Great Falls International Regional Airport Authority

The meeting focused on the CH2M Master Plan alternative discussion, which covers a 20-year planning horizon addressing potential airport growth in employment, passenger volume, landside access, parking, and terminal facilities. Key phases reviewed included inventory collection and the FAA-approved aviation activity forecast. Discussions also covered facility requirements and alternative evaluation, which uses criteria such as environmental compatibility, cost considerations, and operational compliance. Specific airside concerns addressed included the need for centralized de-icing facilities for airlines, general aviation traffic, and the military's current practice of de-icing that drains into a grass ditch, necessitating migration to the existing glycol pond system. Runway planning involved focusing on Runway 16/34, aiming to extend it to 6,000 feet to accommodate commercial fleet operations during potential closures of the primary Runway 14/32. Another item discussed was the potential for improved instrument flight procedures, especially for Runway 34. Additionally, the National Guard requested a parallel salt landing zone to Runway 16/34, which would also serve the general aviation community. Including these elements in the Master Plan facilitates future project implementation via a categorical exclusion rather than lengthy environmental evaluations.

The meeting began with roll call, noting several members were absent, and proceeding without a swearing-in ceremony due to no expiring terms. Key discussions focused on the consent agenda, which included approval of previous board meeting minutes from November 24, 2015, and various financial items such as payroll checks for November and December, maintenance and operation checks, passenger facility charges for November and December, and the financial reports for November and December. A single item on consent agenda B involved a maintenance and operations check payable to Telco Construction. The Director's report highlighted a record fourth quarter with increased passenger numbers attributed to a marketing campaign in Canada, despite the decline in the US dollar, noting that promotional efforts focusing on price point remain compelling. Discussions also covered board training opportunities, specifically mentioning the upcoming national AAAE conference in Houston and the regional Northwest Chapter conference. Furthermore, the board is actively pursuing Chicago service under a small community air service development grant, with critical decisions expected shortly. Updates were provided regarding the engineering contract, noting a revised plan with the FAA to extend the current contract to complete runway work before conducting a new selection process in 2017 for the subsequent construction cycle. The director presented the Canadian marketing strategy, detailing print ads, Google Adwords, Twitter and Facebook promotions, digital billboards in Lethbridge, and movie mail ads, noting excellent engagement and increased website traffic. Finally, a major capital funding plan for 2017 and subsequent years was introduced for discussion.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the consent agenda, which included board meeting minutes from May 31st, payroll checks totaling $137,072.14, Maintenance and Operation checks totaling $153,519.04, and financial reports. Discussions covered updates from an airline conference, noting that airlines are slowly acquiring 70-seat equipment, which is slower than anticipated, leading to older 50-seat equipment remaining in service longer, especially as they approach expensive 40,000-hour maintenance cycles. Capacity limitations, particularly peak summer crew shortages, were noted. United Airlines expressed satisfaction with Chicago flights, showing high load factors, although fare environment was slightly lower than expected. There is interest from United Airlines in adding more flights for 2017, potentially including a midweek flight. Alaska Airlines is adding a flight in the fall due to realizing current service was short seats, projecting more seats next summer. Southwest Airlines is now positioned to serve smaller markets due to changes in ground handling crew requirements, opening possibilities for seasonal markets using their Chicago hub, potentially supported by performance data from Frontier flights. A significant fuel spill exceeding 100 gallons occurred recently due to an issue during truck delivery/defueling, prompting consideration to revise minimum standards in August to license/badge fuel truck delivery personnel to enforce compliance regarding safety devices.

Discussions included the approval of the consent agenda, which comprised the approval of prior board minutes from October 27, 2015, finance committee minutes from September 8 and November 17, 2015, payroll warrants, maintenance and operations checks, passenger facility charges, and financial reports for October. A report detailed a business plan submission from Bravo 369 regarding establishing an air museum, potentially involving seasonal storage of their aircraft. Updates on passenger volume showed a record October with six percent growth, significantly influenced by a Canadian marketing campaign, which also boosted website traffic. Construction progress was reviewed, noting remaining tasks like erecting overhead signs and installing light poles. Furthermore, discussions focused heavily on the runway program, particularly regarding runway width and thickness specifications in light of existing FAA guidance, military flight operations (C-130 training), and the retirement of 727 aircraft. Various funding scenarios involving local matching funds and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds were presented for the runway project.

The meeting commenced with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. The consent agenda, which passed unanimously, included approval of prior board and finance committee meeting minutes, payroll checks totaling $86,720.99, maintenance and operation checks totaling $32,442.47, approval of passenger facility charges, and financial reports for November 2021. The Director's report covered implementing monthly bank reconciliations as an audit finding response, noting positive trends in airline capacity additions by United and Alaska, and the eventual shift in top carrier status from Delta to United. A significant portion of the discussion involved Capital Project Task Order 31 for terminal improvement/modernization (Phase One), which includes installing a new storm drain system, replacing exterior and atrium signage, replacing carpet with terrazzo in the main baggage claim area, and replacing the atrium door to mitigate wind load issues. The Board was asked to approve a budget of up to $100 million for this project to allow for immediate submission for FAA environmental review. The final agenda item involved an update on proceeding with the Screening Partnership Program application, as screening volumes have recovered, which would transition TSA functions to a private entity overseen by TSA, noting positive experiences at other airports like Bozeman and Kalispell.