HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-11 Airport Committee Minutes
City of Bangor Airport Committee
rd
City Council Chambers 3 Floor
October 11, 2016
Meeting Minutes
The following City Councilors were in attendance: Airport Committee Chair Joseph Baldacci,
Councilors Nelson Durgin, David Nealley, Benjamin Sprague, Sarah Nichols and Gibran Graham.
Also in attendance were City Manager Cathy Conlow, Airport Director Tony Caruso and
Marketing Manager Risteen Bahr.
Agenda and Discussion:
1. Airport statistic - August & September.
Director Caruso reported that August Operational numbers trended higher than last year,
driven by increased international landings. August fuel statistics were driven by DOD sales,
both US and foreign military. Year to Date Retail Fuel Sales were nearly double this time last
year.
Marketing Director Bahr reported 55,110 passengers in September, the highest total for this
month in 10 years. This is the third month in a row with record traffic. September’s monthly
passenger total was 16.7% higher than last year and 27.3% higher than the 4-year average.
Year-to-Date passenger totals are 2.15% higher than last year and 2.3% higher than the 4-year
average.
Councilor Durgin asked if Allegiant was operating year-round. Marketing Director Bahr
responded that they are, although the number of flights vary seasonally.
Councilor Baldacci asked if September numbers reflected the expansion of American Airlines.
Marketing Director Bahr responded that summer service to LGA ended soon after Labor Day.
They will operate to LGA during the holiday season (Dec. 18 – Jan. 8). We will be promoting this
service.
Marketing Director Bahr also advised the Committee that we have received very positive
feedback to the new television ads. Links to the ads will be posted on both the Airport’s and
City of Bangor websites. Magazine print ads were released last week. Radio and newspaper
ads will begin running in mid-November.
Councilor Baldacci asked what we were looking at for expanded service at the Airport.
Marketing Director Bahr reported that we continue to ask for service to BOS and CLT, as well as
increased Chicago service. United’s Newark service did well this year although it was
constrained by slots there.
Councilor Baldacci asked if Boston service would detract from our current service. Would it
take away passengers from other carriers?
Marketing Director Bahr replied that direct BOS service should have limited impact on our
current service. There is a direct community of interest between both regions and BOS will be
used to help connect to other carrier’s networks that are not in the BGR market.
2. Request from the Bangor Historical Society
Director Caruso introduced a request from the Bangor Historical Society to use a small piece of
City property, adjacent to the University of Maine at Augusta’s Bangor campus, for a Civil War
Re-enactment tentatively scheduled for July 28-30, 2017. Councilor Durgin and Marketing
Director Bahr both serve on the Historical Society Board. This matter is being brought to the
Airport Committee to get initial thoughts. Further action is contingent on University approval
because the majority of the land is on its campus. The Society estimates 350 participants with
an additional 500-700 visitors attending the event. The Committee will be kept informed as we
work towards a more formal agreement.
Councilor Durgin commented that his position on the Society Board might present a conflict of
interest so he would defer to the Committee. No conflict identified.
Councilor Nealley asked if this event would impact Airport operations. Director Caruso
responded that no disruption to operations is expected.
Meeting Adjourned.