County To Ask Military for Transfer of Airport Ownership

One Florida Panhandle county is asking the military to transfer ownership of its regional airport.

The Northwest Florida Daily News reports that the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is the main commercial airport for travelers in that region, but it sits on land owned by Eglin Air Force Base. Okaloosa County claims it can no longer afford the $400,000 annual lease payment it makes to the Air Force and still compete with other regional airports for service by major airlines.

The county says it will be able to develop the airport and make more money to support the airport if the military will transfer ownership of the property to the county.

Officials say any change in ownership of the land will involve lengthy negotiations between local and military officials.