ROCHELLE — Rochelle Municipal Airport traffic doubled from 8,000 in 2015 to 16,000 in 2016, according to a report given by manager Mike Hudetz at a recent City Council meeting.

In an update to council members, Hudetz, along with Jason Anderson, Economic Development Director for Rochelle, explained they are working to improve the airport’s revenue while decreasing operating costs. One of those mentioned was the reprogramming of the runway lighting system, resulting in an average savings of $500 a month.

Some of the examples of aircraft landing at the airport include crop dusters, war planes, light sport, and helicopters as well as general aviation planes.

“Since we’ve extended the runway to 5001 feet, we’ve had a significant increase in jet traffic, which was the intention,” Anderson said. “We’ve also seen a significant amount of helicopter traffic to buy fuel, and also to enjoy the Flight Deck.”

Land and building leases, according to Anderson, have seen an annual increase in revenue of $21,000. Fuel sales have also increased 10 percent from 2015 to 2016.

“We are looking at how we can continue to be competitive with our fuel prices while at the same time have a margin that makes us money,” Anderson added.

Currently sealcoating operations are being done in several areas of the airport. Hudetz explained this project was approved already, and the sealcoating is meant to preserve the areas not being refurbished within the next five years.

An area of concern is the airport hangars, which were installed in 1963. Hudetz reported the four structures of six hangars each were estimated to last 30 years. High winds have caused the doors to collapse, planes have been damaged, and they are not immune to animals and dust.

Costs to replace a hangar with a new steel structure, including paving and electrical work are about $400,000 each.

“Before we get to the point of putting those hangars up, we know we have to have positive cash flows and a mortgage set up with payments less than the money we have coming in for rent,” Anderson said. “We need to have interested tenants available ready to go into that hangar.”

Hudetz said there are two projects on tap for Sept. 2018 after the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hosts a U.S. National Skydiving meet. Center ramps will be replaced along with refurbishing the taxiways.

“It’s a great airport we have here, I’m just trying to maintain it and make it better,” said Hudetz.

Hudetz has been the airport manager for over a year.