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