Centerlines - June 2008 - (Page 7)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Fasten Your Seatbelts: Turbulent Times Ahead I T ’ S N O T A N understatement to say that the summer will be a centerlines Airports Council International– North America 1775 K Street NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 293-8500 www.aci-na.org ® challenging one for airports, with the aviation industry in a state of flux. Just consider the changing environment: • Oil prices trading above $100 per barrel since mid-March. • In the last several months, at least four airlines have stopped ﬂ ying and another is now operating in bankruptcy. • The pending merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could change the competitive landscape, creating a new No. 1 carrier. Other carriers may follow suit. • Delta, American, United, AirTran and even Southwest have announced capacity reductions or have delayed expansion plans. • Delta, United and Frontier, among others, are cutting back on the number of ﬂights by regional carriers, especially those by 50-seaters. What will the airlines challenges mean for airports in the months ahead? While my crystal ball is somewhat foggy, we know that airports have proven to be adept and ﬂexible in working with the airlines during difﬁcult times in the past. Consider the efforts put forth by the airports to help the carriers after 9/11 or during the bankruptcies earlier in the decade. Airports are already discussing what might be needed to not only preserve air service but to add new price and service competition for their passengers. Many are already mobilizing their local business and tourism communities to build support. If oil prices stay at record levels, the local community may need to understand that higher airfares may be the norm. In these turbulent times, it may be a challenge to keep travelers ﬂying at higher fares in order to demonstrate to the carriers that there is still a demand for the service. (See related story on page 31.) ACI-NA is working to help you. We know that you are focused on preserving your air service, and we continue to lobby Congress to maintain and increase funding for the Small Community Air Service Development and Essential Air Service programs. We are also working with Congress on next year’s appropriations for Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and Transportation Security Administration to ensure the necessary funding to safely and efﬁciently move passengers through your airport. I would also encourage you to attend and participate in our annual JumpStart® Air Service Development program. This year consider attending the helpful air service marketing sessions in the days that proceed the JumpStart sessions. The Marketing and Communications Conference and JumpStart take place in Pittsburgh on June 22-25. Please feel free to call me with other suggestions on how we can help you during these turbulent times. G R E G P R I N C I PA T O P R E S I DE N T A C I- N A 2008 ACI-NA Executive Committee Randall “Randy” H. Walker Chair Clark County Department of Aviation John D. Clark III First Vice Chair Jacksonville Aviation Authority G. Hardy Acree Second Vice Chair Sacramento County Airport System Frank R. Miller Secretary-Treasurer Pensacola Regional Airport Fredrick “Rick” J. Piccolo Immediate Past Chair Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Barry Rempel Ex Officio Winnipeg Airports Authority, Inc. 2008 Board of Directors Bruce Carter Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County Benjamin R. DeCosta Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport David. N. Edwards, Jr. Asheville Regional Airport Authority Jim M. Ethridge Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Nuria I. Fernandez City of Chicago Department of Aviation Bradley S. Livingston Dane County Regional Airport William F. Marrison Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority Charles “Skip” T. Miller Louisville Regional Airport Authority Reginald K. Milley Edmonton Regional Airports Authority Stephen J. Mitchell Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Morton V. Plumb, Jr. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Mark Reis Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Lester W. Robinson Wayne County Airport Authority William R. Vanecek Buffalo Niagara International Airport Mark VanLoh Kansas City Aviation Department Joseph W. Waller HMSHost Corporation 2008 Associates Board of Directors Susan Kurland Chair Depfa First Albany Securities, LLC Robert A. Hazel Vice Chair Oliver Wyman Joseph W. Waller Immediate Past Chair HMSHost Corporation Fredrick J. (Rick) Piccolo ACI-NA Board Liaison Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Donald G. Andrews Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. Leslie K. Cappetta SSP America, Inc. Joseph DiDomizio Hudson Group Shauna Forsythe Alliance Airport Advertising Laddie E. Irion URS Deborah T. Meehan SH&E, Inc. David Naleway Mark A. Perryman Landrum & Brown, Inc. Randy D. Pope, PE Burns & McDonnell www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES 7 http://www.aci-na.org http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=108 http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=108 http://www.aci-na.org

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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