03/09/2017

Meeting Minutes for:
Public Relations Committee
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Thursday, March 09, 2017 at 02:03 PM

    Call to Order:
    The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Public Relations Committee of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:03 PM on March 9, 2017 in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was Russell Jones, Chairman.

    YCAA PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:
    Russell Jones, Chairman
    Ronald Rice, Member and YCAA President
    Eric Saltzer, Member and YCAA Director (exited the meeting at 3:25PM)
    Ken Scott, Member and ASN Volunteer

    YCAA PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WERE:
    Randall Nelson, Member and YCAA Director
    Ed Whitehead, Member and YCAA Director

    ALSO PRESENT WERE:
    Gladys Wiggins, Airport Director
    Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer
    Gen Grosse, Property/Community Relations

    REGULAR AGENDA
    1) Discussion and Possible recommendation regarding recruitment of air service, the retention of the existing airline and flight scheduling.

    The recently prepared true market study was provided to the Committee for review. A review of the most important aspects of this study ensued. Members of the Committee were also provided load factor information from our existing air carrier, American Airlines which demonstrated how moving the schedule of existing flights has an immediate and direct impact on load factors. Ms. Wiggins described how the airlines work to achieve load factors of 85% or greater, which were achieved in the majority of flights in early 2017 after the flight schedule was adjusted.

    Ms. Wiggins briefed on the air service development conference she attended that on March 8th, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She described the conference as successful, having been able to meet directly with network planners representing five different air carriers, one of which representing Allegiant, for the first time. Ms. Wiggins gave a presentation describing the issues addressed in each meeting.

    Since one air carrier recommended that the YCAA apply for another Small Community Air Service Development Grant (SCASD) the committee discussed elements of that application including financial incentives that could be provided by the Authority and how the incentives could be supplemented by community organizations.

    A discussion ensued related to the cost of using our airport rather than driving to Phoenix or San Diego. The Committee had several recommendations of ways to make using our airport more attractive, including the concept of a frequent user lounge, parking incentives and working with the Chamber of Commerce on a Buy Yuma/Fly Yuma type campaign.

    2) Discussion and Possible recommendation regarding customer experience and satisfaction of services used at the Airport.

    Ms. Wiggins described how the Authority receives and processes customer complaints and comments. This system, which is implemented through our website, allows complaints and or comments to be documented, addressed and followed up on with the customer, if desired. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the system and its abilities.

    One such area in which the Authority has received recent comments/suggestions was related to the processing of customers as they leave the passenger terminal parking lot and pay the required fee. Ms Wiggins described how our current agreement with Republic Parking was due to expire at the end of January 2018 and requested direction from a public relations standpoint on the options available moving forward. The overall approach to passenger parking will involve three basic options moving forward, which include:

    1. Remove the concept of paid parking all together. Open the lot to the flying public without cost.
    2. Continue with the model of engaging an outside third party to collect parking fees through an concession agreement.
    3. Continue with the collection of parking fees through an automated system owned and operated by the YCAA.

    The committee discussed the options available from a public relations standpoint and rejected unanimously the removal of the paid parking model. The committee favored the concept of moving towards an automated process of collecting fees managed by the Authority. This method was preferred for a number of reasons including the opportunity to keep more of the revenues earned and the ability to integrate marketing incentives, through parking fee reductions/elimination to frequent flyers to help increase enplanements. The committee discussed options available through digital based systems and directed staff to investigate this option further.

    3) Discussion and Possible recommendation regarding transient military tenants use of the airfield during towered and non-towered hours.

    The airport has experienced some service interruptions due to the policies and permissions required of transient military units both foreign and domestic when using our side of the airfield.

    Ms. Wiggins explained the misunderstanding between MCAS Yuma, the YCAA and service providers regarding military operator’s ability to use the airfield during non-towered hours.

    Per the regulations and orders, no military can operate (fly in or fly out) on the airfield without a Request for a Waiver to Operate During Closed Field Hours conditions as well as have an approved Prior Permission Required (PPR) by the MCAS Yuma.
    Provided was a response from one of tenants as they requested the Waiver to Operate:

    The Committee discussed the challenges presented as it limits the fuels sales, the ability for tenants to operate (if military) and the essential services MCAS Yuma provides which offset the significant cost of operating expenses.

    ADJOURNMENT
    There being no further business before the Board the meeting adjourned at 3:36 PM



    // Approved //
    Russ Jones
    Public Relations Committee Chairman


    Other Board Minutes

    Group IconTue Apr 9, 2024 -- April Board
    Group IconTue Mar 12, 2024 -- March Board
    Group IconTue Feb 13, 2024 -- February Board
    Person IconThu Feb 8, 2024 -- Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
    Group IconTue Jan 9, 2024 -- January Board
    Group IconTue Jan 9, 2024 -- Annual Board Meeting 2024
    Group IconTue Dec 12, 2023 -- December Board
    Group IconTue Nov 14, 2023 -- November Board
    Person IconMon Oct 30, 2023 -- Strategic Planning Committee
    Person IconTue Oct 24, 2023 -- Executive Committee
    Group IconTue Oct 10, 2023 -- October Board
    Person IconMon Sep 18, 2023 -- Elections and Personnel Committee
    Group IconTue Sep 12, 2023 -- September Board
    Group IconMon Aug 28, 2023 -- Special Board
    Person IconThu Aug 17, 2023 -- Finance Committee
    Group IconTue Aug 8, 2023 -- August Board
    Person IconTue Aug 1, 2023 -- Elections and Personnel Committee
    Group IconTue Jun 13, 2023 -- June Board
    Person IconWed Jun 7, 2023 -- Strategic Planning Committee
    Group IconTue May 9, 2023 -- May Board
    Person IconFri May 5, 2023 -- Finance Committee
    Group IconTue Apr 11, 2023 -- April Board
    Person IconWed Apr 5, 2023 -- Strategic Planning Committee
    Group IconTue Mar 14, 2023 -- March Board
    Group IconTue Feb 14, 2023 -- February Board
    Person IconWed Feb 8, 2023 -- Finance Committee
    Person IconFri Jan 27, 2023 -- Finance Committee
    Person IconThu Jan 19, 2023 -- Strategic Planning Committee
    Group IconTue Jan 10, 2023 -- January Board
    Group IconTue Jan 10, 2023 -- Annual Board Meeting 2023