Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8573 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8573 ,ire,,, February 24, 2004 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council � Page 1 of 2 r�pa SUBJECT: Air Carrier Service at Meacham International Airport Background: Meacham International Airport has experienced commercial air service on numerous occasions since 1968. A chronological list of service providers and their tenure is as follows: ➢ Air Texas: 1968— 1970 (2 years) ➢ Tejas Airlines: 1979— 1979 (no record of number of operational months) ➢ Metroplex Airlines: 1979— 1980 (no record of number of operational months) ➢ LoneStar Airlines: 1980— 1981 (no record of number of operational months) ➢ Fort Worth Airlines: 1984— 1985 (operational for 10 months) ➢ Exec Express Airlines: 1987— 1988 (operational for 5 months) ➢ Mesa Airlines: 1997— 1998 (operational for 7 months) All attempts to provide air carrier service have lasted for 2 years or less as is indicated by the available dates listed above. The most recent air carrier to attempt the service was Mesa Airlines whose service proved to be successful during the 7 months they operated at the airport. Mesa also invested approximately 1.5 million dollars in infrastructure �Ouop g rades to the terminal building in an effort to enhance their service. According to the findings in the Air Service Study nducted by GRA, Inc. there were several factors that contributed to Mesa's failure. In particular: ➢ No connectivity with a major carrier ➢ Frequency of service not competitive with Southwest at Love ➢ No market presence/lack of identity in the metroplex ➢ Unreliable scheduling ➢ Loss of the feed agreement with United Airlines out of Denver caused them to divest the Meacham initiative and pull back available resources. Discussion: Staff requested that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) include an Air Service Study in the Meacham International Airport Master Plan Project to help determine the potential market for air carrier service. GRA was retained by DMJM Aviation to complete the study. GRA evaluated the catchment area, potential route structures and identified potential incentives that may be necessary to attract service to Meacham. They also indicated that based on the state of the economy and current condition of the airline industry that it would be difficult to attract new service at the time the study was completed. Their recommendation was to wait a year and reevaluate the industry. On June 19, 2003 Staff met with representatives from Spirit Airlines who operate a Maintenance Base at Meacham International Airport to discuss potential service. Mr. Jacob Schorr, CEO Spirit Airlines informed staff that any effort by Spirit to establish passenger service at Meacham was at least three years out. Spirit representatives expressed interest in establishing future long-range service from Meacham to Nevada or California at that time, if demand warranted. There are two significant issues that must be considered when before the introduction of air carrier service at Meacham. First, the existing facilities and airport operating surfaces must be improved; and second, to operate the airport outside the restrictions imposed by the Wright and Shelby Amendments may require a change in policy. Meacham currently operates under a full FAA Part 139 Certificate, which makes the airport eligible for Air Carrier Service, however; the airport has always been under a "grandfather clause" for runway and runway safety area Deficiencies. Staff has a planned airport improvement project that encompasses over$24,000,000 worth of runway and runway safety area repairs. The design and engineering phase of this project will be completed in FY-04 with ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8573 P'STRO& February 24, 2004 CA M To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2 rsxa SUBJECT: Air Carrier Service at Meacham International Airport construction phases in FY 05 through 07.The city's 10% match is in position for fiscal years 04 through 07. The only potential limiting factor may be the State and Federal match requirement. Staff has met with representatives from TxDOT and the FAA who are working to ensure that the resources are available when needed. Staff also met with the City's Federal lobbyists for assistance in securing FAA discretionary funding for the out years. When air carriers evaluate Meacham for establishing service, a project of this magnitude that will cause temporary closure of the runway, may persuade them to look elsewhere. The Wright and Shelby Amendments restrict travel into and out of Dallas Love Field. Federal law prohibits airlines from offering transportation for sale between Dallas Love Field, and any point beyond Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Alabama. In essence mandating regional status. Although Meacham International Airport is not subject to the Wright and Shelby Amendments, the city has always operated the airport as though it was, for air carrier purposes. In regards to the Meacham International Airport serving areas outside of the requirements of the Wright and Shelby Amendments, a policy change may be necessary. Conclusion: Meacham International Airport provides a unique opportunity for the City of Fort Worth to establish air carrier service. It has been determined through the Air Service Study that there is a viable future market for regional service and the potential for the establishment of a longer route structure. Based on current industry conditions staff believes we have an opportunity to address infrastructure issues in the immediate future to better posture ourselves for service in the 3 to 5 year timeframe. The Master Plan will address necessary changes to our current infrastructure and provide a Capital Improvement Plan to address any identified deficiencies. The plan will also provide alternate redevelopment opportunities, should the decision be made not to pursue future air carrier service. Recommendation: Staff recommends that we continue to promote and develop Meacham International Airport with the intention of providing future air carrier service. Staff is in the process of developing a Strategic Action Plan for the identification and remediation of all potential issues associated with air carrier service. This effort will include an effective marketing campaign to enhance the image and perception of Meacham to that of a first class commercial service airport. Previous attempts to provide air carrier service have resulted in failure. Repeat performance of that nature in today's economy would be devastating for the future of Meacham. Gary W. Jackson City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS