@irports update -- Feb. 24, 2010

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	Feb. 24, 2010



			This Week In Summary Principato Explain's Airports' Deicing Issues to House Panel» ACI-NA to Host Webinar to Explain Deicing Comments» ACI-NA Meets with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano» DOT Awards 2009 Small Community Air Service Development Program Grants» Relief Fund Set Up for Haiti Airport Employees» ACI-NA to Host Feb. 25 Webinar on Contingency Planning for Irregular Operations» U.S. and European Union Make Some Progress in Talks» Bushelman Award Nominations Sought» TRB Schedules Webinars Focused on Airport Topics» Balchen/Post Award Nominees Sought for Clearing Runways» Next AELP Class Forming» ACI Certificate in Airport Environmental Management Now Online» In The News ACI-NA Group Leads Drive To Ease Path To Diversity Certification» Branson Airport Adds Five Nonstop Flights» Vancouver Prepares for Olympic Exodus» Body Scanners Strip 'Dignity,' Pope Says»


			Hot Topics
			Principato Explain's Airports' Deicing Issues to House Panel Testifying this afternoon before the House Subcommittee on Aviation looking into aircraft deicing practices, ACI-NA President Greg Principato stressed that while airlines are responsible for deicing their airplanes, airports work with carriers to determine the most effective location for deicing to occur, as well as manage stormwater runoff to lessen the impact on the environment. In addressing the environmental effects of deicing, Principato cited the Environmental Protection Agency’s development of new regulations to address runoff from airport and aircraft deicing operations. EPA’s proposal consists of collection and treatment requirements for airport deicing fluid and would apply to all airports that conduct deicing operations and have more than 1,000 annual scheduled commercial jet departures. ACI-NA is concerned that the new standards, known as effluent limitation guidelines (ELG), could place “unnecessary and significant financial burden on the airport industry with minimal environmental benefit.” EPA estimates that the new standards will cost the industry $91.3 million annually, a cost Principato testified as “highly underestimated.” Principato noted that on Feb. 26, ACI-NA will submit extensive comments on EPA’s proposed rulemaking for Effluent Limitation Guidelines. View Principato’s testimony» Access all testimony» View a webcast of the hearing» Committee staff briefing paper» Contact ACI-NA’s Annie Russo for more information» ACI-NA to Host Webinar to Explain Deicing Comments On March 8, ACI-NA will host a Webinar discussion with a team of experts that assisted ACI-NA in drafting its response to the proposed Effluent Limitation Guideline drafted by the EPA to control run-off from aircraft deicing operations. ACI-NA will file its comments on Friday after an exhaustive process to review the draft rule, collect airport input, and produce final comments reflective of airport concerns. Webinar presenters will include ACI-NA staff and engineering, legal, and economic consultants who developed the comments: Jessica Steinhilber, senior director, environmental affairs, ACI-NA Jeffrey Longsworth, partner, Barnes & Thornburg John Lengel, executive vice president, Gresham, Smith & Partners Tim Arendt, principal, Gresham, Smith & Partners Dean Mericas, principal aviation water resources specialist, CH2M HILL Stuart Sessions, vice president, Environomics The free 90 minute Webinar will begin at 1 p.m. EST. There is no need to RSVP to this message, but please mark your calendar. The access information will be distributed on the morning of March 8. While the event is free, the call system can only support 100 callers so it will be first come first served. The call is open only to members of ACI-NA. Contact ACI-NA’s Jessica Steinhilber or Matt Griffin for more information» ACI-NA Meets with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano On Monday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano held a meeting with key industry leaders to discuss airport security and facilitation issues. Greg Principato, ACI-NA President; Frank Miller, San Antonio Airport Director and ACI-NA Board Security Task Force Chair; Jim Bennett, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO and AAAE Vice Chair; and Christopher Bidwell, ACI-NA Vice President of Security and Facilitation; were all in attendance to share their ideas on how DHS, TSA and airports could coordinate more effectively. Napolitano identified the following initiatives she wants DHS, TSA and the industry to work collaboratively to address: Deployment of Advanced Imaging Technology to airports Using Explosive Trace Detection to randomly screen passengers' palms Expanded use of TSA proprietary canines at airports Principato led the industry dialogue by explaining that since security measures are implemented at airports, it is critical that DHS and TSA coordinate their initiatives with the industry. Given the global nature of the aviation industry, Principato applauded Napolitano’s efforts to work with other countries toward the development of uniform security standards and offered the assistance of ACI World as the officially accredited airport representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization. The offer was accepted enthusiastically. Napolitano was interested to hear about the impact of the enhanced security measures at Canadian airports and pledged to evaluate alternative procedures that minimize the operational impacts. All participants recommended better communication with the industry and asked the secretary to support ACI-NA's In-Depth Security Review initiative to evaluate all airport Security Directives, identify outdated requirements for clarification and rescind those measures that are duplicative or no longer make sense given the evolution of the threat and/or countermeasures. Contact ACI-NA’s Christopher R. Bidwell for more information» DOT Awards 2009 Small Community Air Service Development Program Grants The Department of Transportation recently announced recipients of the 2009 Small Community Air Service Development program. The department awarded $6,445,450 to 19 communities in 18 states and one U.S. territory. Recipient airports include ACI-NA members Huntsville, Ala.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Shreveport, La. Other selectees include American Samoa; Appleton, Wis.; Augusta, Maine; Binghamton, N.Y.; Bowling Green, Ky.; Butte, Mont.; Clarksburg, W.Va.; Eldorado/Harrison/Jonesboro, Ark.; Hays, Kan; Port Angeles, Wash.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Rockford, Ill.; St. George, Utah; Traverse City, Mich.; Tunica, Miss.; and West Wendover, Nev. The program was established under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century and reauthorized under the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities to help enhance their air service. The DOT provides assistance in the form of financial grants that are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. View the DOT list of winners» Review the DOT docket containing the airport applications» Contact ACI-NA’s Paul Eubanks for additional information» Relief Fund Set Up for Haiti Airport Employees One of the many consequences of the Haiti Earthquake disaster is the sad fact that many employees of the airport have also suffered the loss of their homes and possessions. The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), in response to calls from the airport community, have established a humanitarian relief fund to aid airport employees of the governing bodies that operate airports in the region impacted by the Haitian earthquake. ACI-NA Chair G. Hardy Acree and AAAE Chair John Duval, A.A.E said that, just as the airport community came together to help our colleagues in the U.S. following the Hurricane Katrina disaster, we need to extend our generosity to our colleagues in Haiti in their time of need. Review more information about the fund» Contact ACI-NA’s Dick Marchi for more information» ACI-NA to Host Feb. 25 Webinar on Contingency Planning for Irregular Operations Meeting passenger core needs during Irregular Operations is a critical problem for airports, airlines, and other aviation service providers. Irregular Ops are events that disrupt flight schedules and negatively impact the normal flow of passengers. In the wake of the weather-related multi-hour disruptions in 2007 and 2008, several workshops (including two at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and another in the Washington area) were held to proactively address these challenges of assuring passenger comfort during Irregular Ops and identify best practices within the industry. In late December, DOT announced final regulations requiring airlines to develop contingency plans that include an assurance that the plan has been coordinated with airport authorities at all medium and large hub airports that the airline serves, including medium and large hub diversion airports. On Feb. 25, ACI-NA will host a two hour webinar on Developing Airport Contingency Plans for Irregular Operations to help airports prepare the airline planning sessions. The webinar will feature representatives from the Department of Transportation, airports and airlines to provide guidance and describe best practices in the development of these contingency plans. To participate in this webinar, please send an email to Chris Oswald with the words “IROPS Webinar” in the subject line. U.S. and European Union Make Some Progress in Talks On Feb. 15-18 in Madrid, U.S. and EU delegations held their seventh round of negotiations on a second stage agreement of the U.S./EU Open Skies Agreement. The current U.S./EU agreement envisages a second stage agreement to further liberalize aviation relations. The delegations made progress on emissions, competition, social/labor dimension and reciprocal recognition of citizenship and fitness determinations. However, they did not bridge their differences on key issues dealing with the ICAO-balanced approach to noise restrictions at airports, foreign investment in airlines, and related next steps. The delegations will keep in touch, but did not discuss specific dates for resuming discussions. The EU delegation will seek further guidance at the March 21 meeting of the EU Council of Transport Ministers. Both sides would like to conclude the agreement during 2010. Contact ACI-NA’s Diane Peterson for more information» Bushelman Award Nominations Sought The Marketing and Communications Steering Committee is now accepting nominations for the Ted E. Bushelman Legacy Award, which will be presented at the committee’s annual conference in San Diego on June 8. Nominations are due on March 5 to Sheila Owens. Review the award criteria» Download a nomination form» TRB Schedules Webinars Focused on Airport Topics The Transportation Research Board will host two Webinars in the coming weeks focused on recently published Airport Cooperative Research Program reports. In both cases, participants must register at least 24 hours prior to the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB sponsored employees. On March 25, TRB will hold a Webinar from 2 to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore ACRP Report 22: Helping Airport and Air Carrier Employees Cope with Traumatic Events. View more information on this Webinar» On April 6, TRB is holding a webinar from 2 to 4 p.m. EST on the results of two ACRP reports covering Managing and Marketing Small Airports. Please read the information below to register and participate in the event. View more information on this Webinar» Contact ACI-NA’s Matt Griffin for more information» Balchen/Post Award Nominees Sought for Clearing Runways The International Aviation Snow Symposium is soliciting nominations for its annual Balchen/Post Awards for excellence in airport snow and ice control during this winter. The awards will be presented to the personnel of the airport snow and ice control teams who have throughout this past winter demonstrated determination for excellence in their efforts to keep their airports open and safe. The awards will be presented at the symposium in Buffalo on April 28. The application deadline is March 21. There will be six awards - one to a military airport and five to commercial and general aviation airports. View the contest’s website» Next AELP Class Forming The next session of the ACI Airport Executive Leadership Program is now forming. The eight-week program begins April 17 with three weeks of distance learning. The course will meet for seven days in Montreal May 15-21 to be followed by another four weeks of distance learning via the Internet. The course is an elective for the ACI Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program. The registration deadline is March 1. The fee for the course is €4,500, but accepted applicants can be invoiced in U.S. dollars. View a flyer on this course» Contact ACI’s Nathalie Zulauf or Paul Behnke for more information» ACI Certificate in Airport Environmental Management Now Online ACI is now offering an online seven-part course that leads to a Certificate in Airport Environmental Management. Developed in conjunction with the ACI-NA Environmental Affairs Committee this certificate program provides North American airport staff members with an understanding of the basic principles of sustainable development and environmental management. It covers the key environmental impacts associated with airport operations and growth, the benefits gained from effective environmental management and the essential elements of implementing an Environmental Management System at your airport. The ACI Certificate in Airport Environmental Management is made up of the seven modules, which take about 90 minutes each to complete. The cost of the entire certification program is $695 and each module costs $120. Visit the Online Learning Centre’s website for specific details» Contact the OLC manager Eddie Ragauskas for more information» ^ Back to top



			Industry News Briefs
			ACI-NA Group Leads Drive To Ease Path To Diversity Certification Airports, Feb. 23, By James Ott An airport business diversity committee is implementing a yearlong work plan emphasizing the need for a more uniform system of certification of disadvantaged business enterprises or airport disadvantaged business enterprises, as well as interstate reciprocity. (paid subscription required) View the complete article» Branson Airport Adds Five Nonstop Flights Springfield News-Leader, Feb. 24, By Cliff Sain Privately-owned Branson Airport announced Tuesday that it formed a new public charter carrier, Branson Air, to fly to five cities beginning May 17. Airports in Houston, Austin, Des Moines, Shreveport, and Terre Haute, Ind.; are forming a partnership with Branson Airport to sponsor the flights. View the complete article» Vancouver Prepares for Olympic Exodus USA Today, Feb. 22, By Roger Yu Vancouver International Airport is gearing up for record crowds on March 1 as 39,000 Olympic athletes, officials, journalists, tourists and other passengers are expected to jam the terminals to catch their flights out of town. View the complete article» Body Scanners Strip 'Dignity,' Pope Says The Daily Telegraph, Feb. 22, By Nick Pisa Although the pontiff did not use the words "body scanner" during the audience with airport workers, it was clear what he meant as he said: "It is above all essential to protect and value the human person in their integrity." View the complete article» ^ Back to top



			Events On Approach
			ACI-NA Air Cargo Conference March 9-11 The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle Hotel Cut-off: Feb. 26 ACI-NA/AAAE Spring Washington Conference: Next Week The annual Spring Washington Conference will be held March 2-4 at The Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. Plan to attend the Welcome Reception on Tuesday from 6 – 7 p.m. On-Site Registration Hours: Tuesday, March 2 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. View the agenda Register online. Commissioners Congressional Reception: Tickets and Sponsorships 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. This year, the Commissioners Committee selected U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) as the 2010 recipient of the Commissioners Congressional Leadership Award. Neal has been a true champion for aviation issues, including his recent efforts to successfully waive the Alternative Minimum Tax on new private airport activity bonds.In addition, the winners of the 2010 scholarship will be recognized at the event. Advance online tickets can be purchased until 5 p.m. Friday. Tickets will also be sold at the door Wednesday evening. Registration for the Spring Washington Conference does not include a ticket to the Commissioners Congressional Reception. Separate ticket purchase is required. Air Cargo Conference: Hotel Deadline is Now Friday This year’s Air Cargo Conference will be held March 9-11 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, The conference will features sessions that will examine current air cargo commercial and policy landscape, discuss the business of air cargo, and share strategies to enhance air cargo revenue. Only a few slots are left for the Boeing Everett Facility Tour. Sign-up online. Feb. 26 is deadline for the hotel to receive the special group rate of $209 at The Fairmont Hotel. In order to make your room reservation, please call the hotel directly at (206) 621-1700 ext. 3131 or at (800) 441-1414. Register online to save $35. More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» Airport Board Members & Commissioners Conference: Agenda Posted The Airport Board Members and Commissioners Conference will be held April 11-13 at The Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah. Meet and network with others in the unique position of airport governing board members. Join airport directors, board, commission and authority members to discuss the complex issues related to effective planning and management of an airport. March 12 is the Early Bird discount deadline and the last day to obtain the special group rate of $219 at The Mansion on Forsyth Park. Call the hotel directly at (912) 238-5158. View the conference agenda Register online to save $35 More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» Legal Issues Conference: Registration & Agenda Now Available The Legal Affairs Conference will be held April 14-17 in San Antonio. Airport attorneys will share information and hear presentations about the most pressing legal developments of the day, with a focus during the first two days on airport security issues from a legal standpoint. This conference will be held in conjunction with the Environmental and Human Resources Conferences, so attendees will also have the opportunity to attend joint sessions with either of those groups. Joint seminar sessions are planned between the Environmental and Legal Committees on April 16. March 22 is the Early Bird discount deadline and the last day to obtain the special group rate of $129 at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk. Call the hotel directly at (210) 354-2800 or toll-free at (888) 444-0401 to make room reservations. View the conference agenda Register online to save $35 More details: Housing, agenda, sponsorships, and more» See upcoming ACI-NA Events» ^ Back to top



			Committee Update
			U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee ACI-NA's U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee is the policy making body for federal government programs, legislation and regulations affecting airport operators. Through the committee, airport directors and government relations staff from small, medium and large airports meet and discuss a wide array of issues and concerns. The members develop consensus policy positions on federal legislative and regulatory matters for the ACI-NA's Board of Directors. The committee guides ACI-NA's government relations activities to represent and advocate the interests of U.S. airports before Congress and the Administration, particularly the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. The committee will be holding its annual Legislative Conference in conjunction with AAAE March 2-4 in Washington, DC. The agenda will focus on the continued efforts to secure passage of a multi-year FAA reauthorization with a Passenger Facility Charge increase and without any language relating to Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting; making permanent the Alternative Minimum Tax holiday for private activity bonds obtained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that expires at the end of the 2010, and the authorization of the Transportation Security Administration, which the House completed in the first session. Policy makers, key House and Senate staffers and administration officials will be on hand to discuss these and other issues expected to be before the congress in 2010. Contact ACI-NA’s Jane Calderwood for more information» Learn more about ACI-NA Committees and Programs» ^ Back to top



			aci-na.org
			Blog: Fighting Delta’s Anti-PFC Campaign ACI-NA President Greg Principato in his blog took to task Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson for using Delta’s in-flight magazine to spread misinformation about passenger facility charges. Read Greg’s rebuttal» On YouTube During the recent ACI-NA CEO Forum, Greg was interviewed by Houston Airport System’s YouTube channel. In the interview, he makes the case for airport executives in the U.S. and Canada to convene for a once-a-year forum dedicated exclusively to airport CEOs and directors. ^ Back to top



			Info Desk
			Japan's Bookings to the U.S. in Decline According to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Japan Travel Trade Barometer, a slight majority, 52 percent of the Japanese firms that promote and sell Japan travel projected a decrease in bookings to the United States for the first quarter of 2010 compared with last year. During the fourth quarter, the projected Japanese trade bookings to the United States decreased compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. View the complete press release and supporting data» ^ Back to top



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


	Spring Washington Conference March 2-4 Commissioners' Congressional Reception March 3 ACI-NA Air Cargo Conference March 9-11.



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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



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