Pilots make high-consequence decisions every day. Selecting where, and how, you base your aircraft should be no different. At MLB Melbourne Orlando International Airport, the decision to lease or own a hangar is more than a logistical question. It’s a capital strategy. One with long-term tax, control, and asset implications.
Let’s compare both paths.
Leasing: Short-Term Flexibility, Long-Term Limits
Leasing a hangar may initially appeal to new aircraft owners or corporate flight departments not ready to commit to a specific location. You avoid the upfront capital outlay and can often access existing infrastructure quickly.
However, that convenience comes at a cost:
- Average lease rates at major Florida airports like MLB now range from $1.75–$2.25 per square foot per month, depending on the hangar’s size and features.
- Lessees often face limits on interior upgrades, signage, or usage. Want to add a shower or loft? Not without the landlord’s approval.
- Many leases prohibit subleasing or shared ownership, restricting your operational flexibility.
- Waitlists at top-tier airports can delay access for 12–36 months. In some cases, pilots miss full seasons waiting for space.
Leasing may offer breathing room, but not autonomy.
Ownership: Control, Equity, and Strategic Leverage
At Sabal Aviation’s development at MLB, hangar ownership delivers more than real estate. It’s a financial instrument.
1. Appreciation & Scarcity
Hangar prices in Florida have risen steadily, with an average annual appreciation of 8.7% over the past 5 years. At airfields with constrained build space like MLB, that trend accelerates. Owning now locks in today’s price before future supply dries up.
2. Tax Strategy
Hangars may qualify for accelerated depreciation via Section 179 or bonus depreciation for business owners. Capital improvements are deductible, and interest on financed purchases can be written off for qualifying businesses.
3. Customization
Want LED lighting? A pilot lounge? An aircraft maintenance lift? Done. Ownership means no approvals. You control the layout, systems, and upgrades.
4. Income Potential
Unused hangar space can be subleased (if allowed by airport regulations), creating cash flow from a passive aviation asset. Rates at MLB range from $2,500–$5,000 per month for subleased private hangar space, depending on aircraft size.
5. Exit Strategy
Unlike a lease, your ownership can be sold, transferred, or held as equity. It’s not an expense, it’s a capital asset.
At Sabal Aviation, our clients aren’t just buying hangars. They’re buying autonomy. At MLB Melbourne Orlando International Airport, the value of control is rising, because in aviation, predictability is priceless.
Explore available custom hangar units at MLB here.
