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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Airport Board - 04/16/2002 Airport Board/Council Joint Meeting City Hall Basement Training Room 1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi, Texas April 16, 2002, 12:00 P.M. AGENDA 1. Opening Comments - Dave Hamrick, Director of Aviation 2. Board and Council discussion on air service issues - Chair Jerry Kane a. Airport Board Talking Points 3. Airport Quarterly Update and Airport Construction Projects—Dave Hamrick,Director of Aviation Airport Board Talking Points for April 16 Meeting with City Council Introduction 1. Compliments to the Council. Demonstrated that air service is a priority by having this conversation and through all they have done to show their support for the airport in the past few years. 2. Many things to be proud of, including • Construction and near completion of new airport terminal • Additional improvements to the airport (new control tower, etc.) • Thoughtful approach to the possibility of international service in design of new terminal facilities • imminence of full jet service to Corpus Christi coinciding with opening of new terminal Cha e�gg- 1. While we have much to be proud of, we also continue to face challenges that must be addressed—and addressed aggressively—if we are to maintain the positive momentum we've seen, particularly in this post-September 11 environment 2. Fares, frequency of flights, passenger load factors and leakage to other cities such as San Antonio, and variety in destinations continue to be challenges 3. These challenges are interrelated, creating a "chicken and egg" scenario. What comes first? Lowering fares to attract passengers and mitigate leakage...or attracting more passengers to airlines will lower fares? Solutions 1. We believe that a strategic, aggressive approach is required. 2. Adequate air service is more than a convenience. It's a quality of life issue. It's an economic issue. We must demonstrate this to all our citizens, as well as the airlines who serve our community. 3. Several entities (various Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Port of Corpus Christi) must work in partnership to achieve our goals for quality air service for Corpus Christi and the region. 4. Suggested strategic approach: Public awareness campaign. Build public awareness of importance of local air service, and encourage short-term sacrifices to ensure long-term service and lower fares. ➢ This is similar to the water issue locally. We paid a premium in the short- term to ensure long-term supplies. We must be willing to pay a bit more for flights that originate locally to build passenger loads and demonstrate demand for local air service to our carriers. ➢ Public awareness campaign, including print and broadcast advertising, should emphasize How every ticket you buy for locally-originating flights helps your community, and how air service on the whole benefits the community." ➢ Goal is to not only increase local passenger loads, but to build sentiment that it is "Anti-Corpus Christi" to fly out of other cities. Next 9-12 months are critical. We must time the public awareness campaign to coincide with new terminal opening. "Help Desk." D Concurrent to the public awareness campaign, local entities should partner to provide web-based assistance to the local traveler to find the lowest fares on flights that originate locally. ➢ No incentive for travel agents to book local flights. Something must be done to help create that incentive. Work to increase competition. ➢ We've seen positive effect of increased competition in service to DFW. We must continue to build on that. • Securing assurance that airlines will provide the planes once we demonstrate we have the flyers. ➢ Continued direct meetings with airlines will be essential. ➢ Must avoid having too many overbooked flights with disgruntled passengers if we are successful at increasing passenger loads. Supply of flights must meet passenger demand. • Increase marketing to potential inbound travelers. D Not enough to increase awareness for our citizens. We must aggressively market Corpus Christi as a destination. ➢ Focus on "gray states". Build on recognition of Corpus Christi as a center for medical services, especially for international travelers. ➢ Provide incentives and "medical compassion fares" or subsidies to increase inbound international travelers who come to Corpus Christi for medical services. Conclusion 1. We have some successes to feel positive about. 2. We have continuing challenges, but we can overcome them if"the players" work together strategically. Questions d Answers