Small Airports Committee News


September 2007-  At ACI-NA’s 16th Annual Convention and Exhibition in Kansas City, MO, the Small Airports Committee received an update on the FAA reauthorization, an overview of the DBE program from the Chair of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, a presentation on the O’Hare Airport Modernization Program, an explanation of ACI’s Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program, a discussion on runway obstructions and one-engine-inoperative surfaces, and an update on airports conducting ground support services for airlines.

 

June 2007-  The Small Airports Committee met in conjunction with the Marketing & Communications/Jump-Start programs in Tucson, Arizona.  United Airlines made a very good presentation on its efforts to improve its Mainline and Express performance in order to reduce delays and cancellations at small airports served by Chicago O’Hare Airport: (a) Start “ground delays” earlier to reach outside Tier 1 area, (b) Change “ground delay” automated program to spread out effects, (c) Decrease aircraft separation from 3 to 2.5 miles, (d) Focus on improving United Express performance times to match Mainline times, (e) Waivers allowing simultaneous ILS approaches when Glide Slope is out of service, (f) Route arriving traffic at steady descent path, (g) Departure procedures to avoid Midway Airport traffic.  Angela Gittens (HNTB Corporation) made a presentation on their ACRP project “Guidebook for Developing and Managing Airport Contracts”.  The Committee generated significant input on making the product more suitable and usable by small airports.  In addition, the Committee recommended beginning a two-day annual seminar for the Committee in conjunction with Jump-Start in June 2008. 

 

March 2007-  The Small Airports Committee met during the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., and discussed a number of emerging issues.  Agenda included FAA Reauthorization (Steven Van Beek, Jacobs Consultancy), TSA & Security (Charles Chambers, ACI-NA), Environmental (Jessica Steinhilber, ACI-NA), Congestion Management, ACRP, National Parks Overflights, 65 DNL, Revenue Use Rules, RICO action against Massachusetts Airport.  The Committee had extensive discussions regarding the following reauthorization issues:  indexing of both AIP entitlements and PFC cap, expanding eligibility for use of AIP funds, increasing PFC cap, expanding eligibility and flexibility for use of PFC funds, and funding of the “Small Community Air Service Development” program and the “Essential Air Service” program.

 

January 2007-  The Small Airports Committee met in conjunction with the Winter Board Meeting in Sarasota, Florida.  Mr. Phil Reed, Vice-President for Marketing & In-Flight Services, Pinnacle Airlines, provided an excellent presentation regarding the effects on small communities of changes in the regional airline industry.


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