GAO Report Finds Fuel Prices Online, Fees Often Missing for General-Aviation FBOs

The Government Accountability Office released a report this month showing that online information on fuel prices at fixed-base operators (FBOs) is generally available, while required service-fee details are frequently absent, affecting private and recreational pilots who rely on that data.

GAO posed as recreational pilots in covert phone calls to 45 FBOs at 40 airports selected for size and geographic diversity. The agency then compared the price and fee information obtained by phone with that posted on the operators' websites. Fuel prices were readily posted online and usually matched the phone-based quotes; when differences occurred, they were typically less than $0.50 per gallon. By contrast, for FBOs that disclosed required fees over the phone, the online sites often omitted that information.

Representatives of several larger FBOs said they have begun centralizing price and fee updates at the corporate level to improve online transparency. However, they noted that fees for special events can vary with supply and demand, making real-time online posting difficult. Pilot groups interviewed expressed general satisfaction with fuel-price availability but raised concerns about the lack of fee data for certain services.

Federal Aviation Administration officials said they were not aware of any formal complaints, and Federal Trade Commission staff reported no administrative actions or enforcement decisions related to FBO pricing transparency. The study was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directs GAO to assess FBO efforts to improve online price and fee disclosure.

The findings highlight a gap in the information ecosystem for general-aviation users and suggest that further standardization of fee reporting could reduce reliance on phone inquiries and improve trip planning efficiency.