HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.07-13-2017.AIRPORT BOARD AII.NUTES
July 13, 1017
Sandr's Place ReNtaurant
Special Afecling
Members Present: Justin Albright, .Teff Brune, Robert Cork, Ryan Dewrock, Paul Mingus
Others Present Bruce Loy, Airport Manager: Katrina Amos, Deputy Airport Manager;
Derrick Inv in, Flight Line Supervisor: Molly Hood, Deputy City Manager;
John Mehner. President and CLO of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce:
Dan Walt CFO of Cape Air: Andrew Bonney, VP of Operations for Cape
Air: Matt Reinhardt. Regional Director for Cape Air
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting:
the meeting was called to order at 5:07pm. Minutes were not available to approve li*onr the
previous meeting.
It. Appearances:
A. Cape Air Airlines—The Board welcomed Mr. Wolf and his Cape Air staff back to
the Cape Girardeau area. Mr. Wolf introduced his staff in attendance. I be stated he
would not give the standard presentation since it was presented at the meeting in
December 2016. Mr. Wulfasked to speak on some of the issues that were presented
at the previous meeting and how Cape An has dealt with them since. fie reported
that since Cape Air enacted the tiered pricing structure into their system, their FAS
revenue has increased by 4%. Cape Girardeau ridership has increased 12%, with a
33% increase in advanced bookings.
Since the last meeting, Mr. Wolf stated Cape An has been focused on "operational
excellence". They now have daily meetings to look at prior day operations. lie noted
that must if the cancellation issues were clue to crew shortages. To mitigate crew
issues, Cape Air reduced capacity by 30-35% in other markets. As a result of this
move. there have been significant improvements in the last six (b) months.
Mr. Wolf noted that their current LAS proposal otters the same service Cape
Girardeau currently receives. lie stated that while Cape Air understood the Board's
desire to change hub destinations, he could not come up with a thoughtful, cost
effective opportunity. Less l}equency would disrupt connectivity. Mr. Wolf stated
his goal is to make the St. Louis airport better in terms of better connection options.
Mr. Wol falso slated that Cape An is still pursuing an interline agreement with
Southwest and believes an experiment in St. Louis would be ideal for this.
With the new proposal, there would be a Captain and First Officer on each flight.
Andrew Bonney reported Cape Air is working to enhance the flight schedule. It was
acknowledged that Cape Girardeau's schedule was affected due to the pilot shortage.
'There was a brief overview of the new aircraft Cape Air will integrate into their lied
in the next 2-3 years. Mr. Wolf informed the Board of a study Cape Air conducted
comparing multi -engine to single-engine aircraft. From that data, it was determined
there is a 494 unacceptable risk when flying single-engine aircraft. Mr. Wolf noted
the pilot requirements fm' a multi -engine aircraft arc higher. Mr. Albright acquiesced
to the findings and stated the Board is in agreement that a multi -engine is more
reliable than a single-engine Mr. Albright slated the Board's main objective is to
have an enhanced schedule, more enplanements, and more destination options. Mr.
Dewrock asked Mr. Wolf how long it would lake to reach those goals with Cape Air.
Mr. Wolf replied realistically it would take ten (10) years to reach those goals. Mr.
Bonney stated that as a member of the small community air service working group,
they have been tasked with trying to make EAS better for small communities.
Mr. Albright asked why Cape Air decided against proposing other options. Mr. Wolf
concluded that Cape Air has a niche that they understand and are able to do well.
they were not comfortable moving away from that niche. Discussion continued on
the topic.
Adjournment:
There being no other business, Mr. Welker moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Dewrock
seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 632pm.
Minutes prepared by
Katrina Amus
Deputy Airport Manager