing from an FBO requires the Director's written approval and the sublessee must still get its own permit, so working under an FBO does not replace the City permit. An FBO may subcontract a service only with the Director's prior written consent, and the FBO stays responsible for the work of the subcontractor. The standards are written around providers who keep facilities on the airport; how the City handles purely mobile vendors (detailers, caterers, mobile mechanics) beyond the stated rule for independent technicians is not spelled out.

What we could not confirm

  • The minimum standards are undated; the published amendment carries a 2002 adoption line. These are old documents and may not match current practice.
  • Aircraft cleaning and detailing, catering, and mobile maintenance are not listed as specialized service categories. Interior and exterior aircraft washing appears only as an FBO line service. Which permit and insurance limits the City applies to a stand-alone cleaning vendor is not stated.
  • Commercial Operating Permit fees and application process were not found.
  • Badging office procedures, badge fees, fingerprinting and SIDA or AOA training details for AUS were not found online.
  • The Airport Procedures Manual (AOA driving and operating rules) could not be read; the host blocked access.
  • The Rules for Ground Transportation Service Providers PDF had no readable text, so car service permit terms are unknown.
  • No aircraft washing or stormwater rules for vendors were found.

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