Tena Keith

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Master Plan outlines guiding principles for sustainable and financially prudent development. It focuses on stakeholder collaboration, mitigating infrastructure vulnerabilities, and enhancing customer experience through technology. The plan's strategic direction involves expanding the passenger terminal for increased capacity, improving ground transportation with a public parking garage, identifying additional air cargo parking, and developing new general aviation hangars to accommodate growth, all while ensuring social responsibility and operational efficiency.

The board discussed statistics regarding enplanements, deplanements, and landed weights, along with seat capacity growth. Updates were provided on various ongoing airport infrastructure projects including a hangar complex, SRE building, terminal apron rehabilitation, parking garage construction, airport overlook, terrazzo work, and office expansion. The board celebrated an award nomination for a staff member and the success of a community outreach flying event. Financial business included the approval of the fiscal year 2027 budget and the authorization to purchase real estate located at 5927 Pinehurst Avenue. Additionally, the board recognized the efforts of the Forest Services in fire suppression operations.

The board meeting focused on several operational updates, including record-breaking enplanement statistics for the month of March, growth in seat capacity, and various infrastructure projects such as the T/Box Hangar Complex, SRE Building, Terminal South Apron, and parking garage. Notable recognitions included a staff member achieving Accredited Airport Executive status. Key board actions involved approving a new five-year lease agreement with Wilson Air Center, authorizing multiple task orders for engineering services related to terminal apron reconstruction and expansion, and awarding a contract for a terminal fire panel replacement. Additionally, a contract was approved for runway rubber removal and airfield painting services.

The board convened a special meeting to address recently approved state legislation impacting the governance and appointment structure of airport authority boards. Key actions included the unanimous approval of two resolutions: one formally disputing the changes mandated by the state legislation and affirming the engagement of legal counsel, and another authorizing the initiation of legal action to challenge the legislation, while also waiving certain procedural deadlines in the bylaws and addressing budget adjustments for projected legal expenses.

The board discussed key statistics for the airport, highlighting growth in enplanements, cargo, and flight operations. Updates were provided on ongoing infrastructure projects including hangar complex construction, terminal apron rehabilitation, a new parking garage, and terminal facility improvements. Recognition was given for professional awards received by airport staff and board leadership. The board approved contracts for emergency backup power installation, structure demolition services on Pinehurst Avenue, and the retention of additional legal counsel. Furthermore, a new board secretary was appointed.