Centerlines - December 2008 - (Page 18)

COLUMNTORY VER S through other sources, such as adding to its general aviation operations with existing and new fixed base operators. It also is looking at ways to enhance airline passenger service; roll-out of free WiFi and a revamped concessions program are two enhancements it hopes will keep current customers and attract new ones, particularly business travelers. Oakland also has a package of incentives for airlines coming in with new cities, including free landing fees for three months and other marketing inducements. Although times are tough, Grossman said Oakland is prepared for the future. “We’ve been making business decisions in a rather conservative way, expecting that demand and traffic would weaken as the economy weakened, so we’re actually very well-positioned as a business today,” he said. “We have always used a business model of being a low-cost airport to attract and maintain low-fare, low-cost carriers, such as Southwest and JetBlue. We continue in that mode.” Elaine Roberts, president and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority: This year the airport added extra incentives for existing and new carriers starting flights to the city’s top unserved markets. terminal, though it continues with a plan to spend $200 million over the next five years on needed upgrades to its 1962-vintage Terminal 1. All funds will come from passenger facility charges, grants and generated cash. “We are not looking at going to the market to borrow money for any of our projects,” Grossman said. “We’re really focused on living within our means.” On the flip side, Oakland is looking at ways to raise revenues Extra Incentives at Columbus Port Columbus International Airport, hard hit when Skybus Airlines ceased operations in April after 10 months, reduced its operating budget for the remainder of the year and is seeking to hold the line for 2009. “That’s usually pretty hard to do when you factor in things like utility costs are going up and our fuel costs are going up, and taxes are going up, employee benefit costs like health insurance are going up,” said Elaine Roberts, president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “Even if you don’t increase salaries or don’t hire any more people, it’s still very, very challenging to hold a budget flat, without some major cutbacks.” Large cutbacks of flights in the fall—especially by Delta Air Lines, which eliminated service to Florida and key business markets, and 18 CENTERLINES | DECEMBER 2008 http://www.rsandh.com

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

Centerlines - December 2008 Contents President’s Message Canadian Airports Associates’ Corner Policy Center On the Hill and On the Stump Cover Story: Airport Belt Tightening On Management: Pooling DBE Resources Revenue Arena: New Revenue Streams Griesbach Concessions Award Winners Security: Employee Screening Pilot Tests New Technology: Wireless Growth Now Underway Grand Openings New Members Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com Box Scores

Centerlines - December 2008

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