Google Developing Its Own $82 Million Private Airport
Mineta San Jose International Airport officials are urging the city to approve construction of an $82 million facility that would house jets flown by Google executives.
The proposed 29-acre facility would sit on the airport’s west side and accommodate Google’s and other clients’ jets. It would be developed and managed by Signature Flight Support.
“We’re pleased that the evaluation process for the development of Mineta San José International Airport’s West Side is now complete, and the recommended outcome will prove to be incredibly prosperous for SJC, the City of San José, and Silicon Valley,” he said in a statement.
The companies would be granted a 50-year lease and pay an estimated $2.6m in annual rent, along with an estimated $400,000 in fuel-flow fees and between $70,000 and $300,000 in new taxes. The proposed buildings would provide 376 direct and indirect jobs (although only 36 permanent ones), and the companies have promised that the project will be constructed to the highest environmental standards.
“Now, our focus must be the proposed private development and $82 million investment of the West Side by Signature Flight Support, to support the private aviation needs of local high-tech and other companies, most notably the personal aircraft of the principals at Google,” Director of Aviation Bill Sherry said in the statement.