Centerlines - March 2009 - (Page 21) ON MANAGEMENT A passenger uses a people mover in the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Vancouver Airport Services Ltd. manages the airport, along with more than 17 others across the world. tions and commercial perspectives,” he said. In 2007, Vancouver Airport Services recorded consolidated revenues of $440 million and with combined passenger traffic of 27 million. Throughout the 18 airports, Vancouver Airport Services has invested more than $1 billion in capital improvements and financings and has turned six airports, which were operating at a loss, into profitable entities, according to Casey. “We have increased non-aeronautical revenue in almost every airport we manage and have also seen improvements in customer service to passengers and the public.” Vancouver Airport Services has been successful in a wide-range of projects, working in a wide-variety of settings, under different regulatory schemes, said Bruce Boudreau, a Jacobs Consultancy director. “They bring a well-developed commercial approach to development of non-aeronautical revenues, such as concessions, which are critically important in private airports where the aeronautical charge base is regulated and the owner must look to commercial revenues for profits.” The management company also brings a “strong commercial expertise” that they will apply well at Chicago Midway Airport. “Their strengths complement local ownership and financial investors, who have confidence in their judgment,” Boudreau said. At Midway, Casey said the initial focus will be on enhancing commercial operations. “Midway has been recognized as having excellent retail and food and beverage facilities by ACI-NA and JD Power. We intend to continue to build on this success.” The company expects to enhance retail, food and beverage, parking www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES PHOTO BY ADAM WISEMAN on the operation of these investments. Vancouver Airport Services currently operates 18 airports on three continents. Casey said the company’s operating philosophy makes it unique because “historically, airports were primarily viewed as conduits for travelers, a place to transfer through. Our approach focuses on developing airports into customer-friendly businesses that draw customers, services and amenities into the location.” As Vancouver Airport Services takes on the management of a new airport, Casey said, it “takes the best practices honed at Vancouver International Airport and adapts them to airports around the world.” The emphasis is on developing safe, clean, efficient, friendly, profitable airports with a local sense of place. The company has a “strong track record” operating its airports. “All of the ongoing operations are successful from capital expansion, opera- WHAT is DOING? ACI-NA • ACI-NA does not have a position on airport privatization. • A white paper on the FAA privatization process is on the website: http://www. aci-na.org/index/issues private primer 21 http://www.aci-na.org/index/issues http://www.aci-na.org/index/issues http://www.aci-na.org
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