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March 2013 Newsletter
 
ACI Brings the Voice of the World's Airports to Air Transport Conference in Montreal
Senior airport executives congregated at the International Civil Aviation Organization's headquarters in Montreal from March 18th - 22nd, 2013 for the Air Transport Conference.


Over 1,000 delegates were in attendance from more than 200 states and international organizations. The five-day conference included the presentation of over 100 working papers, including seven from Airports Council International. The papers covered a variety of topics related to the development of ICAO policy on aviation economics, liberalization, fair competition, taxation and charges, and consumer protection. 

    

The level of engagement was testament to the increased stature and importance of airports in shaping the international aviation policy agenda. In addition to the speakers at the pre-conference symposium, airports were represented by the chair of ACI-North America, David Edwards, ACI-NA President and CEO Greg Principato, and director of the Asia-Pacific Region, Patti Chau.

Air Transport News Presents Angela Gittens with Woman of the Year Award

Angela Gittens, director general of Airports Council International, was honoured withthe first Woman of the Year Award at the 2013 Air Transport News  Awards on March 17th.    

 

The awards ceremony took place on the eve of the International Civil Aviation Organization's sixth worldwide Air Transport Conference in Montreal.

 

 "I am thrilled to receive this inaugural Woman of the Year award from Air Transport News. I share this award with all the other women in aviation who represent this dynamic industry and who work day in and day out to ensure its safety and sustainability," said Ms. Gittens.  

 

Ms. Gittens began her tenure as director general in 2008. She was formerly CEO for two of the largest airports airports in the U.S., Miami and Atlanta, and deputy at San Francisco International Airport. In other previous roles, Ms. Gittens served as vice president of airport business services for HNTB Corporation, where she led the firm's practice in airport business and strategic planning.  

Gittens has served on numerous aviation industry boards and committees including FAA and NASA advisory committees, the Executive Committee of the National Academy of Science's Transportation Research Board and the Board of Directors of JetBlue Airways. 
Fort McMurray Selects Artists for Public Art at New Airport Terminal Building

Four artists have been selected to create a variety of public artworks that will be incorporated into the new Fort McMurray Airport terminal building.  

 

The overall design of the new terminal builds on the design inspirations of surroundings, heritage, community, industry, flight and boomtown. The design will feature the use of numerous sustainability strategies appropriate to the climate, such as natural day lighting, passive ventilation and heat recovery systems.

 

The artists, who include both emerging and established creative voices and who work in a variety of media from traditional sculpture to digital design, will create unique pieces to support the region's overall efforts to build its arts and culture resources.  

 

Lucas Seaward of Fort McMurray will create original artwork for the walls of the airport's board room and public observation area.

 

The four artists were selected from more than 200 responses to open calls that were circulated last fall. Two of the projects were open to artists throughout Canada, and two were open to artists from Alberta. The selections were made by the airport authority based on the recommendations of a committee of community, arts and airport representatives, who carefully reviewed the artist's credentials and statements about their interest in this project.

 

The artwork, funded entirely by the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, will be produced this year and installed in time for the terminal's opening in spring 2014.
Government of Canada Announces ACAP Funding for Kamloops Airport
Air terminal building groundside at YKA. Photo source: Kamloops Airport.
On March 13th Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-T hompson-Cariboo announced $544,310 in Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) funding for the construction of a shelter for an aircraft rescue and firefighting truck and related equipment at the Kamloops Airport.

"The Kamloops Airport is a vital gateway for local residents, businesses, trade and tourism," said MP McLeod. "This funding will create jobs and enhance the safety of all those who use this airport, especially the communities and businesses in the interior of British Columbia that rely on it."

 

"The improvements to the Kamloops Airport, supported by the financial assistance of the Government of Canada, will contribute greatly to growth, job creation and economic prosperity in our city, as well as support our airport's continued safety," said Peter Milobar, Mayor of Kamloops.  

 

To date, through ACAP, the Kamloops Airport has received more than $3.6 million for nine projects, which includes this announcement. In 2011, $905,700 was provided to the airport for the purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting truck and in 2012, $146,621 was invested in runway de-icing equipment and a snowplow truck.

Two Canadian Airports Earn First Place at 2012 Airport Service Quality Awards

Two Canadian airports were recognized for their commitment to excellence and customer service as Airports Council International announced the recipients of its annual Airport Service Quality Awards for 2012.      

    

The Winnipeg Airports Authority was awarded first place in the 'Best Improvement: North America' category.  


"Exceeding customers' expectations is a priority and the service quality awards confirm the position of our community's airport in the eyes of our passengers and community members," said president and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority Barry Rempel. "We are proud that Richardson International is among the world's best and tribute this recognition to the dedication of our employees, tenants and partners in aviation providing services out of Winnipeg," said Mr. Rempel.     

 

Victoria International Airport's commitment to providing excellent customer service also earned it first place in North America for airports that carry up to 2 million passengers a year. 


"The Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Award is the highest possible distinction in the industry and we are honoured to be recognized", said Victoria Airport Authority president and CEO Geoff Dickson. "Without the efforts of our airport community - security officers, airline partners, restaurant and retail staff, car rental
companies, cleaners, volunteers and so many others, this award would not have been possible," continued Mr. Dickson.
 

 
The winners will be officially recognized for their achievements in June at the ASQ Awards Ceremony, which will be held during the ACI World Annual Congress & Exhibition 2013.

 

ASQ Awards are presented in four categories that include: Best Airport by Region, Best Airport by Region (Fewer than 2 million Passengers per Year), Best Airport by Size, and Best Improvement.

T
he ASQ customer satisfaction benchmarking program measures more than 30 aspects of customer service including airport ambience, efficiency and courtesy of staff, security screening processes, 

overall cleanliness, and value for money in food and beverage and retail outlets.

North Bay's Jack Garland Airport Receives Over $200,000 in Infrastructure Funding 
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin and Jack Garland Airport manager Jack Santerre listen while Mayor Al McDonald speaks Friday during a news conference at the airport. Aspin announced more than $218,000 in funding for infrastructure at the facility. Source: North Bay Nugget
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin announced more than $218,000 in federal funding on March 8th for the aerospace industrial park and other infrastructure improvements at the Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, Canada.

FedNor is providing $148,858 to extend hydro services to the airside portion of the industrial park that is under development and to complete renovations to a hangar. The work is aimed at helping attract businesses to the aerospace park, which is near the completion of its first phase of construction.

 

"Jack Garland Airport is key to North Bay economic well being and is a major factor in ensuring business development and growth in the region," said MP Aspin.

 

MP Aspin, who also serves as the vice-chairman of the parliamentary aerospace caucus, announced an additional $69,597 for the creation of 61 additional parking spaces at the terminal and to upgrade two former alert hangars with new door systems to accommodate larger aircraft.  

 

Mayor Al McDonald said the first phase of the aerospace park will officially open in the spring. Mr. McDonald said that the additional 61 parking spaces are needed to accommodate existing airport customers, including those taking chartered flights to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, as well as future passengers if plans to expand the business by attracting additional airlines are realized.

 

In addition to funding, MP Aspin announced the creation of an aerospace task force that will be focused on creating job and opportunities within that industry in North Bay.

Comox Valley Airport and City Officials Want Height Restrictions Lifted
The towering trees surrounding the Comox Valley Airport have disrupted flights and have caused financial losses to air carriers.
Photo source: Comox Valley Airport

The Comox Valley Airport Commission wants the Ministry of National Defence to clear the air regarding height restrictions that have caused flight cancellations and diversions at the Comox Valley Airport. 

 

Fred Bigelow, Comox Valley Airport CEO, submitted a letter to the federal government to resolve this issue involving several trees that exceed the height permitted by Transport Canada located on four properties near the runway, whose owners are objecting to their removal. 


The towering trees have caused an increase in weather limits which have disrupted flights and have caused financial losses to air carriers. The airport commission wants the government to address this unsolved issue as soon as possible and to allow the airport to revert back to its normal operations for commercial flights.

Mr. Bigelow received support from the Town of Comox, which pointed out to the government the economic repercussions the current restriction is having in the region. 


Mayor Paul Ives indicated  that cancellations and diversions have resulted in serious financial losses to the air carriers, which contribute directly to the town's economy. As well, it has also caused undue hardship on thousands of travelers, many of whom reside in Comox.

 

"The potential long term impact on the Comox Valley Airport as a North Island air travel hub is of great concern to this community and we strongly desire to see the problem rectified before the onset of poor weather in the fall of 2013," said Mayor Ives.  

 

The airport is a key driver to the region's economy and served more than 327,000 passengers last year. It provides over 190 jobs including airlines, airport management, security, food and beverage, retain and ground transportation. One domestic flight per day, according to the airport commission, can yield up to $47.7 million annually or $131,000 daily in economic impact for the Comox Valley.

Gander International Airport Authority Recognized as 'Partner of the Year' by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

The Gander International Airport Authority won Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador's Corporate Partner of the Year Award at HNL's Tourism Excellence Awards Gala on last month.  

 

"All businesses in the region with a tourism interest have to be rolling in the same direction, and that's what we've tried to do," said GIAA Director of Marketing Reg Wright. "The airport is important in all of this as it is a welcome mat, so we've tried to do some little things to help things along...and it's gratifying to see the results. Tourism is front and centre in whatever we do...it certainly helps us increase our opportunity to generate revenues for us, and we're able to help the tourism sector with the services we provide. It really is win-win when we work together, and it's great that we can all benefit from this."

 

Mr. Wright said one of the major initiatives GIAA has been involved has been partnering with Adventure Central - the region's designation marketing organization. GIAA was one of the first organizations to become associated with the group, offering office space for a satellite office from which the group could begin operations, as well as some advertising space for tourism at the airport.

 

"It's really an award for everyone involved in tourism here because that's who we're working with to help benefit the whole picture."

Even with provincial recognition, there are no plans for GIAA to sit idle in its tourism approach," said Mr. Wright. "We're really excited where tourism has grown, and where it can go...there's certainly a lot of potential for the future and it can benefit rural and urban businesses."  

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In This Issue
ACI Brings the Voice of the World's Airports to Air Transport Conference in Montreal
Air Transport News Presents Angela Gittens with Woman of the Year Award
Fort McMurray Selects Artists for Public Art at New Airport Terminal Building
Government of Canada Announces ACAP Funding for Kamloops Airport
Two Canadian Airports Earn First Place at 2012 Airport Service Quality Awards
North Bay's Jack Garland Airport Receives Over $200,000 in Infrastructure Funding
Comox Valley Airport and City Officials Want Height Restrictions Lifted
Gander International Airport Authority Recognized as 'Partner of the Year' by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
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