HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.11-09-1993AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
Tuesday, November 9, 1993, 5.30 PM
Joint Airport Board/City Council Meeting
"The Runway Restaurant & Lounge" meeting room
AIRPORT BOARD MEMBERS:
Those Present
Bill Walker, Chairman
Allan Maki
Steve Nesler
Dan Overbey
Steve Robertson
J. Fred Waltz
Mike Wandrick
Not Present
All members were present
STAFF:
Those Present
J. Ronald Fischer
Doug Leslie
Randy Holdman
Sandy Bloom
Guests
Mayor Francis E. Rhodes
Cape Girardeau City Councilpersons:
Melvin Gateley
Melvin Kasten
David Limbaugh
Doug Richards
Albert Spradling III
Mary Wulfers
Warren Wells, City Attorney
Gayle Conrad, Deputy City Clerk
Sam Blackwell, SE Missourian
Harold Bollinger, KFVS-12
Chairman Walker called the Airport Board to order at 5:38 PM. Nesler made a
motion to approve October minutes as mailed. Wandrick seconded and the motion
carried.
Airport Manager Randy Holdman began his presentation concerning the status of
where the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport is today, where concerned parties want it
to be and possible ways to achieve that goal. He also explained the fire protection
water system will be on-line in the spring of 1994 and the total cost of the apron
reconstruction/expansion, recabling, lighted windcones and updating the Airport Layout
Plan will be $3.4 million; however, the cost to the City is only $168,000.
Holdman visited 20 travel agencies within an 80 -mile radius. He asked for their
most frequent booked destinations within the past 12 months and the number of
people going to those destinations. Chicago was the most -travelled site with
approximately 600 trips per month; the other destinations, in order, were Orlando; Los
Angeles; Las Vegas; Dallas; Washington, DC; Phoenix; New York; Miami, Detroit and
San Francisco (tied); Houston; Boston; New Orleans and Atlanta.
When the agents were asked "How can the current service be improved?" all 20
responded with "An early afternoon departure on Sunday." This was taken to TWE
and beginning 1/1/94 that will become a reality. Also starting 1/1/94 is a 5:20 PM
weekday departure from Cape Girardeau as opposed to a 6:30 departure time. Three
of the 20 agencies surveyed cited this as necessary. Other needs stated were: an
early afternoon departure on Saturday as well as weekdays, low fares/corporate
stand-by fares and reliable service/follow-up.
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When asked what cities they would like to see serviced in the future, all 20
agencies once again replied "Chicago". The other most -named destinations were
Nashville, Memphis, Jefferson City/Columbia and Houston/Dallas.
Holdman explained graphs showing boardings since 1991; each time there was a
significant increase was when the airport had been advertised (i.e, the summer
promotion and the Grand Opening). He informed those present TWE is currently
offering a promotion hoping to entire people to fly from Cape. From November 21,
1993 to January 2, 1994 each time a person departs from Cape on TWE they will be
eligible to enter a drawing for two free round-trip tickets anywhere TWA flies
domestically, including Hawaii. If this promotion is a success TWAfTWE are
tentatively planning to offer two international tickets sometime in 1994. Airport Staff is
working on a newsletter which will be sent to area travel agencies on a monthly basis;
the first issue should be sent out the week of 11/15/93. A marketing analysis is also
being compiled by Airport Staff.
Holdman explained why a marketing plan is needed for Cape Girardeau Municipal
Airport. We cannot be totally dependent on Essential Air Service in the future due to
possible Congressional budget cuts.
In miscellaneous matters, Holdman suggested exploring the idea of adopting
minimum operating standards for business and commercial services located at the
airport. He has received a sample plan from another airport that could be used as a
gauge, adjusted to fit accordingly.
Momentum has begun in promoting commercial aviation boarding increases; this
should continue to be pursued. Maki asked what it would take to keep the momentum
going, and is there a priority? Holdman replied ideally it would take six solid months
of smart advertising with an adequate budget, and everyone needs to be targeted -
travel agents, general public, etc. As far as encouraging general aviation business,
hangars for corporate planes are desperately needed. There is currently no room for
more aircraft, and companies will not consider Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport until
they can be accommodated.
Mayor Rhodes complimented Holdman on his business approach and his foresight
for business. He told Holdman he is doing a good job and to keep up the good work.
The Mayor asked about air freight; Holdman replied there is growth potential in that
area.
Waltz asked how the riverboat traffic will effect the airport. The answer was
"favorably". Bay of St. Louts, Mississippi is handling 150,000 passengers a year.
Under normal circumstances it would take three years to get three airlines operating
profitably; with the riverboat that time could be cut in half. TWE currently staffs
"Casino Air"; there's a possibility of tour packages connecting Nashville to Branson,
with a stop in Cape Girardeau for the riverboat.
Walker made a short presentation on boardings at the airport. in 1988 he did a
forecast which showed we would be under 500 boardings a month in 1993, which we
are. The current forecast shows a positive future in total boardings, not just TWE.
Since the new terminal opened in June there has been a tiny increase; he believes the
airport has begun its tum of the corner thanks to the efforts of the City Council, staff,
actions that have been taken since 1988 and now the new Airport Manager.
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With the Airport Board's presentation finished, Mayor Rhodes called the City
Council to order at 6:35 PM.
All business completed, Nesler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Wandrick
seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra L. Bloom
Airport Secretary
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