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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-26 Airport Committee Minutes • AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM—THIRD FLOOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26,2000 AGENDA Present: Gerry Palmer, Chair Judy Vardamis,Member John Rohman,Member Edward Barrett, City Manager Rebecca Hupp,Assist. Airport Director Jeff Russell, Marketing Director Councilor J.Baldacci joined the Committee towards the end of the discussion under Item#2. All items were taken up as per previously published agenda. #l. Lease Assumption by US Airways. Rebecca Hupp advised the Committee that the lease document had not been received as of yet. The assumption will be from Commutair to Piedmont Airways; both are US Airways affiliated carriers. The item is expected to be acted upon during a future meeting. #2. Business Report. Jeff Russell provided an overview of the most recent developments with regard to the domestic carriers. He explained that Commuta.ir ha,d switched affiliations to Continental Airlines, which necessita,ted a change in US Airways carriers for BGR. He further � related that US Airways has taken the lead in terms of market share in the BGR market. Although it initially appeared that Commutair would provide service to Manchester NH(M�-TT)as a Continental carrier,that development did not materialize due to issues related to yields for Commutair. In essence, Commutair would not get a su�cient share of the total revenue received, leaving it in a position where it cannot derive any profits from the BGR-MHT flights. Jeff Russell also explained that Business Express Airlines will not exist after December ls`and will become part of the American Eagle network instead. As a result of this, Saab aircraft will be freed up and some will be transferred to US Airways to replace the smaller Beech 1900 aircraft. Delta Airlines has indicated that BGR is once again on the list for jet service to Boston. The carrier has informed the Airport that LaGuardia service now is not likely due to congestion at that airport. Pa.t�1M is looking at initiating service to Allentown, PA,probably by dropping the flights to Pittsburgh. Bangor's efforts to package golf vacations are nearly complcted. The Airport's advertising efforts in support of PanAm's services are continuing and will intensify again during the coming winter months. Jeff Russell briefed the Committee that August 00 was about 2.7%behind August 99. Year to year the passenger volume is 9.6%behind last year. Total capacity is 8.2%down for the year. Still 35%of all seats are unsold in the market. In response to a question from Councilor Baldacci;7eff Russell agreed to draft an Airport . Passenger Service Program for review at a subsequent meeting. �