@irports update -- November 19, 2008

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	November 19, 2008





			This Week In Summary FAA Approves Additional Runway Deicing Fluids» ACI-NA Supports Tarmac Delay Task Force Model Contingency Plan» ACI-NA Blogging with Chertoff and Hawley» TSA Extends Comment Period on LASP» Ireland and United States Sign Agreement on Pre-clearance» Seven More Nations Now in Visa Waiver Program» ESTA Set to Begin Jan. 12» In May, Private Aircraft Operators Need to Provide Passenger Data» Final Rule Issued on the Revamped Family and Medical Leave Act» Federal Contractors Must Use E-Verify» Seeking Feedback on Centerlines» In The News TSA Names Miami Airport of the Year» TSA's 'Behavior Detection' Leads to Few Arrests» Bush Trying Again to Stem Holiday Flight Delays» No Gates at O'Hare Leaves Virgin in Lurch» Alternatives to Auctioning off New York Flight Slots »


			Hot Topics
			FAA Approves Additional Runway Deicing Fluids On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration notified ACI-NA that several new generation runway deicing fluids have been approved for use this coming winter season. Due to worldwide shortages of raw materials, there was a very real threat that airport operators may not have had enough potassium acetate, a commonly used runway deicer, to last through the 2008-2009 snow season. ACI-NA, along with a number of other industry stakeholders, helped identify the shortage and lobbied FAA to quickly approve new products. The new products come from several different manufacturers and have also been recently certified in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers Aerospace Material Specification 1435, except for a one year storage stability test. View the FAA approval letter and a list of the newly approved products» Contact ACI-NA's Dick Marchi for more information» ACI-NA Supports Tarmac Delay Task Force Model Contingency Plan Debby McElroy, ACI-NA Executive Vice President, Policy & External Affairs, along with representatives from Allentown, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Pittsburgh voted Nov. 12 to support of the model contingency planning document developed by the National Task Force To Develop Model Contingency Plans To Deal With Lengthy Airline On-Board Ground Delays. View the ACI-NA statement» View Transportation Secretary Mary Peters' statement» View the task force's recommendations» Contact ACI-NA's Debby McElroy for more information» ACI-NA Blogging with Chertoff and Hawley During a session on Nov. 17 with about 10 bloggers, including ACI-NA's Tom Smith representing Airport Check-in, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Transportation Security Administration Administrator Kip Hawley spent a hour updating the digital journalists on a number of aviation security programs. With an eye on the calendar, Chertoff would not offer any public comment as to how his successor should operate the five-year-old department. He added that he has begun drafting a letter to his successor that goes beyond bullet pointing pending issues. A unit from President-elect Barack Obama's transition team moved in on Monday to begin to learn the ropes. Of interest to airports, Hawley noted that the report on airport employee screening pilot test should be completed by the end of the year. The preliminary analysis found that airports can do 100 percent employee screening, but it will be expensive. In some cases, 100 percent screening may be "over kill" because there are other "excellent alternatives" available that provide effective layers of coverage, Hawley said. With the government and airports facing major expenditures for security technology, such as inline explosive detection systems, where rapidly changing technology effectively renders the devices obsolete in as little as five years, Chertoff said Congress needs to set a up a new system to buy the devices. He urged the adoption of a lease system rather than out-right purchases. Contact ACI-NA's Tom Smith for more information» TSA Extends Comment Period on LASP The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended by another 60 days the comment period for its proposed security rule for Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The new deadline to submit comments is Feb. 27. As reported earlier, the TSA's proposed rule would expand the scope of current requirements and add new requirements for certain large aircraft operators and airports serving those aircraft. TSA has proposed that all aircraft operations, including corporate and private operations, with aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight above 12,500 pounds, be required to adopt a large aircraft security program. TSA has also proposed to require that certain airports that serve large aircraft adopt security programs. ACI-NA will collect comments until Jan. 23. View the proposed rule» Contact ACI-NA's Lydia Kellogg for more information» Ireland and United States Sign Agreement on Pre-clearance On Nov. 17, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff signed an agreement with Irish Minister of Transport Noel Dempsey which will provide for Pre-clearance services in Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport. Pre-clearance means that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will perform all agriculture, customs and immigration inspections at Dublin and Shannon airports of passengers departing for the United States, provided the transporting airline has entered into an agreement with CBP. Pre-cleared passengers are not inspected upon arrival in the United States and therefore the aircraft and passengers from Dublin or Shannon could use domestic terminals or airports that are not U.S. ports of entry. Currently, CBP only performs immigration inspection of passengers at Dublin and Shannon who then must still undergo agriculture and customs inspections upon their arrival in the United States. CBP plans to start Pre-Clearance at Shannon in summer 2009 and at Dublin in spring/summer 2010. Each airport needs to be modified to meet CBP's technical design standards. View DHS press release» Contact ACI-NA's Diane Peterson or A.J. Muldoon for more information» Seven More Nations Now in Visa Waiver Program Seven additional countries - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic - have been included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Nov. 17 published a final rule expanding the program to include these countries. Eligible nationals of these countries will now be able to travel to the United States without a visa for business or pleasure, for ninety days or less. The rule takes effect immediately. Foreign nationals from these new member countries seeking to travel to the U.S. under the program must first obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) authorization through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Beginning Jan. 12, 2009, all VWP travelers will have to obtain an ESTA. Travelers from new member countries must also possess an electronic passport. Individuals from countries which entered the program prior to Nov. 17, with passports issued before Oct. 26, 2006, do not need e-passports. View the final rule» View the DHS fact sheet» Contact ACI-NA's A.J. Muldoon or Diane Peterson for more information» ESTA Set to Begin Jan. 12 On Nov. 13^, the Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice implementing the requirement that all nonimmigrant visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries obtain an approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before departing for the United States. The requirement becomes effective on Jan. 12, 2009. United States Customs and Border Protection urges travelers to apply for an ESTA as soon as they begin to plan a trip to avoid any possible delays. ESTA approvals are valid for two years from the date of issuance, or until the holder's passport expires, whichever is first and can be used for multiple trips. View the Federal Register notice» Contact ACI-NA's A.J. Muldoon or Diane Peterson for more information» In May, Private Aircraft Operators Need to Provide Passenger Data The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Nov. 18 published its final rule requiring private aircraft pilots to file Advanced Passenger Information System-like (APIS) reports as they enter or leave the United States. Pilots must comply with the rule starting May 18. DHS views the measure as part of its comprehensive effort to strengthen the security of general aviation. The final rule applies similar APIS requirements on private aircraft operators which are already applied to commercial aircraft operators. Pilots or their designees will be required to submit through CBP's electronic data interchange system (eAPIS) the information at least 60 minutes prior to the start of a flight. View the DHS press release» View the DHS Fact Sheet» View the DHS final rule» Contact ACI-NA's Diane Peterson or A.J. Muldoon for more information» Final Rule Issued on the Revamped Family and Medical Leave Act The U.S. Department of Labor has issued its final regulations implementing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 ("FMLA"). The FMLA final rules include new protections for those on military leave which implements a new law signed earlier this year by President Bush. The new military family leave entitlements provide additional job-protected leave rights to care for covered service members with a serious injury or illness. These final regulations are effective on Jan. 16. The law continues to provide protections for unpaid leave for absences due to the birth or adoption of a child; to care for an ill child, spouse or parent or if the employee is seriously ill. View the new FMLA regulations» Contact ACI-NA's James Briggs for more information» Federal Contractors Must Use E-Verify Effective Jan. 15, some federal contractors and subcontractors will be required to use the E-Verify system to verify that new employees are eligible to work in the United States. According to the recently adopted final rule, prime contractors with at least a $100,000 federal contract must use the Internet-based system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Subcontractors will contracts over $3,000 must also participate in the system. Local governments need only verify employees assigned to a specific covered federal contract. Current law requires all employers to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) for each newly hired employee to verify each employee's identity and employment eligibility. Under this final rule, federal contractors will also enter the worker's identity and employment eligibility information into the E-Verify system, which checks that information against information contained in Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security and other government databases. If the worker's information can not be verified, the employer will receive a ''tentative non-confirmation'' notice. If the worker contests the tentative non-confirmation, the employer may not take any action against the worker while awaiting a final resolution. If the status is not resolved in the employee's favor, the employer will receive a notice of final non-confirmation and the worker's employment may be terminated. Link to the final E-Verify amendment» Link to DHS "Safe Harbor" Guidance» Link to the Justice Department's "Safe Harbor" Guidance» Contact ACI-NA's James Briggs for more information» Seeking Feedback on Centerlines ACI-NA is in the midst of surveying the readers of Centerlines on their thoughts and observations about the magazine, which we changed earlier this year to better meet your needs. An e-mail invitation was sent out on Monday asking readers to complete the on-line survey. You can also tell us how we are doing with our website. The survey is now open until Nov. 24. Go to the survey » Contact ACI-NA's Tom Smith for more information » ^ Back to top



			Industry News Briefs
			TSA Names Miami Airport of the Year The Miami Herald, Nov. 19, By Ina Paiva Cordle TSA said the distinction recognizes the airport that "continuously implements the highest quality of airport security while maintaining exceptional courtesy and attentiveness to all passengers and customers.'' View the complete article» TSA's 'Behavior Detection' Leads to Few Arrests USA Today, Nov. 18, By Thomas Frank Fewer than 1 percent of airline passengers singled out at airports for suspicious behavior are arrested, Transportation Security Administration figures show, raising complaints that too many innocent people are stopped. View the complete article» Bush Trying Again to Stem Holiday Flight Delays The Washington Times, Nov. 18, By Jennifer Loven Some of those closest to the frustrating delays many travelers experience at U.S. airports are hoping President George W. Bush plans more expansive steps than he took last year to combat the holiday crunch. View the complete article» No Gates at O'Hare Leaves Virgin in Lurch Chicago Tribune, Nov. 17, By Julie Johnsson Virgin America, unable to lease gates from other carriers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, will soon decide whether to scrap plans to enter the Chicago market. View the complete article» Alternatives to Auctioning off New York Flight Slots USA Today, Nov. 16, By David Grossman FAA's short-term, short-sighted solution for flight delays ignores technology and fails to address the big picture. View the complete article» ^ Back to top



			Events On Approach
			2008-2009 Events on Approach International Aviation Issues Seminar Dec. 4-5 Westin Embassy Row Washington, DC PH: (202) 293-1100 Hotel cut-off: TODAY 2009 Insurance & Risk Management Conference Jan. 14-16, 2009 The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans PH: (504) 524-1331 Hotel cut-off: Dec. 23 2009 Air Cargo Conference March 10-12, 2009 The Peabody Hotel Memphis PH: (901) 529-4000 Hotel cut-off: Feb. 13, 2009 International Aviation Issues Seminar: Cut-Off Date Today This year's International Aviation Issues Seminar will take place at the Westin Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., Dec. 4-5. Nov. 19 is the cut-off date to receive the special group hotel rate as well as the cut-off for the early bird registration rate. If you are interested in attending the seminar, please be sure to make your reservations and register for the seminar today to ensure the best prices. After Nov. 19, hotel room reservations will be available on a space and rate available basis. This annual seminar brings together top airport and airline management, government officials and consultants, to explore the latest developments in international air travel, government air transport policies and negotiations and facilitation policies/procedures which impact airports' ability to retain and secure new international air service. The seminar will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 4 and will conclude with the ACI-NA's Annual Holiday Reception that evening. On Friday, a business meeting for members of the ACI-NA U.S. International Air Service Program will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Following this meeting, there will be a meeting for the ACI-NA Facilitation Working Group from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. More details: Housing, registration, and more» 2009 Insurance & Risk Management Conference Join airport risk managers and insurance professionals, Jan. 14-16, 2009, in New Orleans, for an in-depth program focused on critical risk management, insurance, and employee safety issues facing the industry. Attendees at this conference include airport risk managers, financial officers, airport directors, and others involved in the insurance/risk management arena for U.S. and Canadian airports. More details: Housing, registration, and more» 2009 Air Cargo Conference Join ACI-NA March 10-12 in Memphis for the 2009 Air Cargo Conference. This conference is an annual gathering of airports and air cargo carriers. Attendees include airport directors, air cargo managers, airport CFOs and property managers, airport terminal developers, financial consultants, air cargo airlines, air cargo aviation consultants, and air cargo freight forwarders from the U.S. and Canada. More details: Housing, registration, and more» 2009 Operations & Technical Affairs Conference: Save the Date Join airport operations managers, planners, program managers, engineers, and public safety officials March 15-18 in San Diego for an in-depth program tailored to your specific areas of expertise. The meeting will be held in conjunction with ACI-NA's Public Safety and Security Committee, enabling topics of mutual interest to both committees to be discussed in a planned joint committee session. These topics include evolving aircraft rescue and fire fighting requirements, winter/irregular operations, apron safety, and airport emergency planning. Session topics will include: Airport information sharing session for members to cross-pollinate ideas and share solutions to common problems Safety Management Systems (SMS) for airports NextGen Air Transportation System developments that are important to airports Airport planning in an uncertain economic and regulatory environment Innovative project delivery methods Innovative airfield and terminal construction techniques Airport certification/FAR Part 139 issues Regulatory issues from FAA, ICAO and Transport Canada Airport and aircraft manufacturer updates regarding steps taken to accommodate A380, B-787, B747-8 and other new airplanes Continuing innovations in flexible terminal design Evolving issues affecting obstruction evaluation, Part 77, TERPS and related topics More details: Housing, registration, and more» 2009 Public Safety & Security Spring Conference: Save the Date Join fellow airport and industry colleagues March 15-18 in San Diego for informative and in-depth discussions on some of the most critical issues facing airports in public safety and security. Participating in the program will be high-level TSA and FAA officials. The meeting will be held in conjunction with ACI-NA's Operations and Technical Affairs Committee, enabling topics of mutual interest to both committees to be discussed in a planned joint committee session. These topics include evolving aircraft rescue and fire fighting requirements, winter/irregular operations, apron safety, and airport emergency planning. More details: Housing, registration, and more» See upcoming ACI-NA Events» ^ Back to top



			Committee Update
			Commissioners' Committee The Commissioners' Committee is made up of representatives from among the more than 400 airport board members, commissioners, and trustees who serve on aviation boards, commissions, councils, and authorities, and who set policy for and oversee the management of their airport organizations. The committee shares information and expertise from among their peers to promote the discussion and formation of policy positions in the support of aviation, and to provide training and educations opportunities for its members. Additionally, the Commissioners' Committee plays a vital role in supporting the ACI-NA Government Affairs Department's efforts on Capitol Hill. Upcoming committee events include the Washington Congressional Leadership Reception on March 26, 2009. This is an important evening and an opportunity for both commissioners and ACI-NA members to meet members of Congress and federal officials, and to show appreciation for their support of aviation issues. During the reception, the committee leadership will present the Commissioners' Congressional Leadership Award to a member of Congress or an administration official for their contributions to the aviation industry and the announcement of that year's recipients of the Commissioners' Scholarships. Additionally, the Commissioners' Committee will hold its annual 2009 Airport Board Members and Commissioner Conference on April 26-28 in Chicago. Further details, including conference agenda, will be announced later this winter. Contact ACI-NA's Paul Eubanks for more information» Learn more about ACI-NA Committees and Programs» ^ Back to top



			People on the Move
			Thomas O. Barnett Thomas O. Barnett, U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division is stepping down effective Nov. 19. He has held the position since his Senate confirmation on February 10, 2006. Also under his administration, the division recently issued a finding that cleared the way for the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines. View the press release» Scott Vick Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Department of Public Safety Officer Scott Vick was named one of the Officers of the Year by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 13. Vick joined the airport in 1989 and has been part of its K-9 unit since 2002. View the press release» ^ Back to top



			Member Spotlight
			Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is a medium-sized airport hub with more flights than any airport in Ohio. It tallied 11.4 million passengers in 2007 and currently operates over 250 daily flight departures to 74 cities, including 8 international markets, service to London and Paris operate seasonally. The airport serves a regional area of over 4 million residents and attracts customers in a 100-mile circumference in Northern Ohio, Central Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Hopkins is located midway between major cities on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest. As a result, our connecting passengers have shorter flights, especially when you consider our lack of air traffic congestion and delays. Our location is also conducive for logistics and drive traffic as we are within 500 miles of roughly half the US population. The Cleveland Airport System has numerous projects in process to improve the airfield and generate additional non-airline revenues. The largest of these projects are a runway uncoupling between one of our parallel runways and the crosswind runway, including an extension of that parallel runway to over 9,600 feet. In January, the airport will introduce the new BAA AirMall concessions program which will dramatically improve the customers' dining and retail experience. Visit the airport's website» ^ Back to top



			aci-na.org
			Cheap gas and the fighting Irish Notre Dame alum Greg Principato made it to last Saturday's game against Navy and his sightings of gas prices in Baltimore below $2-a-gallon caused him to wonder if a national energy policy will again be sidelined. Read his latest posting in Airport Check-in. Concession Contest Photo Album Photos from the Nov. 11 Richard A. Griesbach Excellence in Airport Concession Contest awards ceremony have been posted to the web. Take a look at the festivities. The conference's presentations are also now posted. ^ Back to top



			Info Desk
			September 2008 Passenger Airline Employment Down 4.5% U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 4.5 percent fewer workers in September 2008 than in September 2007, the third consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year and the largest year-to-year decrease since July 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported on Nov. 18. All the network airlines except for Alaska Airlines decreased employment from September 2007 to September 2008 as did low-cost carriers AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines. Regional carriers American Eagle Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, Comair, Horizon Air, Mesa Airlines, and PSA Airlines also reported reduced employment levels compared to last year. View the press release and data tables» ^ Back to top



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


	International Aviation Issues Seminar Dec. 4-5 Washington, D.C. Insurance & Risk Management Conference Jan. 14-16 New Orleans



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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 2008 Board of Directors Executive Committee Randall "Randy" H. Walker, Chairman Director of Aviation Clark County Department of Aviation John D. Clark, III, First Vice Chairman Executive Director/CEO Jacksonville Aviation Authority G. Hardy Acree, Second Vice Chairman Director of Airports Sacramento County Airport System Frank R. Miller, Secretary-Treasurer Airport Director Pensacola Regional Airport Fredrick "Rick" J. Piccolo, Immediate Past Chairman President and CEO Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Barry Rempel Ex-officio President and CEO Winnipeg Airports Authority Directors Bruce Carter Director of Aviation Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County Benjamin R. DeCosta General Manager Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport David. N. Edwards, Jr. Airport Director Asheville Regional Airport Authority Jim M. Ethridge Commissioner Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Thomas Kinton Executive Director Massachusetts Port Authority Bradley S. Livingston Airport Director Dane County Regional Airport William F. Marrison President Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority Charles "Skip" T. Miller Executive Director of Airports Louisville Regional Airport Authority Reginald K. Milley President and CEO Edmonton Regional Airports Authority Stephen J. Mitchell Commissioner Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Mark Reis Managing Director Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Bill Restall President/CEO Saskatoon Airport Authority Maureen Riley Executive Director Salt Lake City International Airport Lester W. Robinson CEO Wayne County Airport Authority William R. Vanecek Director of Aviation Buffalo Niagara International Airport Mark VanLoh Director of Aviation Kansas City Aviation Department Joseph W. Waller Vice President, Business Development HMSHost Corporation ACI-NA President Greg Principato 2008 Associates Board of Directors Executive Committee Susan Kurland, Chair Director Depfa First Albany Securities Robert A. Hazel, Vice Chair Director Oliver Wyman Joseph W. Waller, Immediate Past Chair Vice President, Business Development HMSHost Corporation Fredrick J. (Rick) Piccolo, ACI-NA Board Liaison President & CEO Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Directors Donald G. Andrews Vice President -- Aviation Reynolds, Smith and Hills Leslie K. Cappetta President and CEO SSP America Joseph DiDomizio COO Hudson Group Oris Dunham Dunham Group LLC Shauna Forsythe President Alliance Airport Advertising Laddie E. Irion Vice President Director Air Transportation URS Deborah T. Meehan President & COO SH&E David Naleway Jacobs Mark A. Perryman President Landrum & Brown, Inc. Randy D. Pope, P.E. Associate Vice President Aviation & Facilities Group Burns & McDonnell



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