HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-25 Airport Committee Minutes • AIRPORT COIVIlVIlTTEE MEETING
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM—THIRD FLOOR
� TITESDAY,JiJLY 25,2000
Present: Gerry Palmer, Chair Airport Committee
, Dan Tremble,Member
Michael Aube,Mayor
Patricia Blanchette, Council
Ed Barrett,City Manager
Bob Ziegelaar,Airport Director
Rebecca Hupp,Assistant Airport Director
Jeff Russell,Airport Marketing Director
Donna Fichtner, CVB
Items were discussed as per published agenda.
Item 1: Marketing Discussion. The Airport Director briefed the Committee about the continuing
surge of bookings on PanAm flights,following the Airport's advertising campaign in Pittsburgh
and Orlando. The USAirways Philadelphia flights are doing very well,with load factors in the
80%range and the airline has decided to continue the flights through the winter season. The
LaGuazdia flight is doing well but is still scheduled to be discontinued for the winter season. The
American Eagle flight to LaGuardia is expected to continue. Comair has decided to discontinue
one daily flight for the winter season, as of September 1�`. Councilor Rohman asked that Airport
• staff prepare a small map showing all of the cunent airline routes from Bangor. 7eff Russell
promised to e-mail the same. In response to a question from Councilor Blanchette about
Philadelphia service,the Airport Director explained that the Boston airport is a primary cause of
customer complaints. As a result the Airport is advocating the use of any and all altematives
routing bypassing Boston, including those via Philadelphia. Jeff Russell explained that PanAm's
booking system is now easily accessed via the Internet but that one or two local agents still avoid
using the airline for reasons that are unclear.He expects market demand to resolve this situation
sooner rather than later. Councilor Palmer suggested that PanAm may want to take local agents
on a flight to demonstrate the quality of the service. Jeff Russell indicated that this is in fact
being planned. Councilor Palmer also asked about any plans to host PanAm in Washington,
along with the Congressional delegation. Bob Ziegelaar responded that this can be coordinated
with Lee Umphries,the City's Public Affairs Agent. Further discussion centered around ski and
golf packaging efforts.
Item 2: Business Overview. The Airport Director reviewed the June traffic statistics,which still
demonstrate that capacity is the reason for the reduced traffic levels. All flights are performing
very well,with high load factors.The reduced availability of total seats is the main reason for the
appro�umately 10%year-to-year reduction. Business Express/American Eagle is showing a
reduced load factor as a consequence of the increased competition from the other carriers offering
routes that tend to by-pass Boston. Further discussion topics included the upcoming runway
project, the ongoing relationship with the Air National Guard and the traffic rights for
Cuba flights. Councilor Tremble requested that the Airport staff prepare an organiza-
tional chart for the Committee, reflecting the addition of the Assistant Airport Director.
�