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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-10 Airport Committee Minutes Meeting Agenda City of Bangor Airport Committee Meeting City Council Chambers rd 3 Floor November 10, 2010 4:00 The following City councilors were in attendance: Gerry Palmer, Pat Blanchette, Susan Hawes and Nelson Durgin. The following City staff was also in attendance, Rebecca Hupp and Risteen Masters. Also in attendance was a representative from Bangor Media. Councilor Palmer opened the meeting. Agenda: 1. Small Community Air Service Development Grant Award and other Air Service Development Initiatives. Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp indicated that we were successful in receiving the Grant Award through the MDOT, the City agreed a matching fund of $50,000 and Mobilize Maine and Bangor Regional Fund pledge funds. We did receive notification that we were selected and was published in the ME DOT award order. We should receive formal notification by the end of the month. Then we will formalize an agreement with the ME DOT to accept the funds with certain stipulations for United for services with DC or Chicago. Once we receive the actual documents we will see if there is any flexibility for this. Just because we have the initial award this doesn’t mean that United is coming to Bangor. We have met with them and there is an interest. We are in constant contact with them. Discussion/Questions: Councilor Hawes asked if the money can only be used for United. Airport Director Hupp responded that once we received the actual documents we will find out what specifically the money can be used for. Councilor Blanchette asked between Washington and Chicago run who has more passengers. Hupp responded that United is processing this and they will evaluate which one would generate the more passengers. Blanchette followed up questioned which one is better for Bangor and Hupp responded that both Washington and Chicago are in our top 25, Washington is a higher market. Do you have any idea when they will get back to us? Hupp responded that United service will probably sometime this summer. Councilor Durgin asked about the time limit on the terms. Hupp responded that once we get the documents it is usually a span of two years. Airport Director Hupp also commented that we are still in talks with other Air Services. She discussed about her recent meeting with the Airport Community Council. 2. Passenger Statistics: Airport’s Marketing Manager, Risteen Bahr indicated that the numbers were up in October by 19% and capacity had increased. The load factor was down, 2% above capacity. U.S. Airways is 55%, Delta is about 33%, and Allegiant is about 13%. Discussion/Questions: Councilor Nelson ask a percentage question, the load factors, the number of seats available from the number of seats sole. Risteen answered that Allegiant has an 85 % load factor. 3. Business Development Activities: A. National Business Aviation Association Conference and Exposition- This was attended by Tony Caruso, Kevin Kipler and Connie Fleming. During this conference they met with several of our customers. B. Roundtable Meeting with Delta-This was attended by Rebecca Hupp. They talked about existing market share and there directions. C. International Air Cargo Conference-This was attended by Tony Caruso and Risteen Masters, it was held in Amsterdam. They were pleased with the response. Bangor made front page! There was about 5,000 people and 200 exhibitors. They had a lot of people seeking out Bangor. In two years, it is a biyearly conference, it will be held in Atlanta. D. Boyd Aviation Forecast Conference-Risteen attended this conference. She indicated that the industry is recovering slowly, and they discussed all of the mergers. Discussions/Questions: Councilor Durgin asked how we get in the mixture of scheduled freights. Master’s replied that depends where they distribute freight carrier and a combination of the carrier distribution. 4. Airport Improvement Project Updates: A. Cargo Aircraft Parking Apron-This is in its final phase. This was a 3 phase project. B. General Aviation Parking Apron- This will happen next year, then the design. This is for draining and environmental. C. Design of an inline checked baggage screening system-This is an agreement we have started about $100,000 grant. D. Expansion of Security Screening check point and gate hold areas-Gate 3 area moved and wall is out, there was not enough seating capacity. E. Upgrade of existing electrical systems for the terminal-Issues with electrical it is 40 years old, we will be it to the committee for about 30-40 thousand dollars for up grading generators. Discussions/Questions: Councilor Blanchette asked if the upgrade on the electrical is at the top of the list and what the time frame is. Airport Director Hupp responded, it should be done by Spring. Comments: Councilor Palmer recognizes Councilor Durgin as a new Councilor and welcomed him. Councilor Palmer also requested that when a “special aircraft” stops in, that the Airport could notify the Councilors, he would appreciate that. He also commented on the flight that was diverted that had members of the senate on it. He commented about how they greeted an incoming Military Flight. Adjourned