Bloc, NDP Open to Changes on
Airport Rent
|
In
response to election questionnaires presented to the
major political parties, both the Bloc Québécois and the
New
Democratic Party committed to look at
changes to the matter of airport
rent.
The questionnaire, distributed to the Bloc
Québécois, Conservative Party, Green Party, Liberal
Party and New Democratic Party immediately following the
election call, polls the parties for their positions on
a wide variety of issues important to airports.
The other parties have not yet responded to the
questionnaire request, but any additional responses
received will be posted on the CAC Web site's Elections 2008
page.
Supporting the reduction of airport
rent, conclusion of an Open Skies agreement with the
European Union and airport participation at future
international air talks: These are among the
policy commitments made by the Bloc Québécois in
response to the CAC's federal election
questionnaire.
The NDP, meanwhile, said that
"greater fairness" is needed in the rent matter and that
it would work with Parliament towards "more equitable'
arrangements for leases and "better conditions under
which airports operate."
The NDP also said that
it would review the status of Canada-European Union air
talks before proceeding and does not have plans to
negotiate increased liberalization of air service
agreements.
The full responses to the
questionnaires are available on the CAC Web site's Elections 2008
page.
Questions regarding aviation structural
costs also were included in a questionnaire that the
Tourism Industry Association of Canada produced. No
party committed to reducing airport rent further in
their responses. Click here
to see party responses to that
questionnaire.
Note: The CAC does not endorse
any particular party. The questionnaire is
designed to gather information about each of the party's
positions for the benefit of members and others
interested in issues of importance to Canada's
airports.
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Cargo Canada Front and Center at
World Freight Forwarding Conference
|
The 15 Canadian cargo airports participating in
the Cargo Canada marketing program recently were on show
at the FIATA freight forwarding conference in Vancouver
with a joint presence and reception sponsorship with the
federal government's Asia-Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative.In
coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, which is charged with promoting the
Gateway initiative among overseas audiences, Cargo
Canada sponsored a wine and cheese reception in the
exhibit hall. It was well attended by delegates
among the 600 attending from all over the world.
Cargo Canada also held a draw for a seaplane tour of
Vancouver for three that was promoted through inserts to
the delegates bags and a newspaper wrap of the Globe and Mail
delivered to guests of the three main conference
hotels.  Cargo
Canada is an information campaign from 15 cargo
airports of the Canadian Airports Council. Cargo
Canada's mandate is to increase awareness of Canada as a
fast, reliable and cost-effective conduit for air cargo
between North America and the rest of the
world. Cargo Canada and the Asia-Pacific Gateway
initiative also will be on display in November in Kuala
Lumpur at TIACA's Air
Cargo
Forum. |
CAC, Canadian Airports on Focus in
August Airport Business
|
 Airports Business
magazine in August published its Canadian
issue, featuring Vancouver Airport Authority President
and CEO (and CAC board member) Larry Berg on the
cover. In addition to an article on the
passenger experience at YVR and airport rent, the
magazine featured an in-depth interview
with CAC President and CEO Jim Facette on airport
competitiveness in Canada.
Other Airports in the
News
|
International Traffic Up in August,
Down in Asia-Pacific
|
With the exception of the Asia
Pacific region (-6.2%), international traffic worldwide
grew in August, according to monthly international
traffic figures from Airports Council
International.
Impaired by the sharp decline in
Asia-Pacific, global international traffic grew by
+0.6%. China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea were the
countries suffering the most significant declines in
Asia-Pacific while Europe (+1%) and North America (+2%)
grew moderately. Africa (+9%), Latin America-Caribbean
(+9%) and the Middle East (+8%) managed solid
growth benefiting from the holiday
season.
International traffic growth slowed
markedly in the Middle East (+8.3%) where the dominant
international airport Dubai only saw an increase of 2.8%
in August while Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Sharjah and Beirut
continued to perform two digit growth
figures.
Domestic traffic with the
exception of Latin America-Caribbean (+4%) fell
considerably across the world leading to a decrease of
total domestic traffic of minus 4%. India was affected
hardest with Delhi down 16% and Mumbai down 18%. German,
U.K. and Spanish airports suffered the greatest domestic
reductions in Europe while North America declined by 5%
(primarily due to declines in the U.S. -- Canadian
traffic figures for August are not yet
available).
While total passenger numbers
were down 2% in August year-on-year, over the
2008 eight months period, international
traffic was still growing by 4.2% and domestic
passengers were unchanged. Total passenger numbers have
grown by 1.7% over the eight months
period.
Domestic freight continued its
decline in August (-19%) mainly driven by North America
(-27%) and Africa (-28%). International freight shrunk
by 2.6% lead by North America (-8%) and Asia Pacific
(-4.3%). Overall freight was down 8% in August, while
over the eight months period total freight defended a 1%
increase.
|
|
Please note that the next
November-December edition of The Airport Voice will be
the final one for the year and will be published Nov.
29, instead of on the 15th. |
|
CANADIAN
NEWS
Halifax Signs Agreement for Multi-Tenant
Cargo Facility
|
Halifax International Airport
Authority (HIAA) has signed a lease agreement with
Gateway Facilities Inc. to have that company build and
manage an approximately 40,000 square foot multi-tenant
cargo facility at Halifax Stanfield International
Airport (HSIA).
The $12 million joint project
will see HIAA develop the site in the airport's airside
subdivision, bringing it up to grade and building an
aircraft apron area.
"This is a major milestone
for the airport authority and our community," says Tom
Ruth, HIAA president & CEO. "As the hub and gateway
of Atlantic Canada and the closest North American
continental link to Europe, this facility opens the door
for tremendous economic growth for the region's air
cargo industry, as well as other aviation businesses
like the one we're seeing today."
"Gateway
Facilities Inc. looks forward to making a modern cargo
facility a reality at Halifax Stanfield International
Airport," says Doug McRae, an investor in Gateway
Facilities Inc. "The new facility will better position
cargo stakeholders to attract domestic and foreign cargo
operators to our community and will allow stakeholders
to confidently pursue new import and export business
which require temperature management."
Recently,
Transport Canada granted HSIA approval to participate in
the international air cargo transshipment program. The
program allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for
shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be
flown from the United States into Halifax, stored
temporarily, and then flown to a European destination.
Similarly, international air cargo could also arrive
from overseas and then be shipped by rail or road from
Halifax to the United States, allowing the airport to
take full advantage of NAFTA
opportunities.
"Approval to participate in this
transshipment program is certainly welcome, and combined
with our new cargo facility, will enable us to produce
significant economic benefit," says Jerry Staples, HIAA
vice president, marketing & business development.
"We estimate that each additional wide body cargo flight
per week will generate nearly $100,000 per year for HIAA
and, as we grow, has the potential to create dozens of
direct and indirect jobs and millions in additional
revenue for the region."
|
Prince George Runway
Opens
|
Prince George Airport recently
announced that its extended third runway is now
open. As the lights were turned on and the final
pieces of equipment rolled off runway 15 / 33, one part
of the Prince George Airport Authority's vision and
dream was realized.
"There is still work to
be completed" commented Airport General Manager Stieg
Hoeg, "but what we have today is the beginning of
something big".
These comments shortly after the
month long runway closure for the final stages of the
4,000 ft runway extension project ended were followed by
expressions of thanks to the crews that worked
tirelessly on ensuring that this massive project was
completed by this date and to the airport authority's
funding partners - Government of British Columbia and
Government of Canada.
The project involved
extending the current runway by 4048 ft to 11,450 ft
(3490 m) and supporting infrastructure including
centerline lighting, dual Instrument Landing System and
fueling/deicing infrastructure for up to two wide body
aircraft initially. The latter is expected to be
complete in spring 2009 and was hampered by
environmental issues of the amphibious kind.
Mr.
Hoeg explained "We halted construction to ensure the
safe removal of the western spade footed
toad. A species "at risk," the toads had to
be moved from the north end of the runway and were
relocated to a creek at the far south end of the airport
property."
Mr. Hoeg says the airport, located in
northern British Columbia along the great circle route,
is strategically situated to act as a weather, safety or
fueling alternative for those carriers using traditional
trans-Pacific airports.
"With our
competitive cost structure and no operational
restrictions or congestion - Prince George Airport - YXS
is poised for entrance into the trans-Pacific tech stop
market" Mr. Hoeg explained "This winter (December
08) airlines will have another choice for
fueling."
Final electrical work including
the centerline lighting will be completed during the
month of October. Construction also will begin
next spring on the first phase of a 3,000 acre logistics
park adjacent to the
airport. | |
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
Airports Urge Further Progress in
Aviation Liberalization and Security
Compatibility
|
During a Sept. 20 joint board of directors meeting
of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA)
and ACI-Europe, U.S., Canadian and European airport
executives called for negotiators in U.S.- European
Union (EU) and Canadian-EU aviation talks to move
forward on full liberalized transatlantic regime,
including relaxing remaining restrictions on airline
ownership and control.
"Air service is a critical
link in the international trade and tourism value
chain. Canada needs a comprehensive Open Skies
agreement with the EU. The significance is
highlighted by the fact that our respective leaders will
discuss liberalizing trade next month in Quebec City,"
said Barry Rempel, Chair of the Canadian Airports
Council and President and CEO, Winnipeg Airports
Authority.
Additional flexibility would
provide greater opportunities for airlines in the U.S.,
Canada and Europe to obtain access to capital to the
ultimate benefit of consumers. This is
particularly important because of the difficult economic
environment in which the air transportation sector is
operating.
"We were very encouraged by the
success of the first round of negotiations, which
created new economic opportunities for both sides.
We look forward to continued progress on reducing
barriers which will facilitate trade and travel," said
Randall H. Walker, Director of Aviation, Clark County
Department of Aviation, McCarran International
Airport and Chair, ACI-NA.
"Phase two"
US-EU negotiations will take place on September 24-25 in
Washington, D.C.; a third round of Canada-EU
negotiations was just completed.
Canadian
and European airports also urged regulators to work
towards mutual recognition in aviation security
screening, equipment and procedures. This is critical to
develop procedures to resolve limitations on the
transport of duty-free, liquids, aerosols and gels.
|
| New York Slot Auctions to Continue
|
Despite significant opposition,
the U.S. government has decided to proceed with slot
auctions at New York City-area airports as an attempt to
address congestion.
The CAC joins Airports
Council International-North America, the Air Transport
Association and the International Air Transport
Association in opposition to the plan.
The CAC in
particular contends that the plan would
disproportionately impact access to New York from major
Canadian economic centers since most Canadian flights
into the market are operated by the regional jets that
the slot auction plan targets.
The U.S.
Government Accountability Organization (GAO) recently
weighed in on the proposed auctioning of slots at Newark
Liberty International Airport -- Saying the Federal
Aviation Administration does not have the authority to
do so.
GAO General Counsel opinion also concluded
that FAA similarly lacks authority to retain and use
auction proceeds as proposed in the pending rulemaking
proposals for La Guardia Airport and for John F. Kennedy
International Airport.
|
Canada's
Airports:
Working Together, Moving
Forward
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is
the voice for Canada's airports. Formed in 1991, as the
devolution of airports to local control was beginning,
the CAC has established itself as the reliable and
credible federal representative for airports on a wide
range of significant issues and concerns.
Canada's airports are engines for economic
development in the communities they serve and one of
their most important elements of local infrastructure:
Our communities' vital links to intra-provincial,
national and international trade and commerce. Our 48
members represent 180 Canadian airports, including all
of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most
passenger service airports in every province and
territory.
Together, CAC members handle
virtually all of the nation's air cargo and
international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic
passenger traffic. The economic impact of CAC member
airports is staggering. They create well in excess of
$45 billion in economic activity in the communities they
serve. And more than 200,000 jobs are directly
associated with CAC member airports, generating a
payroll of more than $8 billion annually.
| | |
| Upcoming Events |
Oct. 20-22,
2008
ACI-NA
Public Safety and Security Conference in
Arlington, Va.
Oct. 30-31, 2008
CAC Board Meeting in Québec
City
Nov. 2-5, 2008
IAAE Operations and Facility
Managers Conference in Winnipeg
Nov. 4-6, 2008
Cargo Canada at the Air
Cargo Forum in Kuala Lumpur
Nov. 10-13, 2008
ACI-NA
Airport Concessions Conference in
Toronto
Nov. 19-20, 2008
CAC Security Committee
Meeting in Saskatoon
Nov. 27-28, 2008
Communications Group
Meeting in
St. John's
April 2-3, 2009
HR Committee Meeting in
Victoria
April 28-3, 2009
Airports Canada Conference and
Exhibition in Ottawa-Gatineau
May 31-June 3, 2009
ACI-NA
Marketing Communications Conference and
Jumpstart in Montréal
Oct. 11-14, 2009
ACI-NA
Annual Conference in Austin
CAC
board and committee meetings are open to all
members
| |
Tourism
Snapshot from the Canadian Tourism Commission
Short-Term
Market Outlook from the Canadian Tourism
Commission
|
| Quick Links |
|
Industry
Partners ACI-NA
ATAC
| | |
