@irports update -- Jan. 6, 2010

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	Jan. 6, 2010



			This Week In Summary ACI-NA Supports President Obama's Plan to Review Aviation Security» House, Senate Return as Homeland Security is at the Top of the Agenda» DHS Decision on US-VISIT Likely Soon» FAA Publishes Change 15 to Advisory Circular 150/5300-13, Airport Design» Kansas City Seminars Attract Over 130 Airport Professionals» New Form for ARRA Reports» California Supreme Court Ruling to Close Private Airport» Airports Use Most PFC's for Terminals, Which Cost More Than Airside Projects» ACI-NA Co-Sponsors ABA Event» Airports Sought for ACRP Survey» Implement your own Online Testing Centre» In The News Waiting for Multi-Year Legislation» Tighter Security Could Cost Airlines if Travel Demand Drops» Mesa Air submits filing for Chapter 11» Chicago Midway Could Be Privatized By Year-End -Adviser»


			Hot Topics
			ACI-NA Supports President Obama's Plan to Review Aviation Security Posted on Centerlines Blog on Dec. 28 by Greg Principato ACI-NA Greg Principato last week commended President Obama for ordering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to review “screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel.” “ACI-NA several months ago initiated an industry/government effort to review current procedures and policies,” said Principato. “This type of review is needed and, I believe, reform in the basic statute enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks is overdue.” Airports strongly support the president’s call to focus on moving toward a more technology intensive security regime. ACI-NA believes that advanced technology is critical for a more secure and efficient system. Whole Body Imaging is an important component for an effective system and airports look forward to working with DHS, TSA, airlines and Congress as security and privacy issues are considered. “I also wanted to thank the thousands of airport, airline, DHS and TSA employees that have worked tirelessly since Christmas Day to respond to the terrorist incident and keep the traveling public safe,” said Principato. House, Senate Return as Homeland Security is at the Top of the Agenda After a short recess for the holidays, Congress is headed back to work. The House will reconvene next week, and the Senate will begin their work after the Jan. 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Both chambers will take up the issue of aviation security and terrorism in the wake of the failed terrorist attack over Detroit on Christmas Day. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said that the Senate will consider the nomination of Erroll Southers to be TSA Administrator as soon as they return. Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has placed a “hold” on the nomination to clarify Souther’s views on the potential unionization of TSA personnel. In addition, the Senate Committees on Commerce Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence have announced they will hold hearings in January to examine the security issues raised over the foiled terrorist attack. Contact ACI-NA’s Channon Hanna for more information» DHS Decision on US-VISIT Likely Soon On Jan. 5, Robert Mocny, Director, US-VISIT Program in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provided an overview of the program’s results in 2009 and plans for 2010 in his annual briefing of stakeholders attended by ACI-NA staff. Mocny noted that during 2009, all ports of entry were upgraded so that they increased the capture from two to 10 fingerprints of arriving international passengers who are required to undergo the US-VISIT Entry process. The capture of 10 fingerprints has resulted in quicker and more accurate processing. In response to questions about US-VISIT Exit, Mocny indicated that the results of the exit pilots conducted this summer at Atlanta and Detroit airports are pending with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. The secretary is expected to make a decision within the next several weeks on US-VISIT Exit. The implementation of US-VISIT Exit will require additional funding from Congress. In 2010, the US-VISIT will continue its efforts to encourage other countries to adopt biometric systems and to do so in a compatible fashion. It plans to test iris and facial recognition technology in an operating environment in the coming year as it looks to take a multimodal approach to biometrics. Contact ACI-NA’s Diane Peterson or A.J. Muldoon for more information» FAA Publishes Change 15 to Advisory Circular 150/5300-13, Airport Design On Dec. 31, the FAA published Change 15 to Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13, Airport Design, which incorporates five minor changes and clarifications to into the advisory circular. The FAA has released Change 15 both as a stand-alone document and has also issued a new “consolidated version” of AC 150/5300-13 that integrates Changes 1 through 15 into a single document. Both documents are available on the FAA’s website. Change 15 is not the substantive rewrite of AC 150/5300-13 that we understand FAA plans to undertake this year. ACI-NA is currently working with the FAA to understand the timeline for this rewrite and are seeking a defined role for airport stakeholders in this effort so that airport issues can be addressed well before a draft version of the advisory circular is produced for comment. Contact ACI-NA’s Chris Oswald for more information» Kansas City Seminars Attract Over 130 Airport Professionals Last month, ACI-NA, the Airports Consultant Council, and the FAA spent four days in Kansas City with more than 130 airport planners and environmental specialists at the Airport Planning Redefined Course and NEPA Workshop. Highlights of the Airport Planning Redefined Course included comparisons of Canadian and American approaches to planning and capital development, effective ways to engage stakeholders in planning processes, and how sustainability concepts should be incorporated into airport planning. A half-day session was held jointly with the NEPA Workshop that dealt with how to effectively bridge the gap between airport planning efforts and pursuit of needed environmental approvals. The NEPA Workshop addressed a number of emerging environmental issues at airports, including greenhouse gas inventories and climate change adaptation. ACI-NA and ACC have already begun planning a similar event for the late fall of 2010; stay tuned to the ACI-NA website for details. Contact ACI-NA’s Chris Oswald or Paul Eubanks for more information» New Form for ARRA Reports The FAA has posted on its website the new Office of Management and Budget template for reporting jobs created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Both recipients of federal assistance and recipients of federal contracts must use this form for projects using ARRA funds. OMB has posted updated guidance for recipients of federal assistance and federal contracts on its website. View more information regarding FAA’s ARRA» Contact ACI-NA’s James I. Briggs for more information» California Supreme Court Ruling to Close Private Airport The California Supreme Court late last month effectively agreed to a timetable that will close a private airport in Sacramento County. Sunset Sky Ranch Airport had applied to renew its county-issued conditional use permit. While the county granted a new five-year permit, it determined there will be no further extensions. Without the extension, the airport would be forced to close. The airport then sued the county’s project planning commission contending that the commission did not analyze the environmental impacts of the closing. The airport claimed that state law required such a study. The trial court denied the airport’s claim. However, a state court of appeals reversed the decision and ruled that the county’s actions indeed required the environmental study. On Dec. 28, the state’s highest court agreed with the trial court and ruled that an environmental impact study of the airport’s closing was not needed. View the court’s decision» Contact ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» Airports Use Most PFC's for Terminals, Which Cost More Than Airside Projects Posted on Centerlines Blog on Dec. 28 by Debby McElroy and Chris Oswald On Dec 15, Aviation Daily included a small news article noting that Passenger Facility Charge collections totaled $71.5 billion between 1992, when collections first began, and Nov. 30, 2009. In Fiscal Year 2010, PFCs are expected to raise $2.8 billion for needed airport improvements, based on FAA enplanement forecasts. Additionally, the article stated that the total costs of the landside projects that PFC collections will partially fund are $25.3 billion. The article contrasted these landside project costs with the total costs of PFC-funded airside projects, noted to be $11.9 billion. Unfortunately, the direct comparison of landside and airside project costs without any context can leave the reader with the misleading impression that airports are overinvesting in landside projects rather than addressing airside improvements. We thought it would be helpful to dig a bit deeper into the statistics presented in the article to clear up any possible misunderstanding. View the complete blog entry» ACI-NA Co-Sponsors ABA Event ACI-NA is a sponsor of the ABA Air & Space Law Forum's Washington Update Conference on Jan. 27. ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp will make a presentation. Contact ACI-NA’s Monica Hargrove Kemp for more information» Airports Sought for ACRP Survey Researchers for an Airport Cooperative Research Program preparing a guidebook on intelligent transportation solutions are seeking input from airports. The project will explore solutions specific to the ground access travel environment, such as interactive pre-trip planning using real-time information and smart parking systems. The researchers have a 10-question survey for those interested in participating. View a summary of this ACRP project» Contact Dowell Hoskins Squier of Gresham, Smith and Partners to participate in the survey» 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
			Waiting for Multi-Year Legislation The Bond Buyer, Jan. 5, By Audrey Dutton Airports want Congress to extend the temporary alternative-minimum tax exemption for private-activity bonds, saying the AMT exemption saved airport bond issuers millions of dollars and kept some projects from being halted. Issuers had sold $5.4 billion of AMT-exempt airport bonds as of Dec. 11, according to ACI-NA’s Jane Calderwood. View the complete article» Tighter Security Could Cost Airlines if Travel Demand Drops USA Today, Jan. 4, By Dan Reed U.S. airlines could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and foregone profit if even a small percentage of would-be travelers stay home rather than face tighter airport and airline security, some analysts warn. View the complete article» Mesa Air submits filing for Chapter 11 The Arizona Republic, Jan. 6, By Dawn Gilbertson Mesa Air Group tried everything it could to avoid bankruptcy the past two years, following a series of high-profile setbacks and stumbles, but it ran out of options this week. View the complete article» Chicago Midway Could Be Privatized By Year-End -Adviser Wall Street Journal, Jan. 5, By Bob Sechler Chicago aims to complete the privatization of Midway airport in 2010, a key city adviser said Tuesday, reviving a high-profile push that collapsed during last year's credit crunch. View the complete article» View the updated ACI-NA primer on privatization» ^ Back to top



			Events On Approach
			Air Service & Data Planning Seminar Jan. 24-26 and Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar Jan. 27-29. The Westin Casuarina, Las Vegas Early-Bird Discount: Jan. 6 Hotel Cut-off: Jan. 8 2010 Insurance & Risk Management: Onsite Registration Available 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. 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: Less than 3 weeks away 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 airport 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 which each airport having the opportunity to share “best practice” ideas. The deadline for the early-bird registration discount has been extended to Jan. 6 while the cut-off date to receive the special group rate of $139 at The Westin Casuarina is Jan 8. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (702) 836-5900. Register online before the early-bird cut-off date and save $35. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» 2010 Media Relations & Crisis Communications Seminar: Three 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 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. Register online before the early-bird cut-off date and save $35. The deadline for the early-bird registration discount has been extended to Jan. 6 while the cut-off date to receive the special group rate of $139 at The Westin Casuarina is Jan 8. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (702) 836-5900. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» Registration Now Open: Environmental Affairs Conference and Legal Issues Conference The 2010 Environmental Affairs Conference will be held April 13-16 in conjunction with the Legal Issues Conference on April 14-17. These two events will be held at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. Registration is now available for these events Register for the Environmental Affairs Conference Register for the Legal Issues Conference March 22 is deadline for the early-bird registration discount and hotel deadline to receive the special group rate of $129 at Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (210) 354-2800 or toll free (888) 444-0401. See upcoming ACI-NA Events» ^ Back to top



			People on the Move
			Mark Gale Mark Gale, the Acting Aviation Director and Deputy Director of Aviation for Operations and Facilities at Philadelphia International Airport, was promoted to be the airport’s Chief Executive Officer on Dec. 18. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter made the appointment. Gale’s responsibilities also include the city’s general aviation airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport. A native of Philadelphia, Gale has risen through the ranks since starting as a college intern. Aaron Evans The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority recently promoted Aaron Evans, formerly Manager of Operations, to the position of Assistant Director of Operations, part of the authority’s senior management staff. ^ Back to top



			aci-na.org
			Blog: Questions the “Experts” In a recent blog posting, ACI-NA President Greg Principato supported the efforts of President Obama to get to the bottom the cause of the Christmas Day incident. He also takes some of the media to task for using “uninformed” experts to comment on aviation security. One blog reader agrees and offers further insight. See Airport Check-in entry» Research Posted Guidebook for Conducting Airport User Surveys: Airport Cooperative Research Program released a guidebook that explores the basic concepts of survey sampling and the steps involved in planning and implementing a survey. The guidebook also examines the different types of airport user surveys, and includes guidance on how to design a survey and analyze its results. ^ Back to top



			Info Desk
			Canadian Aircraft Movements Up in November Aircraft take-offs and landings at the 93 Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers and flight service stations increased by 2.1 percent in November compared with November 2008. These 93 airports reported 453,984 movements in November compared with 444,640 movements at 95 airports in November 2008. View release and data tables» ^ Back to top



	In This Issue • Hot Topics» • Industry News Briefs» • Events On Approach» • 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 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



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