Fate of next Essential Air Service provider remains unknown
Cheyenne, Wyo.,-based Great Lakes Airlines notified the city this week that all of its air service at Great Bend Municipal Airport will cease at the end of this month, Airport Manager Martin Miller announced Thursday. This is one month shy of its original contract with the United States Department of Transportation.
So, effective April 1, Great Bend will be without airline service until the next Essential Air Service order takes effect, in May of this year, Miller said. Great Lakes will, however, continue its flights from Hays to Denver.
Both Hays and Great Bend have experienced substantial decreases in scheduled flights over the last several months.
“We will be in a transition period with a new type of service,” Miller said. “The City Council has recommended that DOT accept a bid from SeaPort Airlines for Great Bend and we are excited about working to get more reliable air service to our area.”
But, as of now, DOT has not yet issued its order for Essential Air Service for the next two-year period, commencing May 1. The DOT’s selection of SeaPort Airlines of Portland, Ore., for Great Bend is anticipated, though not official as of yet. SeaPort will provide twice daily service to Wichita, and once daily service to Kansas City through Salina.
The fact that the order has not been issued could delay the start of the probable SeaPort service beyond the first of May, Miller said. “We are in contact with both SeaPort and DOT.”
Under the next contracts, Hays will retain Denver service. This allows area residents to choose either an east-bound destinations through Great Bend, or a west-bound destinations through Hays.
This allows area residents to choose either an east-bound destination through Great Bend, or a west-bound destination through Hays, Miller said. “The City of Great Bend looks forward to sharing efforts with Hays, so that area residents have the option to fly east out of Great Bend, or west out of Hays.”
At its Jan. 6 meeting, the Great Bend City Council accepted its Essential Air Service Committee recommendation to pick SeaPort as the EAS provider. This recommendation was forwarded to the DOT which has the final say in the matter.
The USDOT sent the two proposals the city. The federal agency administers the program and will make the ultimate decision, but wanted local input first.
At the January meeting, it was noted that SeaPort offers 18 round-trip flights to Wichita each week via a nine-passenger aircraft. There is also a chance some of the flights could be through Kansas City.
The other bid came from Great Lakes. Its plan, which is similar to the current one, called for 12 round-trip flights per week to Denver via a 19-passenger plane.
Every two years, the USDOT solicits bids for EAS carriers.
There were several factors that went into the committee’s decision.
First, the current carrier wasn’t meeting city expectations. The airline canceled 22 of 48 flights in November, canceled 18 in December and has only flown limited flights so far this year.
There were other stories of poor service, passengers being stranded in airports and lost luggage.
But, some on the council supported Great Lakes and said the Federal Aviation Administration changed pilot hour requirements. This has lead to a pilot shortage for Great Lakes.
A Great Bend resident who flies out of Great Bend to Denver often spoke at the meeting as well. The frequent passenger said a flight to Wichita is “pointless” and Denver is a major hub, making for fewer layovers.
However, during the EAS selection two years ago when Great Lakes was selected, there were also bad reports about Great Lakes. At that time, there were no FAA changes.
A city’s EAS status depends on the number of passengers and its distance from a hub. However, passenger count is the big factor, and should people stop flying Great Lakes due to the service, the city runs the risk of losing EAS.
The SeaPort bid was lower than Great Lake’s bid. It came in at $1.4 million and was $541,000 lower than Great Lakes, and the feds might look favorably on that.
Also, SeaPort uses Cessna Caravan planes which are still in production. Great Lakes flies Beechcraft 1900s which are not being made anymore, causing problems getting parts.
Other considerations were the Transportation Security Administration screening process and the proximity to other airports in the area.
Up until two years ago, Great Bend worked with four other western Kansas cities as sort of a rural air coalition – Dodge City, Garden City, Hays and Liberal. Garden City has since sort of broken away and sought a different carrier, and Hays is doing the same thing this year.
The city learned of the two competing proposals sort of at the last minute in late December. Mayor Mike Allison and Miller quickly formed a committee to study the matter. The goal is to have the panel in place by the end of the year and a proposal before the council this meeting.
The committee was made up of Miller, city administrators and staff members, council members, airport users and other interested individuals.
City officials forwarded comments to the DOT by the Jan. 13 deadline.
According to the DOT, the Airline Deregulation Act, passed in 1978, gave airlines almost total freedom to determine which markets to serve domestically and what fares to charge for that service. The EAS program was put into place to guarantee that small communities that were served by certificated air carriers.
This is done by subsidizing two to four round trips a day to a major hub airport. The department currently subsidizes commuter airlines to serve approximately 163 rural communities across the country that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service.
For more information contact Miller at 620-793-4168.
Source: http://www.gbtribune.com
Showing posts with label Airports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airports. Show all posts
Friday, March 14, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (KAGS), Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is looking for a new airport director
Augusta, Ga (WRDW)----The search is on to find a new airport director for Augusta Regional. The current one says he wants to let his contract run out.
The Aviation Commission is already looking for his replacement. Augusta Commissioners are getting involved.
"It's hard for me to understand why anyone would get a $10,000 raise at one time," said Commissioner Donnie Smith.
Airport Director Gary Letellier is the highest paid in Augusta Richmond County. He makes around $160,000 after a $10,000 raise last month.
"If you want to be progressive and move forward. You have to have someone with the skill set that Gary has and then you have to pay them," said Aviation Commission Member Cedric Johnson.
Just last year, commissioners stopped just short of giving city employees a $1,500 raise. "The message to the other 2700 employees is damaging," said Smith.
Commissioner Donnie Smith wants to do something about it. Lettier is retiring soon and the Aviation Commission is looking for his replacement. smith wants the Augusta Commission to have the last word over the new contract which always has belonged to the Aviation Commission.
"The Airport Commission will recommend that and the Augusta Commission will have the final sat because we own the airport," said Commissioner Donnie Smith.
"The main thing is since we concentrate really on the airport. We have a better hands on feel of what needs to be done and how it needs to be done," said Johnson.
The Aviation Commission is made up of 12 members who are all appointed. They manage the airport on an enterprise fund that receives no local tax dollars. Meaning they generate what they spend. Their budget is between $40 to $45 million.
"Simply because you have money in the enterprise fund doesn't necessarily mean it's right," said
Reports show since Letellier took over airport ridership and revenue has increased. We're told he brought in more parking and a new runway ramp. Regardless his flight is heading out of town while some commissioners continue to chart the course on how to give other employees a raise as well.
Story and video: http://www.wrdw.com
Augusta, Ga (WRDW)----The search is on to find a new airport director for Augusta Regional. The current one says he wants to let his contract run out.
The Aviation Commission is already looking for his replacement. Augusta Commissioners are getting involved.
"It's hard for me to understand why anyone would get a $10,000 raise at one time," said Commissioner Donnie Smith.
Airport Director Gary Letellier is the highest paid in Augusta Richmond County. He makes around $160,000 after a $10,000 raise last month.
"If you want to be progressive and move forward. You have to have someone with the skill set that Gary has and then you have to pay them," said Aviation Commission Member Cedric Johnson.
Just last year, commissioners stopped just short of giving city employees a $1,500 raise. "The message to the other 2700 employees is damaging," said Smith.
Commissioner Donnie Smith wants to do something about it. Lettier is retiring soon and the Aviation Commission is looking for his replacement. smith wants the Augusta Commission to have the last word over the new contract which always has belonged to the Aviation Commission.
"The Airport Commission will recommend that and the Augusta Commission will have the final sat because we own the airport," said Commissioner Donnie Smith.
"The main thing is since we concentrate really on the airport. We have a better hands on feel of what needs to be done and how it needs to be done," said Johnson.
The Aviation Commission is made up of 12 members who are all appointed. They manage the airport on an enterprise fund that receives no local tax dollars. Meaning they generate what they spend. Their budget is between $40 to $45 million.
"Simply because you have money in the enterprise fund doesn't necessarily mean it's right," said
Reports show since Letellier took over airport ridership and revenue has increased. We're told he brought in more parking and a new runway ramp. Regardless his flight is heading out of town while some commissioners continue to chart the course on how to give other employees a raise as well.
Story and video: http://www.wrdw.com
Monday, March 10, 2014
Pilots from around the country enjoy Alton Bay ice: Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18), New Hampshire
ALTON — Every winter, when the surface of Alton Bay freezes into thick ice, an airport is reborn.
The Alton Bay Airport, an airstrip on the ice of Lake Winnipesaukee, is owned and operated by the state. Airport Manager Paul Larochelle and his staff maintain the 2,600-foot runway, keeping it plowed and smooth for single-engine planes, the largest planes (aside from seaplanes) allowed to land.
There are very few local people using the airport, which has quietly been operating on the lower end of Lake Winnipesaukee since the late 1960s, Larochelle said.
It's mostly used by aviation enthusiasts from the region and around the country, most of whom enjoy landing on the ice and wandering around the Alton Bay ice, where two dozen or so airplanes park on any given weekend day.
"The airport is a novelty," Larochelle said. "It's the only airport like this in the country, and people really enjoy landing here."
On Saturday afternoon, planes were landing at the rate of about five an hour, which is not unusual, he said.
The airport aids the local economy by bringing new customers to town. Residents and the aviation enthusiast community know the airport well, but most people in the area and in the state don't know much about it, airport workers said.
On Saturday, the ice at the airport was busy with pilots and locals milling about, enjoying the parade of planes coming and going. The ice was almost as busy as it had been on the north end of the lake in Meredith in February, when thousands flocked to a fishing derby and a pond hockey tournament.
"A lot of people in the area don't know about (the airport)," Larochelle said. "But everyone here loves it."
"It's a really nice little airport, and landing on the ice is really fun," said Kim Brown of Hampton Falls, whose plane crashed at the airport Saturday.
Chris Clayton of Emerson Aviation in Gilford said the airport is a favorite for pilots.
"It's really beautiful here, everyone loves flying here," he said.
The airport is a registered seaplane base, Larochelle said.
Story and photo: http://www.unionleader.com
The Alton Bay Airport, an airstrip on the ice of Lake Winnipesaukee, is owned and operated by the state. Airport Manager Paul Larochelle and his staff maintain the 2,600-foot runway, keeping it plowed and smooth for single-engine planes, the largest planes (aside from seaplanes) allowed to land.
There are very few local people using the airport, which has quietly been operating on the lower end of Lake Winnipesaukee since the late 1960s, Larochelle said.
It's mostly used by aviation enthusiasts from the region and around the country, most of whom enjoy landing on the ice and wandering around the Alton Bay ice, where two dozen or so airplanes park on any given weekend day.
"The airport is a novelty," Larochelle said. "It's the only airport like this in the country, and people really enjoy landing here."
On Saturday afternoon, planes were landing at the rate of about five an hour, which is not unusual, he said.
The airport aids the local economy by bringing new customers to town. Residents and the aviation enthusiast community know the airport well, but most people in the area and in the state don't know much about it, airport workers said.
On Saturday, the ice at the airport was busy with pilots and locals milling about, enjoying the parade of planes coming and going. The ice was almost as busy as it had been on the north end of the lake in Meredith in February, when thousands flocked to a fishing derby and a pond hockey tournament.
"A lot of people in the area don't know about (the airport)," Larochelle said. "But everyone here loves it."
"It's a really nice little airport, and landing on the ice is really fun," said Kim Brown of Hampton Falls, whose plane crashed at the airport Saturday.
Chris Clayton of Emerson Aviation in Gilford said the airport is a favorite for pilots.
"It's really beautiful here, everyone loves flying here," he said.
The airport is a registered seaplane base, Larochelle said.
Story and photo: http://www.unionleader.com
Atlantic City International Airport (KACY), New Jersey
Officials: Cargo carriers could boost jobs at Atlantic City Airport
Atlantic City International Airport’s growth strategy has focused primarily on attracting more airline service, but a new element is emerging — packages, as well as passengers.
There are no cargo carriers serving the airport; UPS, FedEx, DHL and other air-freight companies simply don’t fly here. And the prospects of having them land at Atlantic City International any time soon are unclear.
But cargo carriers are highly coveted. Airport supporters argue that cargo operators may be just as prized as passenger airlines because of the jobs and economic development they could bring to the region.
“I don’t think there is anything more important to the county and the region than the expansion of the airport and the creation of jobs,” said Absecon Mayor John Armstrong, one of the area’s leading proponents of air-cargo operations.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which took over operation of Atlantic City International in July, said it is in talks with cargo carriers and related companies, but did not name them. Those discussions are going on simultaneously with the authority’s efforts to draw new passenger air service.
“The Port Authority’s mission at Atlantic City International Airport is primarily to increase the number of commercial-passenger air carriers. Such efforts, however, also boost cargo operations, since the majority of air cargo currently moves in the holds of passenger aircraft,” agency spokesman Ron Marsico said in a statement.
Marsico said the talks include not just the possibility of cargo operators flying here but having shipping companies develop new facilities on the airport grounds.
Airport backers assert that cargo carriers and shipping companies are absolutely key to Atlantic City International’s growth. They believe the region’s casino-dominated economy could be diversified if cargo carriers establish a home base here.
Armstrong maintained that thousands of job losses in the casino industry in recent years have created an economic crisis. He sees the airport’s development as offering the greatest chance for a turnaround.
“We are in a depression in this area — not a recession, a depression,” he said. “It’s independent of the national economy. I think that the best and perhaps only realistic opportunity to generate new jobs, reasonably good-paying jobs, is through the utilization of the airport.”
Some planning has begun. An updated version of the airport’s 2010 master plan envisions a 20-acre site on the airfield to accommodate cargo carriers and a freight-handling facility. The area would handle as many as five large cargo planes, such as the ones used by the major freight carriers. But the project remains on the drawing board while Atlantic City International awaits the arrival of the cargo companies.
Industrial parks in Absecon and other Atlantic County communities surrounding the airport — located 10 miles west of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township — could provide the land and infrastructure to support cargo operations, Armstrong said.
Also working in the airport’s favor is a centralized location and a well-developed highway network that would serve the cargo companies well once their planes land and packages are transferred to trucks for final shipment, one state lawmaker said.
“The cargo capitalizes on the location of the airport, sort of in the center of the East Coast megalopolis,” said Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic. “If you fly to Atlantic City, you’re in the middle of New York, Washington, D.C., and Philly.”
Whelan encouraged the Port Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the airport’s owner, to aggressively pursue cargo carriers instead of spending too much time and energy on courting passenger airlines.
“I think you have a better chance of landing cargo carriers than the traditional passenger ones,” Whelan said. “I’d love to be wrong about domestic flights coming, but I don’t see anything showing me success there.”
Prior to taking over Atlantic City International’s operations last year, the Port Authority commissioned a $3 million consulting study to gauge the potential for new air service and cargo operations. QED Airport & Aviation Consultants, in a 58-page report, recommended air cargo as a new source of airport revenue, although most of its findings focused on the benefits of more airline service.
Spirit Airlines is currently the airport’s only scheduled carrier. However, the Port Authority has signed up United Airlines for daily service to Atlantic City from its Chicago and Houston hubs beginning April 1.
The airport’s growth is a crucial part of Gov. Chris Christie’s five-year initiative to boost Atlantic City tourism. The governor wants to revive the casino industry by attracting more conventioneers and overnight visitors. Under the plan, the day-tripping gamblers who have been lost to competing casino markets in surrounding states would be replaced by visitors who fly to Atlantic City and stay a few nights.
While debate continues on the likelihood of that strategy succeeding in coming years, some are pushing for an immediate lift to the local economy. Armstrong bluntly said, “We’re desperate here.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” he continued. “We need more jobs. It’s got to be related to that airport. That’s all we’ve got, and it’s a lot.”
Story and comments/reaction: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Atlantic City International Airport’s growth strategy has focused primarily on attracting more airline service, but a new element is emerging — packages, as well as passengers.
There are no cargo carriers serving the airport; UPS, FedEx, DHL and other air-freight companies simply don’t fly here. And the prospects of having them land at Atlantic City International any time soon are unclear.
But cargo carriers are highly coveted. Airport supporters argue that cargo operators may be just as prized as passenger airlines because of the jobs and economic development they could bring to the region.
“I don’t think there is anything more important to the county and the region than the expansion of the airport and the creation of jobs,” said Absecon Mayor John Armstrong, one of the area’s leading proponents of air-cargo operations.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which took over operation of Atlantic City International in July, said it is in talks with cargo carriers and related companies, but did not name them. Those discussions are going on simultaneously with the authority’s efforts to draw new passenger air service.
“The Port Authority’s mission at Atlantic City International Airport is primarily to increase the number of commercial-passenger air carriers. Such efforts, however, also boost cargo operations, since the majority of air cargo currently moves in the holds of passenger aircraft,” agency spokesman Ron Marsico said in a statement.
Marsico said the talks include not just the possibility of cargo operators flying here but having shipping companies develop new facilities on the airport grounds.
Airport backers assert that cargo carriers and shipping companies are absolutely key to Atlantic City International’s growth. They believe the region’s casino-dominated economy could be diversified if cargo carriers establish a home base here.
Armstrong maintained that thousands of job losses in the casino industry in recent years have created an economic crisis. He sees the airport’s development as offering the greatest chance for a turnaround.
“We are in a depression in this area — not a recession, a depression,” he said. “It’s independent of the national economy. I think that the best and perhaps only realistic opportunity to generate new jobs, reasonably good-paying jobs, is through the utilization of the airport.”
Some planning has begun. An updated version of the airport’s 2010 master plan envisions a 20-acre site on the airfield to accommodate cargo carriers and a freight-handling facility. The area would handle as many as five large cargo planes, such as the ones used by the major freight carriers. But the project remains on the drawing board while Atlantic City International awaits the arrival of the cargo companies.
Industrial parks in Absecon and other Atlantic County communities surrounding the airport — located 10 miles west of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township — could provide the land and infrastructure to support cargo operations, Armstrong said.
Also working in the airport’s favor is a centralized location and a well-developed highway network that would serve the cargo companies well once their planes land and packages are transferred to trucks for final shipment, one state lawmaker said.
“The cargo capitalizes on the location of the airport, sort of in the center of the East Coast megalopolis,” said Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic. “If you fly to Atlantic City, you’re in the middle of New York, Washington, D.C., and Philly.”
Whelan encouraged the Port Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the airport’s owner, to aggressively pursue cargo carriers instead of spending too much time and energy on courting passenger airlines.
“I think you have a better chance of landing cargo carriers than the traditional passenger ones,” Whelan said. “I’d love to be wrong about domestic flights coming, but I don’t see anything showing me success there.”
Prior to taking over Atlantic City International’s operations last year, the Port Authority commissioned a $3 million consulting study to gauge the potential for new air service and cargo operations. QED Airport & Aviation Consultants, in a 58-page report, recommended air cargo as a new source of airport revenue, although most of its findings focused on the benefits of more airline service.
Spirit Airlines is currently the airport’s only scheduled carrier. However, the Port Authority has signed up United Airlines for daily service to Atlantic City from its Chicago and Houston hubs beginning April 1.
The airport’s growth is a crucial part of Gov. Chris Christie’s five-year initiative to boost Atlantic City tourism. The governor wants to revive the casino industry by attracting more conventioneers and overnight visitors. Under the plan, the day-tripping gamblers who have been lost to competing casino markets in surrounding states would be replaced by visitors who fly to Atlantic City and stay a few nights.
While debate continues on the likelihood of that strategy succeeding in coming years, some are pushing for an immediate lift to the local economy. Armstrong bluntly said, “We’re desperate here.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” he continued. “We need more jobs. It’s got to be related to that airport. That’s all we’ve got, and it’s a lot.”
Story and comments/reaction: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Waterloo Regional (KALO), Iowa: New airport director working to see traffic take off
WATERLOO | Mike Wilson wants Waterloo to fly with the bigger airports.
Never mind that the airlines have shown a distinct predilection over the last 20 years or so toward using bigger facilities in the name of cost efficiencies.
Wilson, the new director of Waterloo Regional Airport, said the local airfield can get a bigger slice of the commercial travel business.
The local airport has all the right ingredients in place to make such a move, said Wilson, who started his new job Feb. 18.
“The facility is beautiful, the terminal is very nice,” said Wilson, 33, who came to Waterloo after three years as director of Aberdeen Regional Airport in South Dakota.
Wilson was hired to replace Brad Hagen, who left the post in summer 2013 after an 11-year stint to become the supervisor of airport projects and operations at Mesa Falcon Field Airport, a larger airfield in the Phoenix area.
For several months after Hagen’s departure, the airport was run on an interim basis by Austin, Texas-based Trillion Aviation.
Perhaps Waterloo’s biggest ticket to more traffic is its runway, Wilson said.
“We have a the longest runway in the state, which is a huge asset,” he said, noting that the 150-foot-wide runway can accommodate larger aircraft than the 50-seat jets that jump in and out of Waterloo twice a day.
He said Allegiant Air, for example, could be interested in a facility like Waterloo.
“The 150-foot-wide runway is typically something Allegiant looks at,” he said. “It really helps in trying to attract airlines.”
Currently, American Airlines services Waterloo Regional with twice-daily connections to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Wilson said he’s looking into more flights with American.
“Now, I’m trying to work with American and see what we can do to increase service with them,” Wilson said.
In 2013, the local airport had 20,957 passengers embarking from Waterloo and 21,613 travelers arriving.
Wilson said those numbers are considerably lower than they should be. He said it’s not unreasonable to expect a passenger count approaching 60,000 in and out.
“This metro area has about 180,000 people. the community I was in had a metro area of about 36,000, and we were running about 20,000 passengers,” he said.
Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark, part of the search committee that hired Wilson, said he liked the energy he saw.
“I know we did a pretty thorough search and came down to two qualified candidates,” Clark said. “I had the opportunity to speak with both of them and I much preferred Mike over the other candidate. With just a week under his belt with Waterloo, I’m convinced we made a good choice. He has hit the ground running, seems very knowledgeable and is anxious to get to work on some projects he thinks will make a positive impact in Waterloo.”
Wilson said the potential of Waterloo’s airport, and its location in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Central Region, drew him to the position.
“This region helps airports a little more, especially when it comes to being self-sufficient,” said Wilson, who had been in the FAA’s Great Lakes Region in his last job. “This airport does not take a tax subsidy. A lot of (revenue) comes from the cropland around it.”
The cropland Waterloo Regional leases generates about $350,000 a year, Wilson said.
Prior to running Aberdeen’s airport, Wilson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, managed the airport in Brookings, S.D., for 3 1/2 years.
Wilson said he is convinced Waterloo Regional Airport can compete strongly for traffic against regional rivals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, and he said he plans an aggressive marketing campaign for the local facility.
“I did a similar campaign in Aberdeen, and our emplanements went up about 25-30 percent,” Wilson said.
The campaign involved radio ads as well as a billboard set up near a competing airport.
The airline serving Aberdeen added a third daily flight, and that’s a goal in Waterloo, Wilson said. There may be some opportunities to add flights, at least during peak travel months.
“I talked to American, and they said they were looking at adding capacity last year, but that was pushed back due to the merger" with US Airways, Wilson said. ”Hopefully we can get some additional flights.”
A daily schedule of only two flights in and out is not enough, Wilson said.
“Two flights a day are difficult, especially for business travelers, to make connections,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to see a midday flight to the mix.”
Story and photos: http://wcfcourier.com
Never mind that the airlines have shown a distinct predilection over the last 20 years or so toward using bigger facilities in the name of cost efficiencies.
Wilson, the new director of Waterloo Regional Airport, said the local airfield can get a bigger slice of the commercial travel business.
The local airport has all the right ingredients in place to make such a move, said Wilson, who started his new job Feb. 18.
“The facility is beautiful, the terminal is very nice,” said Wilson, 33, who came to Waterloo after three years as director of Aberdeen Regional Airport in South Dakota.
Wilson was hired to replace Brad Hagen, who left the post in summer 2013 after an 11-year stint to become the supervisor of airport projects and operations at Mesa Falcon Field Airport, a larger airfield in the Phoenix area.
For several months after Hagen’s departure, the airport was run on an interim basis by Austin, Texas-based Trillion Aviation.
Perhaps Waterloo’s biggest ticket to more traffic is its runway, Wilson said.
“We have a the longest runway in the state, which is a huge asset,” he said, noting that the 150-foot-wide runway can accommodate larger aircraft than the 50-seat jets that jump in and out of Waterloo twice a day.
He said Allegiant Air, for example, could be interested in a facility like Waterloo.
“The 150-foot-wide runway is typically something Allegiant looks at,” he said. “It really helps in trying to attract airlines.”
Currently, American Airlines services Waterloo Regional with twice-daily connections to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Wilson said he’s looking into more flights with American.
“Now, I’m trying to work with American and see what we can do to increase service with them,” Wilson said.
In 2013, the local airport had 20,957 passengers embarking from Waterloo and 21,613 travelers arriving.
Wilson said those numbers are considerably lower than they should be. He said it’s not unreasonable to expect a passenger count approaching 60,000 in and out.
“This metro area has about 180,000 people. the community I was in had a metro area of about 36,000, and we were running about 20,000 passengers,” he said.
Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark, part of the search committee that hired Wilson, said he liked the energy he saw.
“I know we did a pretty thorough search and came down to two qualified candidates,” Clark said. “I had the opportunity to speak with both of them and I much preferred Mike over the other candidate. With just a week under his belt with Waterloo, I’m convinced we made a good choice. He has hit the ground running, seems very knowledgeable and is anxious to get to work on some projects he thinks will make a positive impact in Waterloo.”
Wilson said the potential of Waterloo’s airport, and its location in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Central Region, drew him to the position.
“This region helps airports a little more, especially when it comes to being self-sufficient,” said Wilson, who had been in the FAA’s Great Lakes Region in his last job. “This airport does not take a tax subsidy. A lot of (revenue) comes from the cropland around it.”
The cropland Waterloo Regional leases generates about $350,000 a year, Wilson said.
Prior to running Aberdeen’s airport, Wilson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, managed the airport in Brookings, S.D., for 3 1/2 years.
Wilson said he is convinced Waterloo Regional Airport can compete strongly for traffic against regional rivals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, and he said he plans an aggressive marketing campaign for the local facility.
“I did a similar campaign in Aberdeen, and our emplanements went up about 25-30 percent,” Wilson said.
The campaign involved radio ads as well as a billboard set up near a competing airport.
The airline serving Aberdeen added a third daily flight, and that’s a goal in Waterloo, Wilson said. There may be some opportunities to add flights, at least during peak travel months.
“I talked to American, and they said they were looking at adding capacity last year, but that was pushed back due to the merger" with US Airways, Wilson said. ”Hopefully we can get some additional flights.”
A daily schedule of only two flights in and out is not enough, Wilson said.
“Two flights a day are difficult, especially for business travelers, to make connections,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to see a midday flight to the mix.”
Story and photos: http://wcfcourier.com
Cape Air wants passengers to park for free Provincetown Municipal Airport (KPVC), Massachusetts
A proposal to charge for parking at the Provincetown Municipal Airport didn't fly with Cape Air spokesperson Michelle Haynes.
PROVINCETOWN
A proposal to charge for parking at the Provincetown Municipal Airport didn’t fly with Cape Air spokesperson Michelle Haynes.
"It has come up before; it is something we’re very concerned about,” she told the finance committee last week. “Our request to you … is that you look at this very closely and what this may do to us as a business.”
The problem, Haynes said, is that the small airline operates at a deficit seven months a year and faces stiff competition from fast ferries and cars. Free parking is a perk of landing in Provincetown, she said, adding that 80 percent of the vehicles parked there sport resident parking permits on their windshields.
Mike Valenti, chair of the airport commission, said Monday that the airline relies on — in fact it needs — 10,000 paid passengers to fly out of Provincetown to receive about $1 million in federal grants a year. The $95,000 that the town has budgeted for the airport doesn’t cover big projects required to keep it up and running, he added. Thus, a dip in passenger numbers could kill its funding and possibly the airline’s operation here.
Mike Canizales, chair of the FinCom, said that his committee is looking to “moderately raise” embarkation rates for everyone and feels that those who can afford to fly can afford to park.
But, Haynes responded, there’s got to be perks to flying out of Provincetown because landing in Logan International Airport is a hassle.
“We are here today [through winter] at six passengers a day,” she said. “We are here year-round. … That’s a major difference.”
And yet FinCom members were adamant that a $5 or $10 parking charge wouldn’t hurt people who can afford to fly.
“You’re getting into a chunk of money that can help with a lot of priorities,” Canizales said, and seemed surprised to find that Cape Air rents parking spaces to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “So we give you parking for free and you rent it out?”
Haynes said that she’d return with relevant financial and passenger numbers. Meanwhile Clarence Walker, another FinCom member, would like those who park at the airport for two or three months for free while they vacation in the winter to pay up. Haynes agreed that something should be done about that.
Story and photo: http://provincetown.wickedlocal.com
PROVINCETOWN
A proposal to charge for parking at the Provincetown Municipal Airport didn’t fly with Cape Air spokesperson Michelle Haynes.
"It has come up before; it is something we’re very concerned about,” she told the finance committee last week. “Our request to you … is that you look at this very closely and what this may do to us as a business.”
The problem, Haynes said, is that the small airline operates at a deficit seven months a year and faces stiff competition from fast ferries and cars. Free parking is a perk of landing in Provincetown, she said, adding that 80 percent of the vehicles parked there sport resident parking permits on their windshields.
Mike Valenti, chair of the airport commission, said Monday that the airline relies on — in fact it needs — 10,000 paid passengers to fly out of Provincetown to receive about $1 million in federal grants a year. The $95,000 that the town has budgeted for the airport doesn’t cover big projects required to keep it up and running, he added. Thus, a dip in passenger numbers could kill its funding and possibly the airline’s operation here.
Mike Canizales, chair of the FinCom, said that his committee is looking to “moderately raise” embarkation rates for everyone and feels that those who can afford to fly can afford to park.
But, Haynes responded, there’s got to be perks to flying out of Provincetown because landing in Logan International Airport is a hassle.
“We are here today [through winter] at six passengers a day,” she said. “We are here year-round. … That’s a major difference.”
And yet FinCom members were adamant that a $5 or $10 parking charge wouldn’t hurt people who can afford to fly.
“You’re getting into a chunk of money that can help with a lot of priorities,” Canizales said, and seemed surprised to find that Cape Air rents parking spaces to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “So we give you parking for free and you rent it out?”
Haynes said that she’d return with relevant financial and passenger numbers. Meanwhile Clarence Walker, another FinCom member, would like those who park at the airport for two or three months for free while they vacation in the winter to pay up. Haynes agreed that something should be done about that.
Story and photo: http://provincetown.wickedlocal.com
Somaliland: Aviation Ministry Embarks on Burao Airport Development
Hargeisa: (Somalilandsun)
– Burao airport is the next targeted in the ongoing development of
airports in the country following successful Egal in Hargeisa and
Berbera in Sahil.
This was revealed by the Somaliland minister of aviation Hon. Mohamud Hashi Abdi after his monitoring and evaluation tour of Burao airport which construction for its planned expansion project is going on.
The minister said that the project is a success hence it a large portion of land that belonged to the airport and had been invaded by squatters illegally has been recovered and development work proceeding accordingly.
In the media briefing the minister stated that the airport in Burao had been deleted from the ICAO world airports records after it airstrip was looted.He added that the government started the battle of relocating the vast looted lands that was legally part of Burao airport.
The minister said that the project has also succeeded in the construction of a 9 km perimeter wall of which 4.5 km is a bricked concrete wall and the other 4.5 km is barbed wire which ICAO have approved
The aviation minister said that the next project is the construction of a 3 km runway that will commence soon.
He concluded by saying that the Hargeisa and Berbera airports respectively pass the international airports standard and the government will to it that the other remaining ones follow the suit.
http://somalilandsun.com
This was revealed by the Somaliland minister of aviation Hon. Mohamud Hashi Abdi after his monitoring and evaluation tour of Burao airport which construction for its planned expansion project is going on.
The minister said that the project is a success hence it a large portion of land that belonged to the airport and had been invaded by squatters illegally has been recovered and development work proceeding accordingly.
In the media briefing the minister stated that the airport in Burao had been deleted from the ICAO world airports records after it airstrip was looted.He added that the government started the battle of relocating the vast looted lands that was legally part of Burao airport.
The minister said that the project has also succeeded in the construction of a 9 km perimeter wall of which 4.5 km is a bricked concrete wall and the other 4.5 km is barbed wire which ICAO have approved
The aviation minister said that the next project is the construction of a 3 km runway that will commence soon.
He concluded by saying that the Hargeisa and Berbera airports respectively pass the international airports standard and the government will to it that the other remaining ones follow the suit.
http://somalilandsun.com
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (KPIB), Mississippi
Hattiesburg-Laurel Airport Officials Look For New Carrier
ONES COUNTY, Miss. - The contract for the one commercial airline carrier at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport expires in a few months.
Airport management says the airline most likely wont be returning.
"That hasn't worked well as we thought, said PIB Executive Director Tom Heanue. "There have been some issues."
Heanue believes Silver Airways will soon pull air service in the Pine Belt. The small airline has been the commercial carrier at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport since Delta decided to leave in 2012.
"We use to do about 1,000 people a month flying out and about that much coming in," he said. "Our numbers are down to about 300 a month leaving."
Some of the problems, Heanue said comes from new FAA regulations, and a shortage of pilots.
"That's really put a hindrance on small carries and Silver was one of them," he said.
Right Silver provides commercial flight service to Atlanta.
"I believe its been poor management they've not been able to make the Southern hub work out of Atlanta," he said.
The contract between the airport and the air carrier expires at the end of September. PIB says no other airlines have submitted bids to service the Pine Belt, and Heanue doesn't believe Silver Airways will return.
"We are hoping that we can go out and find someone else, it's not easy, it's difficult," he said. "About 25 years ago they would want to knock on your door and come to your location. Now it is a money game, fuel is high, moving passengers, unions, so small airports is not really where they want to be unless there's an opportunity for profit."
PIB is asking for travel data from 2013 from customers to help them seek a new carrier. You can submit that information to your local chamber or to the airport at tom.heanue@flypib.com.
Story and video: http://www.whlt.com
WHLT 22 Connecting the Pine Belt
ONES COUNTY, Miss. - The contract for the one commercial airline carrier at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport expires in a few months.
Airport management says the airline most likely wont be returning.
"That hasn't worked well as we thought, said PIB Executive Director Tom Heanue. "There have been some issues."
Heanue believes Silver Airways will soon pull air service in the Pine Belt. The small airline has been the commercial carrier at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport since Delta decided to leave in 2012.
"We use to do about 1,000 people a month flying out and about that much coming in," he said. "Our numbers are down to about 300 a month leaving."
Some of the problems, Heanue said comes from new FAA regulations, and a shortage of pilots.
"That's really put a hindrance on small carries and Silver was one of them," he said.
Right Silver provides commercial flight service to Atlanta.
"I believe its been poor management they've not been able to make the Southern hub work out of Atlanta," he said.
The contract between the airport and the air carrier expires at the end of September. PIB says no other airlines have submitted bids to service the Pine Belt, and Heanue doesn't believe Silver Airways will return.
"We are hoping that we can go out and find someone else, it's not easy, it's difficult," he said. "About 25 years ago they would want to knock on your door and come to your location. Now it is a money game, fuel is high, moving passengers, unions, so small airports is not really where they want to be unless there's an opportunity for profit."
PIB is asking for travel data from 2013 from customers to help them seek a new carrier. You can submit that information to your local chamber or to the airport at tom.heanue@flypib.com.
Story and video: http://www.whlt.com
WHLT 22 Connecting the Pine Belt
Monday, March 03, 2014
Storm Delays, Cancels Flights At Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Pennsylvania
Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29
PHILADELPHIA -
Philadelphia International Airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica joined the FOX 29 Morning News to provide an update Monday morning.
She said there were no planes taking off or landing early Monday morning.
"In anticipation of the weather event, airlines preemptively canceled the majority of the flights this morning. So, travelers had a good idea that their travel plans were change," Lupica said. "It gives us a chance to have our crews clearing the runways and roadways."
Travelers are being encouraged to check on their flights either by contacting their individual airlines, checking the airport's site www.phl.org, or calling its toll-free flight information number which is 800-PHL-GATE.
Lupica said the airlines are expected to resume normal operations around noon.
The airport also tweeted shortly before 7 a.m., "The majority of arriving/departing flights had been canceled for this morning & airlines plan to resume normal operations around noon today!"
Lupica added that the airport's "very seasoned crews, at this point" are working to get all of the snow off the runways and taxiways.
She urged everyone to exercise caution whether they are traveling or picking someone up at the airport.
Story and video: http://www.myfoxphilly.com
PHILADELPHIA -
Philadelphia International Airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica joined the FOX 29 Morning News to provide an update Monday morning.
She said there were no planes taking off or landing early Monday morning.
"In anticipation of the weather event, airlines preemptively canceled the majority of the flights this morning. So, travelers had a good idea that their travel plans were change," Lupica said. "It gives us a chance to have our crews clearing the runways and roadways."
Travelers are being encouraged to check on their flights either by contacting their individual airlines, checking the airport's site www.phl.org, or calling its toll-free flight information number which is 800-PHL-GATE.
Lupica said the airlines are expected to resume normal operations around noon.
The airport also tweeted shortly before 7 a.m., "The majority of arriving/departing flights had been canceled for this morning & airlines plan to resume normal operations around noon today!"
Lupica added that the airport's "very seasoned crews, at this point" are working to get all of the snow off the runways and taxiways.
She urged everyone to exercise caution whether they are traveling or picking someone up at the airport.
Story and video: http://www.myfoxphilly.com
Sunday, March 02, 2014
More than 160 apply for Charleston airport deputy director
Bill New should be flattered.
More than 160 people have applied to replace him as deputy director at Charleston County Aviation Authority.
Resumes came from local residents and as far away as Alaska, said Paul Campbell, director of Charleston County's three airports, including Charleston International, the state's busiest.
"We have a really good selection of resumes," he said. "It goes to show how attractive Charleston is across the nation, and even some local people see the airport as a nice career, even with some bad publicity."
Campbell was referring to recent controversy involving Aviation Authority attorney Arnold Goodstein and some members of the public who question his legal service without a contract.
Campbell, with other senior staff members including New, are reviewing the resumes and hope to narrow them down to about 10 by mid-March. Interviews and second interviews would be completed by mid-April.
"We want someone to come on board in May so they can work with Bill for a couple of months," he said.
Campbell will make the final decision, not the 13-member Aviation Authority board, which hires only the director and the attorney.
New will retire June 30. He started at the airport as police chief in 1995 before moving up deputy airports director in 2007. Prior to that, he served 21 years with North Charleston Police Department.
Although New serves as deputy director, he earns the salary of former airports director Sue Stevens before she resigned in July. Board members boosted his payroll by $36,000 in September. He receives $211,000 a year. Campbell, the director, earns $192,000 a year.
Source: http://www.postandcourier.com
More than 160 people have applied to replace him as deputy director at Charleston County Aviation Authority.
Resumes came from local residents and as far away as Alaska, said Paul Campbell, director of Charleston County's three airports, including Charleston International, the state's busiest.
"We have a really good selection of resumes," he said. "It goes to show how attractive Charleston is across the nation, and even some local people see the airport as a nice career, even with some bad publicity."
Campbell was referring to recent controversy involving Aviation Authority attorney Arnold Goodstein and some members of the public who question his legal service without a contract.
Campbell, with other senior staff members including New, are reviewing the resumes and hope to narrow them down to about 10 by mid-March. Interviews and second interviews would be completed by mid-April.
"We want someone to come on board in May so they can work with Bill for a couple of months," he said.
Campbell will make the final decision, not the 13-member Aviation Authority board, which hires only the director and the attorney.
New will retire June 30. He started at the airport as police chief in 1995 before moving up deputy airports director in 2007. Prior to that, he served 21 years with North Charleston Police Department.
Although New serves as deputy director, he earns the salary of former airports director Sue Stevens before she resigned in July. Board members boosted his payroll by $36,000 in September. He receives $211,000 a year. Campbell, the director, earns $192,000 a year.
Source: http://www.postandcourier.com
Consultant: Air service between Pittsburgh and Northeast Pennsylvania would be profitable
Resuming commercial air service between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and Pittsburgh would probably be sustainable if an airline were willing to try it, aviation consultant Mead & Hunt found.
But that doesn't necessarily mean it will happen anytime soon - even amid the natural gas boom that would seemingly give carriers incentive to reconnect the eastern and western parts of the state.
US Airways began eliminating flights between Pittsburgh International Airport and intrastate regional airports shortly after it dropped its hub status at Pittsburgh in 2004.
Almost a decade later, the Allegheny County Airport Authority sought Mead & Hunt's study, which examined reconnecting Pennsylvania's second-largest city to the rest of the state.
The Sunday Times obtained a redacted version of the report through a Right to Know Law request.
"The three non (essential air service) markets that have significant local passenger traffic to PIT, Allentown, Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are projected to be sustainable to PIT, especially when combined with the essential air service communities," the consultant's researchers said in the report.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport had five daily flights to Pittsburgh through 2003, four daily flights in 2004 and three daily flights in each of 2005 and 2006 before US Airways pulled the plug.
Mead & Hunt's researchers examined several scenarios involving an airline initiating service between Pittsburgh and 13 connecting airports throughout Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
In every scenario involving the Pittston Twp. airport, the consultants projected an airline would make money flying between the Steel City and Northeast Pennsylvania.
Estimated annual profit margins ranged from $35,853 to $366,790 after about $3.8 million to $4.2 million in expenses associated with the route.
"If an airline is willing to do it," airport Director Barry Centini said. "Those are the key words."
Mead & Hunt also found several routes on which major airlines could lose substantial sums of money, including a possible $2.34 million loss on an unsubsidized route to Williamsport.
In that scenario, connecting to seven smaller airports would put an airline in the red $6.27 million even if flying to Northeast Pennsylvania were a profitable part of the venture.
Even just reconnecting the profitable routes has some significant challenges.
"The key issue to implementing the proposed service is finding a carrier that has the available aircraft to serve these markets profitably," the report said, citing contract agreements that have locked airline resources into certain markets.
Local airport officials tried to recruit the former Gulfstream International Airlines to resume the route, but Mr. Centini said the company was not interested.
Mead & Hunt had the same instinct, describing the company - now called Silver Airways - as "the top candidate" for the initiative and "one of the few airlines identified that could operate ... markets profitably."
Silver Airways officials told Mead & Hunt they "had no desire" to participate for now, and they instead prefer to focus on United Airlines hub cities where passengers can book flights on either airline interchangeably, the report said.
Still, Mr. Centini has hope of restoring service to Pittsburgh.
The city is one of several destinations to which airport officials can seek service with a $575,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The grant money's potential uses include providing revenue guarantees to airlines to ensure they don't lose money on new routes or offsetting startup costs like infrastructure upgrades.
Mr. Centini said he believes the airport has a realistic chance to gain service to any of the targeted places, which also include Washington, D.C., Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Source: http://thetimes-tribune.com
But that doesn't necessarily mean it will happen anytime soon - even amid the natural gas boom that would seemingly give carriers incentive to reconnect the eastern and western parts of the state.
US Airways began eliminating flights between Pittsburgh International Airport and intrastate regional airports shortly after it dropped its hub status at Pittsburgh in 2004.
Almost a decade later, the Allegheny County Airport Authority sought Mead & Hunt's study, which examined reconnecting Pennsylvania's second-largest city to the rest of the state.
The Sunday Times obtained a redacted version of the report through a Right to Know Law request.
"The three non (essential air service) markets that have significant local passenger traffic to PIT, Allentown, Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are projected to be sustainable to PIT, especially when combined with the essential air service communities," the consultant's researchers said in the report.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport had five daily flights to Pittsburgh through 2003, four daily flights in 2004 and three daily flights in each of 2005 and 2006 before US Airways pulled the plug.
Mead & Hunt's researchers examined several scenarios involving an airline initiating service between Pittsburgh and 13 connecting airports throughout Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
In every scenario involving the Pittston Twp. airport, the consultants projected an airline would make money flying between the Steel City and Northeast Pennsylvania.
Estimated annual profit margins ranged from $35,853 to $366,790 after about $3.8 million to $4.2 million in expenses associated with the route.
"If an airline is willing to do it," airport Director Barry Centini said. "Those are the key words."
Mead & Hunt also found several routes on which major airlines could lose substantial sums of money, including a possible $2.34 million loss on an unsubsidized route to Williamsport.
In that scenario, connecting to seven smaller airports would put an airline in the red $6.27 million even if flying to Northeast Pennsylvania were a profitable part of the venture.
Even just reconnecting the profitable routes has some significant challenges.
"The key issue to implementing the proposed service is finding a carrier that has the available aircraft to serve these markets profitably," the report said, citing contract agreements that have locked airline resources into certain markets.
Local airport officials tried to recruit the former Gulfstream International Airlines to resume the route, but Mr. Centini said the company was not interested.
Mead & Hunt had the same instinct, describing the company - now called Silver Airways - as "the top candidate" for the initiative and "one of the few airlines identified that could operate ... markets profitably."
Silver Airways officials told Mead & Hunt they "had no desire" to participate for now, and they instead prefer to focus on United Airlines hub cities where passengers can book flights on either airline interchangeably, the report said.
Still, Mr. Centini has hope of restoring service to Pittsburgh.
The city is one of several destinations to which airport officials can seek service with a $575,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The grant money's potential uses include providing revenue guarantees to airlines to ensure they don't lose money on new routes or offsetting startup costs like infrastructure upgrades.
Mr. Centini said he believes the airport has a realistic chance to gain service to any of the targeted places, which also include Washington, D.C., Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Source: http://thetimes-tribune.com
Saturday, March 01, 2014
Quincy Regional Airport (KUIN), Illinois
Cape Air cancels three flights Sunday
With 7 to 9 inches of snow being projected by the National Weather Service, Cape Air has canceled its first three flights out of Quincy Regional Airport on Sunday.
Cape Air and airport officials will monitor weather conditions Sunday to determine if the 4 p.m. flight will be launched. The terminal will open at 3 p.m. for travelers.
Passengers began to be notified Saturday about the cancellations to allow them to make other arrangements or postpone travel plans.
While Cape Air flights have been canceled, the airport remains open, officials said.
Source: http://www.whig.com
With 7 to 9 inches of snow being projected by the National Weather Service, Cape Air has canceled its first three flights out of Quincy Regional Airport on Sunday.
Cape Air and airport officials will monitor weather conditions Sunday to determine if the 4 p.m. flight will be launched. The terminal will open at 3 p.m. for travelers.
Passengers began to be notified Saturday about the cancellations to allow them to make other arrangements or postpone travel plans.
While Cape Air flights have been canceled, the airport remains open, officials said.
Source: http://www.whig.com
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bonding commission approves $5.2M for runway
HARTFORD -- The State Bond Commission approved $5.2 million in runway safety improvements at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford at its meeting Friday.
The commission, whose agenda is controlled by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, also approved $538,000 for rehabilitating the parking garage at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport and $2 million for the Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. to help minority-owned businesses throughout the southern half of the state obtain bidding and performance bonds.
The Sikorsky Memorial Airport improvements have been stalled for years amid arguments by Bridgeport, which owns the airport, and Stratford. The town opposed lengthening a runway that would require shifting Main Street on the eastern side of the airport.
Under the agreement announced last year, the runway will stay the same length, but an emergency arresting system will be installed before a 2015 deadline. The project is expected to cost $51 million -- $43.4 million of which will come from the federal government, $2.4 million from Bridgeport and $5.2 million from the state.
"This plan has been around for many years," said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, a former state lawmaker who got together with another veteran of the General Assembly, Stratford Mayor John Harkins, to finally hammer out a deal.
About $6 million of the project is targeted for cleaning up a former Raymark Industries landfill in Stratford.
The commission also approved an $8.9 million grant for the Westport Housing Authority to demolish 33 mobile homes at the Sasco Creek Apartments and replace them with 54 new units.
Newtown, meanwhile, was awarded $3 million to continue its planning and design phase of a new Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The Housing Authority in Danbury won a $5.1 million grant for the rehabilitation of the Glen Apartments, including the conversion of heating and cooling systems, upgraded lighting and insulation, an emergency generator, and improvements to the community building at the 100-unit elderly apartment complex.
In Stamford, $10 million was approved for railroad and road replacements.
State Rep. Gerald M. Fox III, D-Stamford, said he was pleased that the commission approved the $10 million to finance preliminary engineering for the bridge replacements and road reconstruction for the Metro-North Railroad bridges over East Main and Atlantic streets in downtown Stamford.
"The bridge replacements and related road construction is critically important to Stamford and the region," Fox said Friday. "Funding dedicated to infrastructure improvements is welcome news to commuters and our neighborhoods."
Source: http://www.ctpost.com
HARTFORD -- The State Bond Commission approved $5.2 million in runway safety improvements at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford at its meeting Friday.
The commission, whose agenda is controlled by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, also approved $538,000 for rehabilitating the parking garage at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport and $2 million for the Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. to help minority-owned businesses throughout the southern half of the state obtain bidding and performance bonds.
The Sikorsky Memorial Airport improvements have been stalled for years amid arguments by Bridgeport, which owns the airport, and Stratford. The town opposed lengthening a runway that would require shifting Main Street on the eastern side of the airport.
Under the agreement announced last year, the runway will stay the same length, but an emergency arresting system will be installed before a 2015 deadline. The project is expected to cost $51 million -- $43.4 million of which will come from the federal government, $2.4 million from Bridgeport and $5.2 million from the state.
"This plan has been around for many years," said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, a former state lawmaker who got together with another veteran of the General Assembly, Stratford Mayor John Harkins, to finally hammer out a deal.
About $6 million of the project is targeted for cleaning up a former Raymark Industries landfill in Stratford.
The commission also approved an $8.9 million grant for the Westport Housing Authority to demolish 33 mobile homes at the Sasco Creek Apartments and replace them with 54 new units.
Newtown, meanwhile, was awarded $3 million to continue its planning and design phase of a new Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The Housing Authority in Danbury won a $5.1 million grant for the rehabilitation of the Glen Apartments, including the conversion of heating and cooling systems, upgraded lighting and insulation, an emergency generator, and improvements to the community building at the 100-unit elderly apartment complex.
In Stamford, $10 million was approved for railroad and road replacements.
State Rep. Gerald M. Fox III, D-Stamford, said he was pleased that the commission approved the $10 million to finance preliminary engineering for the bridge replacements and road reconstruction for the Metro-North Railroad bridges over East Main and Atlantic streets in downtown Stamford.
"The bridge replacements and related road construction is critically important to Stamford and the region," Fox said Friday. "Funding dedicated to infrastructure improvements is welcome news to commuters and our neighborhoods."
Source: http://www.ctpost.com
Friday, February 28, 2014
Private planes burn up runway between Palm Beach International and Teterboro
WEST PALM BEACH —
Odds are, if you’re on a private plane traveling this time of year, it’s flying between Palm Beach International Airport and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey just outside of New York.
During January, the two airports were the busiest in the United States for private plane travel.
Story and video: http://www.palmbeachpost.com
During January, the two airports were the busiest in the United States for private plane travel.
Story and video: http://www.palmbeachpost.com
Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Runway at Donald Sangster Airport, MoBay to be extended
MONTEGO BAY, Feb. 28 (JIS) -- The runway at the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is to be extended at a cost of US$65 million.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller made the announcement on Friday (February 28), while addressing an Economic Reform Program (ERP) stakeholder’s conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.
Simpson Miller pointed out that due to the existing length of the runway the airport is unable to accommodate “certain sized aircraft”.
“Specific steps have been taken to address this. The design for the expansion of the runway by another 450 metres has been completed, and the Airports Authority has begun acquiring the additional parcels of land which will be needed,” she said.
She stated that there are some minor details to be worked out between the Airports Authority and the present lessee of the facility, adding that as soon as those discussions are completed the project should get started.
The Prime Minister said that a number of other projects are to come on stream, aimed at boosting economic growth and employment opportunities.
Among them is construction of the North/South link of Highway 2000. The Linstead to Moneague leg is expected to open mid-year, and the entire project is scheduled for completion by 2016.
“When completed, this road will open up for housing and commercial development, areas of the country, which have been hampered by limited accessibility,” she said.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
MONTEGO BAY, Feb. 28 (JIS) -- The runway at the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is to be extended at a cost of US$65 million.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller made the announcement on Friday (February 28), while addressing an Economic Reform Program (ERP) stakeholder’s conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.
Simpson Miller pointed out that due to the existing length of the runway the airport is unable to accommodate “certain sized aircraft”.
“Specific steps have been taken to address this. The design for the expansion of the runway by another 450 metres has been completed, and the Airports Authority has begun acquiring the additional parcels of land which will be needed,” she said.
She stated that there are some minor details to be worked out between the Airports Authority and the present lessee of the facility, adding that as soon as those discussions are completed the project should get started.
The Prime Minister said that a number of other projects are to come on stream, aimed at boosting economic growth and employment opportunities.
Among them is construction of the North/South link of Highway 2000. The Linstead to Moneague leg is expected to open mid-year, and the entire project is scheduled for completion by 2016.
“When completed, this road will open up for housing and commercial development, areas of the country, which have been hampered by limited accessibility,” she said.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (KGRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ford Airport leaders say relentless winter causes dip in passenger figures
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, MI — A relentless January winter wasn't kind to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, hindering flight schedules and lowering passenger totals for the month.
Officials announced about 157,000 passengers arrived and departed Ford Airport in January, down from about 161,800 travelers a year ago, a 2.7 percent decline.
The January figure is also off from December 2013, when about 185,000 passengers flew in or out of the airport during its second-best year with 2.23 million passengers.
"It's weather, not just here, but weather that has occurred all over the country," Executive Director Brian Ryks said at Ford Airport's board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26. "From the East Coast down to Atlanta, that has really affected us."
At the same time, Ryks said passenger seat capacity was up about 4.6 percent across all its flights.
Leaders said West Michigan's largest regional airport wasn't the only one to suffer. Traffic at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing was down 16.5 percent for the month and Muskegon County Airport down 24.5 percent, Ryks said.
Story and comments/reaction: http://www.mlive.com
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, MI — A relentless January winter wasn't kind to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, hindering flight schedules and lowering passenger totals for the month.
Officials announced about 157,000 passengers arrived and departed Ford Airport in January, down from about 161,800 travelers a year ago, a 2.7 percent decline.
The January figure is also off from December 2013, when about 185,000 passengers flew in or out of the airport during its second-best year with 2.23 million passengers.
"It's weather, not just here, but weather that has occurred all over the country," Executive Director Brian Ryks said at Ford Airport's board meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26. "From the East Coast down to Atlanta, that has really affected us."
At the same time, Ryks said passenger seat capacity was up about 4.6 percent across all its flights.
Leaders said West Michigan's largest regional airport wasn't the only one to suffer. Traffic at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing was down 16.5 percent for the month and Muskegon County Airport down 24.5 percent, Ryks said.
Story and comments/reaction: http://www.mlive.com
First repainted US Airways plane stops at Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL) - Pennsylvania
The first US Airways airplane painted in the new American Airlines colors came through Philadelphia Wednesday - Flight 1770 from Atlanta, arriving at 10:37 a.m., at Philadelphia International Airport's Gate B9.
It took 13 days and 80 gallons of paint to remove the old US Airways colors, sand, wash, seal seams, repaint, stencil and detail the Airbus A319.
In all, 300 US Airways and 350 American aircraft will get a similar makeover.
"The integration of our airlines, including painting the rest of the US Airways fleet, will take many months," said American president Scott Kirby.
US Airways merged with American Airlines in December, creating the world's largest airline: American Airlines Group Inc.
Painting the planes marks "an important step in our airlines' integration and a tangible way for customers and employees to see the result of our progress first hand," Kirby said.
By June 30, American anticipates that more than 275 aircraft will have been painted at plants in Roswell, N.M.; Victorville, Calif.; Amarillo, Tex., and Peru, Indiana.
The flight Wednesday, with 76 passengers and five crew, was operated by US Airways. It was scheduled to depart at 3:15 p.m. with 107 passengers to Boston. The freshly-painted aircraft's inaugural flight was Jan. 30 from Charlotte, N.C., to New York LaGuardia Airport.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.philly.com
It took 13 days and 80 gallons of paint to remove the old US Airways colors, sand, wash, seal seams, repaint, stencil and detail the Airbus A319.
In all, 300 US Airways and 350 American aircraft will get a similar makeover.
"The integration of our airlines, including painting the rest of the US Airways fleet, will take many months," said American president Scott Kirby.
US Airways merged with American Airlines in December, creating the world's largest airline: American Airlines Group Inc.
Painting the planes marks "an important step in our airlines' integration and a tangible way for customers and employees to see the result of our progress first hand," Kirby said.
By June 30, American anticipates that more than 275 aircraft will have been painted at plants in Roswell, N.M.; Victorville, Calif.; Amarillo, Tex., and Peru, Indiana.
The flight Wednesday, with 76 passengers and five crew, was operated by US Airways. It was scheduled to depart at 3:15 p.m. with 107 passengers to Boston. The freshly-painted aircraft's inaugural flight was Jan. 30 from Charlotte, N.C., to New York LaGuardia Airport.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.philly.com
60×80 Hangar available for lease at Demopolis Municipal Airport (KDYA) - Alabama
A corporate hangar is currently available for lease at Demopolis Municipal Airport.
Southern Tank previously leased the hangar, but they no longer have an airplane, so the city of Demopolis terminated the lease, leaving the 60×80 hangar open.
“We were leasing it out to Southern Tank, and Boyd Duckett, who owned it, no longer lives here, and they don’t have a plane anymore,” said Jason Pendergrass, the director of the airport. “The city voted to terminate the lease and we’re looking to find someone to lease it again.”
Pendergrass said it was built to be a corporate hangar, and the market to find someone to lease it is a narrow one.
“It’s an asset for us to draw someone in who has a plane,” he said. “We’re looking for anyone who could use a plane for their business.”
He added that the pricing of the lease would depend on the type of airplane being used and the planned utilization for the hangar.
In addition to the hangar being open, airport officials are working on a couple of other projects as well.
They are currently in the process of clearing out trees on both ends of the runway because they were getting up into the approach, making it increasingly dangerous for airplanes to land.
“The tree line has grown up really close to the approach, and we’re getting those trees cut back,” Pendergrass said. “We want to get it to where all of that is manageable enough to where we can get a bush hog in there to maintain it.”
Once that project is done, they will be putting in a security fence around the airport.
“Sometimes when people put the airport into their GPS, it sends them back by the port, and people will drive their cars across the runway to get to us,” Pendergrass said. “Putting the fence up will prevent that.”
He added that a project down the road for the airport will be to pave and widen the taxiway leading to the runway.
Story and photo: http://www.demopolistimes.com
Southern Tank previously leased the hangar, but they no longer have an airplane, so the city of Demopolis terminated the lease, leaving the 60×80 hangar open.
“We were leasing it out to Southern Tank, and Boyd Duckett, who owned it, no longer lives here, and they don’t have a plane anymore,” said Jason Pendergrass, the director of the airport. “The city voted to terminate the lease and we’re looking to find someone to lease it again.”
Pendergrass said it was built to be a corporate hangar, and the market to find someone to lease it is a narrow one.
“It’s an asset for us to draw someone in who has a plane,” he said. “We’re looking for anyone who could use a plane for their business.”
He added that the pricing of the lease would depend on the type of airplane being used and the planned utilization for the hangar.
In addition to the hangar being open, airport officials are working on a couple of other projects as well.
They are currently in the process of clearing out trees on both ends of the runway because they were getting up into the approach, making it increasingly dangerous for airplanes to land.
“The tree line has grown up really close to the approach, and we’re getting those trees cut back,” Pendergrass said. “We want to get it to where all of that is manageable enough to where we can get a bush hog in there to maintain it.”
Once that project is done, they will be putting in a security fence around the airport.
“Sometimes when people put the airport into their GPS, it sends them back by the port, and people will drive their cars across the runway to get to us,” Pendergrass said. “Putting the fence up will prevent that.”
He added that a project down the road for the airport will be to pave and widen the taxiway leading to the runway.
Story and photo: http://www.demopolistimes.com
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
At Nordic Airports, Defying the Snow is Good Sport: In Nordic Countries, Skill at Keeping Airports Open Through Blizzards Is a Point of Pride
The Wall Street Journal
By Daniel Michaels
Updated Feb. 25, 2014 10:35 p.m. ET
Airports in much of the world get occasional snow, and North America has taken a beating this season. But in Nordic countries, where winter can last six months and airplane deicing starts in August, skill at operating through sleet, snow and frost is vital for business and is a point of pride.
Stockholm's Arlanda Airport sets a goal of never succumbing to winter. "That's also the sport of it," says Arlanda operations head Lena Rökaas.
Her team spends months conducting off-season drills. But when her squad's big day came in December, the Swedish manager worried she and her colleagues wouldn't be able to handle what was coming at them.
Undaunted, her crew headed out in tight formation as if "getting ready for battle," Ms. Rökaas says. They plowed relentlessly ahead and protected a perfect 50-year record: Arlanda stayed open despite getting socked by more than a foot of snow.
Swedish crews wax nostalgic about a 1968 blizzard when Arlanda was the only Western European airport operating and arriving planes parked on one of its two runways. "It's a lovely story," says Arlanda spokeswoman Susanne Rundström.
Nordics call it "snowhow," a mix of massive machines, finely honed plowing patterns and constant practice.
"We consider ourselves almost world champions," says Heini Noronen-Juhola, vice president for aviation and safety at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Helsinki has developed more than 20 clearing routines, each linked to specific weather conditions. Ms. Noronen-Juhola considers the playbook "our big secret."
As at other Nordic airports, Helsinki's 120 maintenance people spend summers choreographing equipment. They usually clean tarmacs with diagonal rows of vehicles, sometimes referred to as a conga line. Each machine shoves snow to the vehicle behind it and ultimately off the edge of the runway. Drivers follow their maneuvers precisely so air controllers, who also know the routines, can time arriving and departing flights down to the minute.
"It's like dancing," says Ms. Noronen-Juhola.
In winter, her crews work round-the-clock shifts, like firefighters, and hustle at the first sight of snow. Helsinki airport last closed in 2003, for 30 minutes, because of snow and air-traffic-control problems. Like other Nordic airports, it frequently cuts capacity and cancels some flights.
Another Nordic secret: pushing producers for absurdly powerful equipment. Oslo Airport runs two of the world's largest self-propelled snowblowers, built by Norwegian airport-equipment maker Øveraasen AS. Only two other of the TV2000 units operate at airports; they, too, are in Norway.
The 2,000-horsepower machines can shoot 10,000 tons of snow an hour more than 150 feet from the tarmac. "It's like throwing a car every second," says Henning Bråtebæk, operations director at Oslo Airport.
Helsinki Airport pushed Finnish snow specialist Vammas in the 1990s to develop some of the first machines able to plow, sweep and blow snow simultaneously. Several of these machines can clear a runway in about 10 minutes, a job that a generation ago took half an hour.
Back then, runway clearing required many different machines. Opening scenes of the 1970 disaster film "Airport" show assorted tractor-size vehicles tackling a blizzard, including some that spit fire to melt ice.
Today, all-in-one cleaners are about as long as a locomotive. Most have two mighty engines, one for motion and the other to sweep and blow. They can run for hours without stopping—and Nordics keep going.
"They don't go for breaks—there's big pride in that," says Ms. Rökaas in Stockholm of her drivers, who mainly use Swiss snow equipment from Aebi Schmidt Holding AG. "Someone goes out and gives them coffee."
The machines can run for so long that producers have to worry about drivers' comfort. Vammas boasts that its cabs are so cozy, with their heated seats, frost-resistant windows, stereo speakers and vibration-free suspension, that operators are comfortable in T-shirts.
Over the past decade, combination machines have caught on at airports across Canada and the U.S. After a crippling winter storm in 2011, frequently sweltering Dallas-Fort Worth Airport bought 10 Vammas machines for about $1 million each. Vammas was acquired by Fortbrand Services Inc. of Plainview, N.Y., in 2010. It manufactures Vammas machines in Finland and in the U.S.
"They look very cool," says airport spokesman David Magaña.
When snow was forecast in December, the airport prepared to unleash its yellow monsters. Unfortunately, what arrived was sleet that landed and froze, creating "a hockey rink from here to Tennessee," says Mr. Magaña. With snowplows offering little help against ice, nearly 90% of flights were canceled for a day.
Still, versatile Nordic machines have been so popular that other big vehicle makers have jumped in. American truck maker Oshkosh Corp , based in wintry Wisconsin, touts its new multifunction machine as "a rolling 81,000-pound Swiss Army Knife." Product manager Les Crook boasts that its joystick control, covered in buttons for each function, "is just like a Game Boy."
Not to be outdone, Øveraasen last year unveiled a new product line with the curvy lines of a sports car and cabs that rise like a cherry-picker to give drivers greater visibility. "The futuristic design is a real eye-catcher," says an Øveraasen brochure. Bård Eker, whose industrial-design firm Øveraasen hired for the new line, says his company refrained from making the look too futuristic for fear of scaring off customers.
While big equipment helps get the job done, veterans say quality snow time is critical. Oslo Airport, for example, gets hit on average 60 days each winter. "We get a lot of practice," says Mr. Bråtebæk.
But this year, as the U.S. has experienced a Nordic winter, Northern Europe has been unusually warm. That worries Ms. Rökaas in Stockholm. "The worst thing for these people is when there is no snow," she says of drivers, who she fears might get bored and quit.
As for the future, officials are counting on snow and dreaming up new ways to prepare.
"We would love to have a roof on the airport," says Ms. Noronen-Juhola in Helsinki. "It's a great idea."
Source: http://online.wsj.com
By Daniel Michaels
Updated Feb. 25, 2014 10:35 p.m. ET
Airports in much of the world get occasional snow, and North America has taken a beating this season. But in Nordic countries, where winter can last six months and airplane deicing starts in August, skill at operating through sleet, snow and frost is vital for business and is a point of pride.
Stockholm's Arlanda Airport sets a goal of never succumbing to winter. "That's also the sport of it," says Arlanda operations head Lena Rökaas.
Her team spends months conducting off-season drills. But when her squad's big day came in December, the Swedish manager worried she and her colleagues wouldn't be able to handle what was coming at them.
Undaunted, her crew headed out in tight formation as if "getting ready for battle," Ms. Rökaas says. They plowed relentlessly ahead and protected a perfect 50-year record: Arlanda stayed open despite getting socked by more than a foot of snow.
Swedish crews wax nostalgic about a 1968 blizzard when Arlanda was the only Western European airport operating and arriving planes parked on one of its two runways. "It's a lovely story," says Arlanda spokeswoman Susanne Rundström.
Nordics call it "snowhow," a mix of massive machines, finely honed plowing patterns and constant practice.
"We consider ourselves almost world champions," says Heini Noronen-Juhola, vice president for aviation and safety at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Helsinki has developed more than 20 clearing routines, each linked to specific weather conditions. Ms. Noronen-Juhola considers the playbook "our big secret."
As at other Nordic airports, Helsinki's 120 maintenance people spend summers choreographing equipment. They usually clean tarmacs with diagonal rows of vehicles, sometimes referred to as a conga line. Each machine shoves snow to the vehicle behind it and ultimately off the edge of the runway. Drivers follow their maneuvers precisely so air controllers, who also know the routines, can time arriving and departing flights down to the minute.
"It's like dancing," says Ms. Noronen-Juhola.
In winter, her crews work round-the-clock shifts, like firefighters, and hustle at the first sight of snow. Helsinki airport last closed in 2003, for 30 minutes, because of snow and air-traffic-control problems. Like other Nordic airports, it frequently cuts capacity and cancels some flights.
Another Nordic secret: pushing producers for absurdly powerful equipment. Oslo Airport runs two of the world's largest self-propelled snowblowers, built by Norwegian airport-equipment maker Øveraasen AS. Only two other of the TV2000 units operate at airports; they, too, are in Norway.
The 2,000-horsepower machines can shoot 10,000 tons of snow an hour more than 150 feet from the tarmac. "It's like throwing a car every second," says Henning Bråtebæk, operations director at Oslo Airport.
Helsinki Airport pushed Finnish snow specialist Vammas in the 1990s to develop some of the first machines able to plow, sweep and blow snow simultaneously. Several of these machines can clear a runway in about 10 minutes, a job that a generation ago took half an hour.
Back then, runway clearing required many different machines. Opening scenes of the 1970 disaster film "Airport" show assorted tractor-size vehicles tackling a blizzard, including some that spit fire to melt ice.
Today, all-in-one cleaners are about as long as a locomotive. Most have two mighty engines, one for motion and the other to sweep and blow. They can run for hours without stopping—and Nordics keep going.
"They don't go for breaks—there's big pride in that," says Ms. Rökaas in Stockholm of her drivers, who mainly use Swiss snow equipment from Aebi Schmidt Holding AG. "Someone goes out and gives them coffee."
The machines can run for so long that producers have to worry about drivers' comfort. Vammas boasts that its cabs are so cozy, with their heated seats, frost-resistant windows, stereo speakers and vibration-free suspension, that operators are comfortable in T-shirts.
Over the past decade, combination machines have caught on at airports across Canada and the U.S. After a crippling winter storm in 2011, frequently sweltering Dallas-Fort Worth Airport bought 10 Vammas machines for about $1 million each. Vammas was acquired by Fortbrand Services Inc. of Plainview, N.Y., in 2010. It manufactures Vammas machines in Finland and in the U.S.
"They look very cool," says airport spokesman David Magaña.
When snow was forecast in December, the airport prepared to unleash its yellow monsters. Unfortunately, what arrived was sleet that landed and froze, creating "a hockey rink from here to Tennessee," says Mr. Magaña. With snowplows offering little help against ice, nearly 90% of flights were canceled for a day.
Still, versatile Nordic machines have been so popular that other big vehicle makers have jumped in. American truck maker Oshkosh Corp , based in wintry Wisconsin, touts its new multifunction machine as "a rolling 81,000-pound Swiss Army Knife." Product manager Les Crook boasts that its joystick control, covered in buttons for each function, "is just like a Game Boy."
Not to be outdone, Øveraasen last year unveiled a new product line with the curvy lines of a sports car and cabs that rise like a cherry-picker to give drivers greater visibility. "The futuristic design is a real eye-catcher," says an Øveraasen brochure. Bård Eker, whose industrial-design firm Øveraasen hired for the new line, says his company refrained from making the look too futuristic for fear of scaring off customers.
While big equipment helps get the job done, veterans say quality snow time is critical. Oslo Airport, for example, gets hit on average 60 days each winter. "We get a lot of practice," says Mr. Bråtebæk.
But this year, as the U.S. has experienced a Nordic winter, Northern Europe has been unusually warm. That worries Ms. Rökaas in Stockholm. "The worst thing for these people is when there is no snow," she says of drivers, who she fears might get bored and quit.
As for the future, officials are counting on snow and dreaming up new ways to prepare.
"We would love to have a roof on the airport," says Ms. Noronen-Juhola in Helsinki. "It's a great idea."
Source: http://online.wsj.com
Sacramento International Airport (KSMF), California: Planes rerouted, roads closed during afternoon bomb scare in Yolo County
Sacramento International Airport rerouted planes to alternate runways and some rural Yolo County roads were closed as a precaution Tuesday afternoon after sheriff’s deputies discovered a possible explosive device in a pickup truck.
Deputies responded about 12:30 p.m. to a medical aid call in the area of County Road 124, north of County Road 126 in the rural unincorporated area of Yolo County, west of West Sacramento. West Sacramento fire crews found a man lying in the roadway. While they were trying to treat him, he became combative and they requested an emergency response from deputies, according to a Yolo County Sheriff’s Office news release.
A deputy arriving at the scene spotted a black pickup truck on County Road 124 with one end of an electrical cord sticking into the fuel tank and the other end leading into the bed of the truck.
After the firefighters and the deputy got the man calmed down, the deputy took a closer look at the truck and found that the wiring protruding from the fuel tank was connected to a homemade device in the bed of the truck. Believing it might be an explosive device, authorities set up a quarter-mile perimeter around the vehicle, and the Yolo County Bomb Squad was requested.
The man was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he continued to be uncooperative with investigators, sheriff’s officials said.
While waiting for the bomb squad, investigators made contact with a woman who said she had been with the man a short time before the medical aid call. She told investigators that the man had been acting strangely for the past three days, and for some reason on Tuesday he became incoherent and enraged while the two were in the truck on County Road 124.
The woman said the man began shooting a handgun into and out of the vehicle. He also reportedly made statements about explosives.
The woman said she went to Old River Road, where she got a ride to her home in West Sacramento.
As a precaution, authorities advised the Sacramento International Airport control tower of the situation and airport officials chose to reroute flights to another runway. Deputies also checked area residences, looking for anyone who witnessed the shooting incident or was hurt by the gunfire. No injuries were reported.
About 3 p.m., the bomb squad determined that the device in the pickup was not an explosive. Roadways were reopened to traffic and the airport resumed normal operations.
Sheriff’s officials said they are continuing to investigate the incident.
Source: http://www.sacbee.com
Deputies responded about 12:30 p.m. to a medical aid call in the area of County Road 124, north of County Road 126 in the rural unincorporated area of Yolo County, west of West Sacramento. West Sacramento fire crews found a man lying in the roadway. While they were trying to treat him, he became combative and they requested an emergency response from deputies, according to a Yolo County Sheriff’s Office news release.
A deputy arriving at the scene spotted a black pickup truck on County Road 124 with one end of an electrical cord sticking into the fuel tank and the other end leading into the bed of the truck.
After the firefighters and the deputy got the man calmed down, the deputy took a closer look at the truck and found that the wiring protruding from the fuel tank was connected to a homemade device in the bed of the truck. Believing it might be an explosive device, authorities set up a quarter-mile perimeter around the vehicle, and the Yolo County Bomb Squad was requested.
The man was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he continued to be uncooperative with investigators, sheriff’s officials said.
While waiting for the bomb squad, investigators made contact with a woman who said she had been with the man a short time before the medical aid call. She told investigators that the man had been acting strangely for the past three days, and for some reason on Tuesday he became incoherent and enraged while the two were in the truck on County Road 124.
The woman said the man began shooting a handgun into and out of the vehicle. He also reportedly made statements about explosives.
The woman said she went to Old River Road, where she got a ride to her home in West Sacramento.
As a precaution, authorities advised the Sacramento International Airport control tower of the situation and airport officials chose to reroute flights to another runway. Deputies also checked area residences, looking for anyone who witnessed the shooting incident or was hurt by the gunfire. No injuries were reported.
About 3 p.m., the bomb squad determined that the device in the pickup was not an explosive. Roadways were reopened to traffic and the airport resumed normal operations.
Sheriff’s officials said they are continuing to investigate the incident.
Source: http://www.sacbee.com
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