@irports update -- Dec. 9, 2009

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	Dec. 9, 2009



			This Week In Summary House Approves FAA Extension» FAA Reverses PFC Ban on Common Use Terminals» Final Security Tamper Evident Bags Rule Adopted» Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Security since 9/11» Bankruptcy Court Orders Final TransMeridian Payments» DOT Set to Review Issues in LAX III Litigation» ACI-NA Joins ICAO Meeting on Annex 14» Too Much Cash a Security Threat?» ACI Offers Holiday Discounts on Training Programs» In The News TSA Accidentally Reveals Airport Security Secrets» Port Columbus Airlines Poised for Incentive Under New Lease» Airlines Appear Headed for Recovery» FAA Solicits Bids for NextGen Contracts Valued at $7B»


			Hot Topics
			House Approves FAA Extension On Tuesday, the full House approved a measure to extend the authorization of the FAA until March 31. The current extension expires at the end of the year. The House completed consideration of its reauthorization bill, H.R. 915, in March and the Senate Commerce Committee reported out its bill, S. 1451, in July. The Senate bill cannot be considered until the Senate Finance Committee acts on the taxes and fees portion of the bill. The Senate is expected to pass the extension later this week, and then it will be sent to the President. (See Centerlines Blog on ACI-NA response to extension.) Contact ACI-NA’s Channon Hanna for more information» FAA Reverses PFC Ban on Common Use Terminals In response to an ACI-NA led effort, the FAA on Dec. 1, revised their June 30 guidance to allow passenger facility charge funding to be used for common use terminal equipment, such as self-service ticketing kiosks. ACI-NA has been working for more than four months on this issue, providing FAA extensive legal justification and technical information to revise the flawed guidance. Specifically, ACI-NA made the case that common use equipment could be eligible under the "gates and related areas" provisions found at 49 U.S.C. 40lI7(a)(3)(F), and that this use was entirely consistent with the requirements listed in FAA’s Handbook on PFCs (Order 5500.1). ACI-NA also worked with the Air Transport Association to support our position that PFCs should be permitted to finance common use equipment in the terminal. McCarran International Airport and Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport also assisted in providing information to FAA. View the FAA revised guidance» Contact ACI-NA’s Debby McElroy or Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» Final Security Tamper Evident Bags Rule Adopted The TSA recently issued the final Airport Security Program amendment, approving the use of Security Tamper Evident Bags. In accordance with the measures, passengers who have purchased duty-free liquids in secure areas of U.S. airports will be allowed to transport their duty free items onboard aircraft departing the United States. This additional security measure will reduce the number of passengers that surrender duty-free liquids when transferring to other flights in Europe. At this point, TSA will not accept tamper-evident bags at security checkpoints in the United States. Based on input from ACI-NA and member airports, TSA modified the requirements to minimize the impact on airport operations while preserving the necessary level of security. Contact ACI-NA’s Christopher Bidwell for more information» Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Security since 9/11 The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing last week on Post 9/11 Transportation Security Challenges. The hearing featured Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) stated that our complex global transportation network creates enormous security challenges for our country. He stressed the importance of balancing security and maintaining an efficient flow of people and goods. During the hearing, Napolitano was asked about collective bargaining rights for TSA employees and she emphasized that collective bargaining can be achieved without sacrificing security. In addition, committee members stated their frustration over several airports continuing to wait for reimbursement for funding in-line explosives detection system projects at their airports and asked the secretary to look into why these airports have not yet been reimbursed. View Rockefeller’s statement» View Napolitano’s statement» View the hearing’s webcast» Contact ACI-NA’s Channon Hanna for more information» Bankruptcy Court Orders Final TransMeridian Payments As U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Joyce Bihary closed the TransMeridian Airlines bankruptcy, 13 airports got a fraction of the $587,000 due to them in back payments. In the Nov. 19 order, the judge allocated almost half of the airline’s remaining assets, $222,930, to be used to pay off the 13 airports and the federal government. Each airport will be paid based on its percentage of the total amount still due. Orlando Sanford Airport Authority, the largest airport creditor, was owed $188,000, but will be paid 20 percent of the final pool of funds made available to the airports. View the final order» Contact ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» DOT Set to Review Issues in LAX III Litigation In the still on-going legal fight over rental rate formulas between Los Angeles World Airports and a group of airline tenants, the two sides are giving mixed messages as to whether settlement talks are underway. An appeals court earlier this year sent the matter back to the Department of Transportation to resolve several issues. In a Nov. 24 notice, DOT outlined a process to hear and resolve the remand issues. On Dec. 2, the airport indicated that it was in settlement talks with the four largest of the seven carriers in the dispute. It asked the DOT to suspend the process while the two sides were talking. However, a Dec. 4 filing by the airlines notes that while the sides have on occasion had discussions there are no formal talks underway to resolve the outstanding issues. Instead, the airlines asked the DOT to proceed with its remand schedule. ACI-NA participated in the original court case and will participate in the remand process. View the DOT notice» View the airport’s filing» View the airlines’ filing» Contact ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» ACI-NA Joins ICAO Meeting on Annex 14 ACI-NA staff participated in an ICAO meeting in Montréal to develop a new document, Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aerodromes (PANS-A), providing guidance for complying with Annex 14. The two goals are: provide practical operational guidance on how to satisfy Annex 14 standards and recommended practices, and provide a procedure for identifying alternative means of achieving an equivalent level of safety when Annex 14 standards cannot be achieved. The first goal is analogous to the guidance available in FAA advisory circulars; the second will provide a method, currently available to U.S. airports through the preparation of aeronautical studies, for demonstrating ways to provide an equivalent level of safety, in cases where full compliance with the regulations is not possible. The PANS-A will also provide guidance on acceptable levels of risk for use in airport aeronautical studies. Although the current FAA aeronautical studies provide a means of demonstrating an equivalent level of safety, the process of gaining FAA approval of an alternate means of complying is often complicated by the absence of guidance on acceptable levels of risk. ACI-NA has long been an advocate of using quantitative analysis of risk and will continue to urge both FAA and ICAO to move forward in this area. Contact ACI-NA’s Dick Marchi for more information» Too Much Cash a Security Threat? This fall the TSA issued new directives to airport screeners as to how to handle passengers carrying large amounts of cash. The agency had been sued in separate incidents over their handling of passengers carrying cash. In an article published by DePaul University School of Law’s Issues in Aviation Law and Policy, ACI-NA President Greg Principato and General Counsel Monica Hargrove Kemp explore the two cases that addressed whether excessive cash is considered a security threat. View the article» Contact ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» ACI Offers Holiday Discounts on Training Programs ACI Online Learning Centre is running a year-end holiday sale on its training programs that are open to both airports and individual airport employees. Those enrolling in a course by Dec. 31 will receive a 25 percent discount on the fee. The course modules can be accessed any number of times over a 12-month period from the enrolment date. The ACI Online Learning Centre offers over 50 self-paced online training modules in areas including: Safety Management Systems Security Screening Concession Management Project Management Leadership and Management Human Resources Personal Development Contact the OLC Manager Eddie Ragauskas for more information» ^ Back to top



			Industry News Briefs
			TSA Accidentally Reveals Airport Security Secrets Washington Post, Dec. 9, By Spencer S. Hsu and Carrie Johnson The Transportation Security Administration inadvertently revealed closely guarded secrets related to airport passenger screening practices when it posted online this spring a document as part of a contract solicitation, the agency confirmed Tuesday. View the complete article» Port Columbus Airlines Poised for Incentive Under New Lease Business First of Columbus, Dec. 7, By Matt Burns Airlines operating out of Port Columbus will begin 2010 with a new-five year lease that not only maintains current rent, landing fees and other charges but features a revenue-sharing agreement aimed at pushing carriers to stay and expand. View the complete article» Airlines Appear Headed for Recovery The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 7, By Susan Carey and Mike Esterl After a difficult year battling the recession, the airline industry appears to be headed toward a recovery as fuller planes, fewer discounted fares, lower fuel prices and revenue from a variety of formerly free services start to pay off. View the complete article» FAA Solicits Bids for NextGen Contracts Valued at $7B ATW Daily News, Dec. 7, By Aaron Karp FAA announced Friday that it is soliciting bids for NextGen support contracts with a combined value of around $7 billion, which it said will be "the largest award in the agency's history." View the complete article» ^ Back to top



			Events On Approach
			Insurance & Risk Management Conference Jan. 13-15 Omni San Diego Hotel Hotel Cut-off: Dec. 21 Air Service & Data Planning Seminar: Agenda Updated Jan. 24-26 and Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar Jan. 27-29. The Westin Casuarina, Las Vegas Hotel Cut-off: Jan. 1 2010 Insurance & Risk Management Conference The 2010 Insurance and Risk Management Conference will be held Jan. 13-15 at the Omni San Diego. Join airport risk managers and insurance professionals for an in-depth program focused on critical risk management, insurance, and employee safety issues facing the industry. All of the seminar sessions will be held at Omni San Diego Hotel. The cut-off date to receive the special ACI-NA group rate of $219 is Dec. 21. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (800) THE-OMNI. View the agenda. Register online and save $35 More details: Housing, sponsorships, and more» 2010 Air Service & Data Planning Seminar: Agenda Updated Join ACI-NA Jan. 24-26 at The Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas for the Air Service & Data Planning Seminar. Former airline planners, experienced airport air service recruiters and consultants will help airports prepare for JumpStart 2010. This two-day seminar will feature advance data classes, airport case studies, peer airport discussion groups, and roundtable discussions. All of the seminar sessions will be held at The Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas. The cut-off date to receive the special group rate of $139 is Jan 1. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (702) 836-5900. More details: Housing, sponsorships, and more» 2010 Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar: Registration Underway The Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar, also at The Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas, will be on Jan. 27-29. This seminar brings together media relations and communications professionals to discuss the latest media trends and tools for effective crisis communication. Participants will learn about exciting innovations in technology, and gain valuable on-camera media training. Additionally, seminar attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers and share valuable tips on best practices for media relations. All of the seminar sessions will be held at The Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas. The cut-off date to receive the special group rate of $139 is Jan 1. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (702) 836-5900. More details: Housing, sponsorships, and more» 2010 Air Cargo Conference: Registration Now Open The 2010 Air Cargo Conference will be held March 9-11 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. Airport directors, airport CFOs, airport cargo managers, cargo airlines, freight forwarders and air cargo industry experts will examine the current air cargo commercial and policy landscape, discuss the business of air cargo, and share strategies to enhance air cargo revenue. Register online and save $35 All seminar sessions will be held at The Fairmont. The cut-off date to receive the special group rate of $209 is Feb. 15. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (206) 621-1700, ext. 3131 or toll-free at (800) 441-1414. More details: Housing, sponsorships, and more» See upcoming ACI-NA Events» ^ Back to top



			Committee Update
			Media Relations Working Group The Media Relations Working Group of the ACI-NA Marketing and Communications Committee is in the final planning stages for the 2010 Media Relations Seminar, to be held Jan. 27-29 in Las Vegas. This one-of-a-kind seminar offers participants information on the latest media trends, tips on effective crisis communication, and exciting innovations in media-related technology. Additionally, seminar attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers and share valuable tips on best practices for media relations. The ACI-NA Media Relations Working Group's goals and objectives are to create and encourage messaging that supports the actions, values and issues of the airport community, coordinate messaging across airports that ensures a consistent voice for airports, develop programs to encourage well-rounded media coverage of airports, and facilitate access and cooperation of public information programs among aviation groups, federal agencies, and corporate entities. Contact ACI-NA's Victoria Houghton for more information» Learn more about ACI-NA Committees and Programs» ^ Back to top



			People on the Move
			Jack Cavanaugh The Lee County Port Authority has selected John (Jake) T. Cavanaugh, Jr., as the new chief of airport police, responsible for public safety and security at Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field General Aviation Airport. Cavanaugh will assume command of the Airport Police Department from Richard Severson, who is retiring. Cavanaugh joined the force in 1991 and has promoted to assistant chief in 2004. ^ Back to top



			aci-na.org
			International Aviation Issues Seminar News Coverage of the International Aviation Issues Seminar: The presentations from the Dec. 3 International Aviation Issues Seminar are now posted on the website» Christa Fornarotto on the 94 Open Skies agreements that the U.S. has signed. View this Centerlines Blog posting» Any US Visit Exit Plan would be manpower intensive. View this Centerlines Blog posting» Airports should think global, not local when crafting incentive programs. View this Centerlines Blog posting» Greg's Blog In today’s highly partisan atmosphere in Washington where partisan differences are seldom put aside, ACI-NA President Greg Principato in his blog notes that in the aviation industry all differences are set aside by happy hour and mutual friendship flourish. View this Airport Check-in posting» Researchers Wanted The Airports Cooperative Research Program recently issued two requests for proposals seeking researchers Considering and Evaluating Airport Privatization: Funds: $500,000. RFP due Jan. 21. View solicitation» Airport Leadership Development Program; Funds: $100,000. RFP due Jan. 19. View solicitation» ^ Back to top



			Info Desk
			Rate of Flight Delays Increases in October Flights operated by the nation's largest airlines arrived on time at a lower rate this past October than in either October of last year or in September 2009, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the 19 carriers reporting on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 77.3 percent in October, a lower rate than both October 2008's 86.0 percent and September 2009's 86.2 percent. View the complete release and data tables» ^ Back to top



	In This Issue • Hot Topics» • Industry News Briefs» • Events On Approach» • Committee Update» • People on the Move» • aci-na.org» • Info Desk»


	Insurance & Risk Management Conference Jan. 13-15 Air Service & Data Planning Seminar Jan. 24-26 Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar Jan. 27-29.



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	About ACI-NA Airports Council International-North America is the "Voice of Airports" representing local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. ACI-NA Associate members represent a wide variety of businesses that provide products and services to the aviation and airport industry.



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	ACI-NA 2009-10 Board of Directors Executive Committee G. Hardy Acree Chairman Director of Airports Sacramento County Airport System Sacramento, Calif. Frank R. Miller First Vice Chair Aviation Director San Antonio Aviation Department San Antonio, Texas Thella Bowens Second Vice Chair President/CEO San Diego County Regional Airport Authority San Diego, Calif. Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer CEO & Executive Director Massachusetts Port Authority Boston, Mass. John D. Clark, III Immediate Past Chairman CEO Indianapolis Airport Authority Indianapolis, Ind. Barry Rempel Ex-Officio President & CEO Winnipeg Airports Authority Winnipeg, Manitoba Directors Iftikar Ahmad Director of Aviation Dayton Department of Aviation Dayton, Ohio David. N. Edwards, Jr. Executive Director Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Greer, S.C. Robert A. Hazel Partner Oliver Wyman Reston, Va. David Jennings Commissioner Charleston County Aviation Authority Charleston, S.C. Bradley S. Livingston Airport Director Dane County Regional Airport Madison, Wis. Richard McConnell Airport Director Boise Airport Boise, Idaho Reginald K. Milley President and CEO Edmonton Regional Airports Authority Edmonton, Alberta Brad Penrod Executive Director/CEO Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh, Pa.. Raul Regalado President & CEO Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Nashville, Tenn. Mark Reis Managing Director Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Seattle, Wash. William Restall President & CEO Saskatoon Airport Authority Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Maureen Riley Executive Director Salt Lake City Department of Airports Salt Lake City, Utah Brian Searles Director of Aviation Burlington International Airport Burlington, Vt. Elsie Rast-Stuart Commissioner Columbia Metropolitan Airport Columbia, S.C.. William Vanecek Director of Aviation Buffalo Niagara International Airport Buffalo, N.Y. Mark VanLoh Director of Aviation Kansas City Aviation Department Kansas City, Mo. ACI-NA President Greg Principato 2009 World Business Partners/ Associates Board of Directors Executive Committee Robert A. Hazel Chair Partner Oliver Wyman Reston, Va. Laddie E. Irion Vice Chair Vice President/Director, Air Transportation URS Tampa, Fla. Immediate Past Chair Vacant Randall H. Walker ACI-NA Board Liaison Director of Aviation Clark County Department of Aviation Las Vegas, Nev. Directors Donald G. Andrews Vice President – Aviation Reynolds, Smith and Hills Houston, Texas Steven T. Baldwin Senior Vice President The Louis Berger Group Albany, N.Y. Leslie K. Cappetta President and CEO SSP America Lansdowne, Va. Armen DerHohannesian General Manager Armen DerHohannesian & Associates Hampton, N.H. Bruce Feuer Vice President, Business Development The Paradies Shops Atlanta, Ga. Kurt Krummenacker Assistant Vice President/Analyst Moody's Investors Service New York, N.Y. Deborah T. Meehan Chief Operating Officer SH&E Cambridge, Mass. David Naleway National Sales Manager, Aviation Jacobs Cypress, Calif. Mark A. Perryman President Landrum & Brown, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio Randy D. Pope Associate Vice President, Aviation & Facilities Group Burns & McDonnell Kansas City, Mo.



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