HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-19 Airport Committee Minutes
Meeting Agenda
City of Bangor Airport Committee Meeting
City Council Chambers
rd
3 Floor
January 19, 2011 4:00
The following City councilors were in attendance: Gerry Palmer, Nelson Durgin. The following City staff
was also in attendance, Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp and Marketing Manager Risteen Bahr.
Councilor Palmer opened the meeting.
Agenda:
1. Industry Update/Overview.
Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp indicated that last year was the first time in a long time that the Airlines
made money. This is primary due to the increase in fees, i.e.: baggage, fuel, ect. This will continue to
rise because the cost of fuel. We may see a reduction in capacity due to the fact that once fares go up
and passenger numbers will go down. Our seat capacity was up by 4% and we will probably see that go
down too.
Discussion/Questions:
None.
2. Passenger statistics, if available.
Marketing Director, Risteen Bahr indicated that we were up 4% in December and this was the fourth
consecutive month in a row that we were up. We were up 16.5% and are pleased with that capacity
being flat. Overall very pleased. The load factors are strong, a little down in December, but that was
due to the cancellations.
Discussion/Questions:
None.
3. Business Development Activities/Events.
Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp indicated that we are in the process of planning upcoming events and
meeting with an Airline, but this meeting was postponed, we will now meet with them in February, so
no report on that. We are still in contact with United on a non-stop flight to DCA/Chicago. We are in
touch with them on a routine basis. If they are interested, we expect an announcement within the next
30-60 business days.
Discussion/Questions:
None
4. Discussion regarding U Maine team travel:
The University does fly thru Bangor using a Charter aircraft generally for most of their outside region
sporting events. Right now we are working on a new project with some graduate students that are
helping us to go to specific businesses and request information on their travel.
Discussion/Questions:
Councilor Durgin asked if we get involved with the Charter flight. Airport Director Hupp responded, yes
we do the ground handling for the Charters and in 2010 we handled about four to five flights for the
sports team. We have also done a few charters for other organizations along with the ground services.
5. Review of upcoming advertising campaign:
Airport Director Hupp said that the campaign was going to start about a week ago. Some adds are out
on they are in local newspapers. Marketing Director Risteen Bahr, indicated that the add is running in
the Bangor Daily News, Kennebec, and Morning Sentinel. The campaign is starting with Golf in the
Carolina’s, then we will add the Caribbean’s with fun in the sun. In the last thing is the trip to Florida.
Risteen, then played the radio advertisement that is out for the Council. After this round is out we will
go and do another testimonial campaign again.
Discussion/Questions:
Councilor Durgin asked about a winter campaign a reverse campaign. Marketing Manager Bahr
responded that she is working with Channel 2. An inbound budget is limited we do work with the
Florida travel agencies on skiing.
The GA is a two page spread in Airports International for Airports participating in Trade Shows. We have
two trade shows in February, one in Savannah and one in London. We also have the Governor’s
conference in the middle of February in Portland.
Airport Director Hupp indicated that the Airport is sponsoring the Chamber dinner to be held tonight in
the auditorium. Councilor Durgin responded that approximately 1, 000 people are expected to show up.
Meeting adjourned.