Flying high: Tweaks to Jax Aviation Authority move through City Council Committee process

A newly branded “Jacksonville Aviation & Aerospace Authority” may come to pass sooner rather than later.

The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee unanimously approved the name change on Monday.

If Rules does the same Monday afternoon, it will be added to the Consent Agenda for Oct. 14.

City Council Vice President Nick ^[1]Howland’s^[2] 2025-0693^[3] would, if passed by the whole Council, express support for Local Bill J-2.

If the state Legislature passes that bill next year, it would modify the Charter by changing the Jacksonville Aviation Authority^[4]’s name.

The economic development of Cecil Airport will also become part of the JAA’s responsibilities.

Among the changes in the bill, it also requires that one member be appointed by the Mayor and another member appointed by the Governor, who shall be from the aerospace and related industries.

It would also compel the authority to produce an economic development plan for Cecil Airport as part of its annual budget.

“City Council and the Duval Delegation both recognize Cecil Field’s enormous potential as a job growth engine for NE Florida. JAA owns Cecil and our J-Bill simply updates the City Charter to enumerate JAA’s responsibility for Aerospace industry economic development there.”

Howland believes that Otto Aerospace’s^[5] launch at Cecil, coupled with the independent agency’s strong cash position, means JAA should be more aggressive in pursuing projects at the former Naval base.

“Our motivation here is simple: create jobs for Jacksonville families,” he adds.

Per the City Council bill summary, the proposed “changes reflect JAA’s unique position and responsibility to look beyond just the aviation needs of the region,” given its “pursuit of a Federal Aviation Administration reentry license for Cecil Spaceport at Cecil Airport along with potential development of a ‘space vehicle facility.’”