@irports update -- Jan. 13, 2010

Trouble viewing this email? Read it online @ http://www.aci-na.org/static/pub/2010/01/au_1-13-10.html

	Jan. 13, 2010



			This Week In Summary Aviation Week: 5 Good Questions for Greg Principato» The Five Recommendations to Strengthen Aviation Security» Increased Focus on Use of Advanced Imaging Technology» Security 'False Alarms' Making Headlines» ACI-NA Attends TSA Conference» Implement your own Online Testing Centre» In The News For Some, Hassles Dim the Appeal of Air Travel» Florida Airport Gets Commerical Spaceport License» Federal Crackdown on Late Flights Lacks Bite» Ottawa Considers Behavioral Screening at Airports»


			Hot Topics
			Aviation Week: 5 Good Questions for Greg Principato Posted on Jan. 12 on Centerlines Blog Jim Ott of Aviation Week posed five questions to ACI-NA President Greg Principato on subjects ranging from airline baggage fees and airport expenditures on safety and security, to his thoughts on how Washington politics have changed over time. The last question queried Greg on his expectations on federal support for airports in 2010. Below is an excerpt from that question. There are four things the government can do to best assist airports in the coming year: 1) Pass a multiyear FAA reauthorization bill with an increase in the Passenger Facility Charge to $7.50 and indexed to inflation, no changes to the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting standards, and improvement to the Airport Improvement Program (which is a critical source of funding for airport capital projects that enhance safety, security and capacity at smaller airports). View the blog for the other three items» The Five Recommendations to Strengthen Aviation Security Posted on Jan. 8 on Centerlines Blog by Christopher Bidwell “The attempted attack on Christmas Day is a powerful illustration that terrorists will go to great lengths to try to defeat the security measures that have been put in place since Sept. 11, 2001,” Secretary Napolitano said as she outlined five recommendations to strengthen security at home and abroad “through new partnerships, technology and law enforcement efforts.” ACI-NA will continue to work with DHS and TSA, and is collecting information from airport members to help guide decision-making about the installation of new and additional screening technologies with consideration for any impact on airport operations. View the blog for Napolitano’s five recommendations» Increased Focus on Use of Advanced Imaging Technology Posted on Jan. 8 on Centerlines Blog by Sheila Owens While the Department of Homeland Security recommends to “accelerate deployment” of advanced imaging technology at U.S. airports, the Obama Administration also called on foreign governments to do the same. Currently, there are 40 Advanced Imaging Technology units in use at 19 U.S. airports. Six machines are used as primary screening at six airports and 34 machines are used for secondary screening. Since the Dec. 25 terrorist attempt on Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, Canada said it will purchase 44 machines and officials in Amsterdam said they will increase the number of imaging units at Schiphol airport from 15 to 60, the Washington Post reports. Reuters reports that France will use body scanners at some of its airports, initially to search passengers heading to the U.S. A scanner will be installed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris within the next two weeks and another at Orly airport. Italy is considering installing the scanners, and Nigeria will install them, according to Reuters. Airport officials in the United Kingdom tell ACI-World that airports there will add full-body scanners to airports “as soon as practical.” In an article for AOL’s Sphere news service, Christopher Bidwell, ACI-NA’s vice president of security and facilitation, told Andrea Stone that the technology is “promising” and has the potential to reduce inconveniences for passengers with artificial hips and other prosthetic devices that set off traditional metal detectors, as well as the potential to do away with the need to remove coats and other garments. “The privacy and security of the traveling public is a delicate balance and something we are concerned with,” Bidwell said. “Yet we need to ensure an appropriate level of security.” ACI-NA’s Greg Principato adds that, “ACI-NA believes that advanced technology is critical to further enhance the security of civil aviation. Advanced Imaging Technology is an important component of an effective aviation security system and airports look forward to working with DHS, TSA, airlines and Congress to resolve any outstanding security, efficiency, privacy and facility issues.” ACI-NA will continue to keep airports aware of the enhancement of all technology, the benefits to certain types including advanced imaging, and the path forward as identified by DHS and TSA. View the complete blog entry» Security 'False Alarms' Making Headlines Posted on Jan. 8 on Centerlines Blog by Sheila Owens There have been a number of “false alarm” security incidents that have disrupted passenger travel at airports across the country. From the honey incident at The Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, Calif., to the guy who snuck through the security exit in Newark and the pink bag security scare at Minneapolis-St. Paul, these episodes are making news. Christopher Bidwell, ACI-NA’s vice president of security and facilitation, tells the Wall Street Journal that the incidents are likely being more highly publicized in the wake of the terrorist attempt on Christmas. “Clearly, after the events of Dec. 25, there is an increased focus on aviation security, and therefore I think people are more aware of and cognizant of any event” that’s disruptive. The Journal reports that the 24 incidents the TSA tallied at U.S. airports from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3 involve checkpoint closures, terminal evacuations or breaches of sterile areas. That compares with 37 incidents during the previous week, and 18 the week before that, according to TSA data. ACI-NA Attends TSA Conference The Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Security Operations is holding a conference today and Thursday in San Antonio, where ACI-NA’s Chris Bidwell, Vice President of Security and Facilitation, has been invited to join a panel of industry experts to discuss the importance of partnerships and collaboration between assistant federal security director-inspectors and the airport operator. Other issues, such as Secure Tamper Evident Bags, and information sharing will be addressed. Contact ACI-NA’s Christopher Bidwell for more information» Implement your own Online Testing Centre Deliver your own web based training, testing and certification program from as little as $500 per month. The ACI Online Learning Centre provides a fully managed, web based eLearning platform that allows airports to: Create online tests and assessments to certify staff competency on any topic Deliver online training and testing using existing training manuals and documents Track staff progress and maintain all training records for audit and compliance purposes Contact the OLC Manager Eddie Ragauskas for more information» ^ Back to top



			Industry News Briefs
			For Some, Hassles Dim the Appeal of Air Travel USA Today, Jan. 11, By Charisse Jones The beefed-up security — plus already aggravating airline policies such as double- and triple-digit fees not included in ticket prices — raises the question: Is flying worth the hassle? View the complete article» Florida Airport Gets Commerical Spaceport License Reuters, Jan. 11, By Irene Klotz The Jacksonville Aviation Authority, which worked to get its commercial spaceport licensing for four years, plans to offer Cecil Field's 12,500-foot long, 200-foot wide runway -- one of the biggest in Florida -- to a range of commercial space operators including Virgin Galactic. View the complete article» Federal Crackdown on Late Flights Lacks Bite Associated Press, Jan. 10, By Harry R. Weber and Joshua Freed The government's new crackdown on chronically late flights leaves airlines with little reason to be concerned — and delayed travelers little reason to feel hopeful they'll arrive on time. View the complete article» Ottawa Considers Behavioral Screening at Airports AHN, Jan. 8 Aside from Ottawa's plan to use body scanners in various Canadian airports to comply with the stringent security measures required by the United States, the federal government is also considering designing a behavior observation screening program. View the complete article» ^ Back to top



			Events On Approach
			2010 Insurance & Risk Management: Next Week – Onsite Registration Available The 2010 Insurance and Risk Management Conference will be held next week, 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. Advanced registration is now closed, but you will be able to register for the conference onsite. Listed below are the onsite registration hours: Thursday, Jan. 14 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15 7:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. More details: Housing, agenda, and more» 2010 Air Service & Data Planning Seminar: Online Registration Closes Thursday Join ACI-NA Jan. 24-26 at The Westin Casuarina in Las Vegas for the Air Service & Data Planning Seminar. It is the data seminar planned by airports for airports. Airport participants will explore six different data sets that can be used to craft more effective marketing plans while tapping into the experience of 11 consulting firms who will be in Las Vegas making presentations. Veteran planners will have the opportunity to take advanced classes in several databases. The two-day seminar will be topped off with peer discussion groups with each airport having the opportunity to share “best practice” ideas. Register online and save $35. Online registration closes Jan. 14. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» 2010 Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar: Two weeks away 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 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. Register online and save $35. Online registration closes Jan. 14. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» ACI-NA/AAAE Spring Washington Conference Registration now Open The annual Spring Washington Conference will be held March 2-4 at The Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC. Participants will discuss crucial airport issues and how they can be accomplished in today’s every changing political environment. The conference will begin with two roundtables on March 2 and on March 3, and key members of Congress will share their insight on airport issues. House and Senate staff will also provide their viewpoints on the issues, timing and likely outcomes. Administration officials will also speak to the conference to outline their priorities and answer questions. Then the real work begins as participants head up to Capitol Hill to educate their congressmen and senators on the airport industry’s priorities. View the agenda Feb. 5 is the deadline for the early-bird registration discount and hotel deadline to receive the special group rate of $269 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (202) 234-0700 or toll free (800) 843-6664. Register online before the early-bird cut-off date. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» Commissioners Congressional Reception Tickets Now Available The ACI-NA Commissioners Congressional Reception is held annually in conjunction with the Spring Washington Conference. This year’s reception will be held on March 3 in the Rayburn House Office Building from 6-8 p.m. A primary purpose of the Commissioners Congressional Reception is to honor a member of Congress or the Administration for their support of airports and air transportation. It is also a tremendous opportunity to socialize and network with members of Congress, congressional staff, members of the Administration, and your fellow colleagues. In addition, the winners of the 2010 scholarship will be recognized at the event. Registration for the Spring Washington Conference does not include a ticket to the Commissioners Congressional Reception. Separate ticket purchase is required. » See upcoming ACI-NA Events» ^ Back to top



			Committee Update
			Legal Affairs Committee ACI-NA's Legal Affairs Committee provides airport professionals with a forum to share information concerning on-going developments in case law, statutes and regulations affecting airports. The committee also monitors pending airport litigation. Through its steering group, recommendations are made to the ACI-NA Board and Executive Committee regarding requests that ACI-NA file "friend of the court" briefs at the appellate stage of cases where those cases are likely to have significant implications for U.S. airports. In addition, steering group members may be involved in the review and editing of comments filed in proceedings pending before administrative agencies of the federal government, and often assists ACI-NA in informal discussions on issues of importance to airport members with those federal agencies. During ACI-NA’s Annual Conference in Austin, Legal Affairs Committee members participated in the committee’s 2009 Fall Conference. A host of important topics were discussed, including land-use planning and zoning near airports; recent updates in TSA’s airport legal security arena, in FAA’s disadvantaged business enterprise program and in the FAA’s airport law, airports and environmental divisions. Several small group sessions were offered to give airport legal attendees an opportunity to share ideas and best practices in important and evolving airport legal fields. The Legal Affairs Steering Group will meet in Atlanta on Jan. 22 to finalize the agenda for ACI-NA’s Spring Legal Affairs Conference. This year’s conference will be held in conjunction with conferences sponsored by the Environmental Affairs and Human Resources committees on April 14-17 at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk. Registration is now open, so take advantage of online registration discounts! Contact ACI-NA's Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» Learn more about ACI-NA Committees and Programs» ^ Back to top



			Member Spotlight
			Greater Sudbury Airport With a catchment area of over 350,000 people within a 100-mile range of the Greater Sudbury, Ontario’s downtown core, the airport serves approximately 180,000 passengers annually. The airport is serviced by three scheduled airlines. Air Canada offers six daily flights to Toronto, while Bearskin Airlines serves northern communities including, Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Kapuskasing, Northbay and Ottawa through 16 daily scheduled flights. Sunwing Airlines also offers winter seasonal services to sun destinations such as Cuba and Dominican Republic. The airport has two runways, one 6,600-feet-long and the second 5,000-feet-long. The airport is owned and operated by the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corp. Visit the airport’s website» ^ Back to top



			aci-na.org
			Greg's Blog ACI-NA President Greg Principato provides updates in his blog on his first travels with his new hip. On his return to Washington, Greg was scanned by a whole-body scanner. View his blog postings» ^ Back to top



			Info Desk
			International Visitation Up 1% in October 2009 The U.S. Department of Commerce on Jan. 11 announced that 4 million international visitors traveled to the United States in October 2009, an increase of 1 percent over October 2008. This is the first increase in arrivals since April 2009 and the first non-Easter increase since August 2008. However, for the first 10 months of 2009, visitation was down 7 percent compared with the same period in 2008. International visitors spent $10.3 billion in October 2009, 13 percent less than in October 2008. In the first 10 months of 2009, visitors spent $100.9 billion, down nearly 16 percent from the same period in 2008. View the complete release and data tables» ^ Back to top



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


	Air Service & Data Planning Seminar Jan. 24-26 Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar Jan. 27-29.



	@irports update is sent each week to ACI-NA members and partners. If you wish to add a name(s) from your organization to the ACI-NA database, please e-mail ACI-NA's Joe Weidlich.



	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.



	Subscribe to Daily Clips ACI-NA offers access to the day's top airport and aviation news via e-mail. E-mail us at onlineservices@aci-na.org to subscribe to this free service for members!



	Jobs & RFPs Don't forget the ACI-NA Web site when you are trying to fill a staff position. As a member benefit, airports and associate members can post free job announcements. In addition, member airports can post their RFPs and other contract solicitations on the ACI-NA Web site. Contact ACI-NA's webmaster for more information»



	ACI-NA 2010 Board of Directors Executive Committee G. Hardy Acree Chairman Director of Airports Sacramento County Airport System Sacramento Frank R. Miller First Vice Chair Aviation Director San Antonio Aviation Department San Antonio Thella Bowens Second Vice Chair President/CEO San Diego County Regional Airport Authority San Diego Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer CEO & Executive Director Massachusetts Port Authority Boston John D. Clark, III Immediate Past Chairman CEO Indianapolis Airport Authority Indianapolis Barry Rempel Ex-Officio President & CEO Winnipeg Airports Authority Winnipeg, Manitoba Directors Iftikar Ahmad Director of Aviation Dayton Department of Aviation Dayton Kim Day Manager of Aviation Denver Department of Aviation Denver 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 Reginald K. Milley President and CEO Edmonton Regional Airports Authority Edmonton, Alberta Brad Penrod Executive Director/CEO Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh Raul Regalado President & CEO Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Nashville Mark Reis Managing Director Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Seattle William Restall President & CEO Saskatoon Airport Authority Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Maureen Riley Executive Director Salt Lake City Department of Airports Salt Lake City 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 Mark VanLoh Director of Aviation Kansas City Aviation Department Kansas City ACI-NA President Greg Principato 2010 World Business Partners/ Associates Board of Directors Executive Committee Laddie E. Irion Chair Vice President/Director, Air Transportation URS Tampa Steven T. Baldwin Vice Chair Senior Vice President The Louis Berger Group Albany Robert A. Hazel Immediate Past Chair Partner Oliver Wyman Reston, Va. John D. Clark, III ACI-NA Board Liaison CEO Indianapolis Airport Authority Indianapolis Directors Roddy L. Boggus Executive Vice President, Aviation Gresham, Smith and Partners Dallas Paul Bowers Publisher Airport Improvement Magazine Brookfield, Wis. 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 Kitty P. Freidheim President Freidheim Consulting Chicago Evan C. Futterman President and CEO Futterman Consulting Springfield, Va. Kurt Krummenacker Assistant Vice President/Analyst Moody's Investors Service New York Randy D. Pope Associate Vice President, Aviation & Facilities Group Burns & McDonnell Kansas City Susan Prediger Vice President CAGE Arlington, Va



	View past issues in the @irports update archive»


	Airports Council International- North America (ACI-NA) 1775 K Street NW • Suite 500 • Washington, DC 20006 P: (202) 293-8500 • F: (202) 331-1362 • E: publications@aci-na.org Under the terms of U.S. federal legislation, this e-mail may be considered an "advertisement" or "solicitation." If you do not wish to receive any further emails from ACI-NA, please send an email to: jweidlich@aci-na.org with the words "OPT-OUT" in the subject line. You may notify us with your decision to opt-out within 30 days of receiving this email. If you choose to opt out of receiving e-mail from ACI-NA, you will no longer receive ACI-NA e-newsletters, notices of upcoming meetings, sponsorship opportunities, etc. If you prefer to unsubscribe from certain electronic publications rather than opt-out from email communications entirely, please email such request to publications@aci-na.org. It may take up to 10 days to process your request. The postal address for ACI-NA is: 1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006.