Long Beach Airport To Offer Financial Subsidy To Offset Fuel Costs

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach Airport will implement a new subsidy program to encourage general aviation users to transition to unleaded fuel from leaded fuel.

The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the subsidy program in an effort to further push the aviation industry to use more environmentally friendly gas to power planes. the program doesn't apply to commercial ad business jets, as they already use unlead fuel.

"By subsidizing the transition to unleaded fuel, Long Beach Airport is leading the way on this pressing national issue,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We began down this path in October 2022 and we are proud to take this next step. We know this environmental issue is of great concern to our community and we’re proud to play a leading role in enacting change in the aviation industry.”

Unleaded 94-grade fuel has been available at the Long Beach Airport since August 2023 and can be $2 to $4 more expensive than leaded gas. The subsidy program will allow fule providers to sell unleaded gas at lower prices, encouraging the overall price to go down as demand increases, the city said.

With City Council approval, airport staff will begin to implement the program with $200,000 in reimbursements available for fuel expenses, covered by airport revenue.

“We appreciate City Council’s support in taking local actions to reduce lead emissions far in advance of the goal set by the federal government,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “We are actively listening to our community and committed to being an environmental leader.”