Centerlines - June 2008 - (Page 32)

A IR S E R V I C E R E C R U I T M E N T Authority, which lost 23 ﬂights a day when Skybus shut down. In January, JetBlue Airways took its planes and ﬁve ﬂights a day out of the Port Columbus International Airport, a year after moving in. “They had a 75 percent load factor, but they didn’t feel that it was worth staying and ﬁghting for more,” said David Whitaker, vice president of business development and communications. “There are exceedingly difﬁcult industry conditions at the moment. Is hanging on to what you have a good strategy? In this environment, absolutely,” Whitaker said. “Virtually every other carrier has announced some form of capacity reduction, indicating a need to retrench domestic service. The goal is to ﬂy the same number of passengers with fewer planes.” said Kevin Schorr, managing director for TranSystems Corp., in Alexandria, Va. “Three months ago airlines were not taking new aircraft. Now they are saying that they are returning aircraft and discontinuing routes.” But while the Columbus setbacks stung, Whitaker spoke to the ongoing importance of identifying where customers are ﬂying that the airport does not yet offer service, then seeking out carriers. “The number-one best practice is to know your audience [the carrier] and customize your message. Know your market and your airlines. I hear criticisms from airlines that airports make pitches that are not consistent with their strategy or business plan. There are more than a few stories out there from airlines that they have had some odd conversations with airports.” Airport-funded advertising showcases tenants’ services. Columbus airport helps airlines form good relations with corporations. involvement is also a critical, and sometimes-overlooked part of a successful air service recruitment strategy. “If you are an airport that is clearly within the sights of a big, established low cost carrier, I am a big proponent of the community spending the money and effort to attract that carrier to your city. The payoff is huge in terms of increased Information Is Power Maintaining service is becoming a larger part of airports’ strategies, Strategies for Success Incentive packages, once rare, are more common these days, Antolini said. Community With greater access to 4 million passengers, you’re gonna need bigger planes. Or more ﬂights. Solutions That Move People The aviation experience doesn’t start at takeoff and doesn’t end at landing. TranSystems’ solutions embrace engineering excellence, architectural beauty and the minute-to-minute experience of the end-user in equal measure every step of the way. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is the preeminent air service gateway to Northern Ohio’s over 4 million residents. We’re also centrally located within 500 miles of 43% of the U.S. population and 49% of U.S. employment and manufacturing. With our brand-new airline incentive program and new non-airline revenue initiatives, there’s never been a better time to ﬂy to CLE. www.clevelandairport.com Contact: Todd F. Payne Chief, Marketing & Air Service Development (216) 265-6790/tpayne@clevelandairport.com Steven Tafuro 800-800-5261 www.transystems.com 32 CENTERLINES | JUNE 2008 http://www.transystems.com http://www.clevelandairport.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Centerlines - June 2008

Centerlines - June 2008 Contents President’s Message Canadian Airports Associates’ Corner Guest Column On the Hill and On the Stump Policy Center Cover Story: Hotter Than Last July? Revenue Arena: Building Non-Aeronautical Revenue Environment: Wind Turbines at Boston Logan Passenger Focus: Des Moines Deals with the Iowa Caucuses Safety and Security: Inline Explosives Detection Systems Air Service Recruitment: Holding on to What You’ve Got On Management: Managing Capital Programs Now Underway Grand Opening Conference Previews and Reviews New Members Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com Box Scores

Centerlines - June 2008

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