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Director's Dialogue
Where did the summer go? With a number of significant projects underway and the summer travel season winding down, we are looking forward to the opportunities fall brings to the airport. Among those projects, FWA was the first airport in Indiana to receive the federal VALE grant, which is aimed at reducing aircraft emissions and other air quality improvements. You can read more about these enhancements under "Airport Projects."
Although not quite fall, an air show will take place at the 122nd Fort Wayne Air National Guard Base on Labor Day weekend - and you're invited! This family-friendly event promises to be one of the most attended of the year. The Airport Authority has been working with the Guard for months to prepare and we look forward to putting on a great, FREE show for the Fort Wayne community.
Air show events will begin around sunset Friday evening, August 31, with the Open Air Country Concert, featuring country artist Jason Michael Carroll. Following the concert, there will be a pyrobatic air show performance. Saturday and Sunday mornings, gates will open at 9 a.m., with the F-22 Raptor Demo Team performing from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be a 5k/10k run Saturday morning, an aviation-themed Kid's Zone, a sensory access hour for viewers with special needs, as well as food and concessions. We invite you to visit the website at www.fwairshow.com for more information about air show events. This is sure to be a fantastic weekend filled with entertainment for the entire family. We hope to see you there!
We look forward to sharing with you many other airport happenings in this edition of our e-newsletter. Thanks and enjoy.
Sincerely,
Scott D. Hinderman, A.A.E.
Executive Director of Airports
Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
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Air Service Update
New Air Service to Southwest Florida Has Officially Begun!
 | | FWA Executive Director Scott Hinderman, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, and Indiana State Representatives Matt Lehman and Dan Leonard cut the ribbon for the inaugural flight to Punta Gorda |
In our last newsletter, FWA was excited to announce that Allegiant had added non-stop flights from FWA to southwest Florida. The service to Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), located just 30 minutes from popular Fort Myers, began on June 28, 2012, and operates twice per week.
To celebrate the new air service, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in the terminal on June 28, and the Airport Authority sponsored some fun activities for the passengers on the inaugural flight. FWA also partnered with Indiana's News Center and Allegiant to sponsor a contest for a 3-day getaway for 4 to Southwest Florida. INC also did a great 30-minute feature on their program InSight you can watch online on their website.
Tickets to Southwest Florida are available for purchase. Visit www.allegiant.com to make a reservation, or call their reservation line at 702-505-8888.
American Airlines Benefits from "TRIP" Incentive Program
 | | Paige Teel of American Airlines, accepts an incentive check from FWA Executive Director Scott Hinderman, and Airport Authority Board President Mike Gouloff |
American Airlines was recently rewarded as part of the airport's Traffic and Revenue Improvement Plan (TRIP), a reimbursement program for airlines that meet specific criteria while operating at FWA. Entering its sixth year, this incentive program allows the Airport Authority to continually promote the FWA market to new and existing airlines. American qualified for the "Category 3 - Increased Enplanements" reimbursement because their enplanements rose significantly for three consecutive quarters (the third and fourth quarter of 2011 through the first quarter of 2012). Congratulations to American Airlines! We hope to award more incentives to you, as well as other airlines in the near future! |
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Airport News
"Fort Wayne Market Express" Opens in FWA Terminal
Passengers at FWA now have a quick option for snacks, gifts, and other travel items before boarding their flight. First Class Concessions, the airport's concessionaire, has expanded its services to include a retail kiosk near Gates 5-8 on the second level of the terminal. "Fort Wayne Market Express" offers magazines, newspapers, books, souvenirs, sundries, and fresh food and beverages to-go. They even sell gifts from local hometown favorites, Vera Bradley and DeBrand Fine Chocolates.
"We are very excited to be enhancing our facilities once again for passengers," said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports. "The new restaurant, coffee shop and gift shop have been very well received by travelers, and we hope they enjoy this new addition just as much."
So the next time you are taking a flight out of FWA, make sure to stop by and check out the new kiosk for all your gift, food, and reading needs!
Modern Art Installation coming soon to FWA Terminal
The Airport Authority has partnered with the Fort Wayne Sister Cities International (FWSCI) to install artwork in the Terminal representing the 4 current sister cities of Takaoka, Japan; Plock, Poland; Gera, Germany; and Taizhou, China. The purpose of the artwork is to educate the public about the existence of FWSCI, which is a 35-year old not-for-profit organization, with a mission of promoting international understanding between the residents of Fort Wayne, and the residents of our sister cities.
The artwork, which is funded by donations to the Sister Cities group, will be installed on the south & west bulkheads in the regional hold area, just past the security checkpoint in front of the restaurant.
George Morrison was selected as the winning artist, with his "Flights of Friendship, Weaving Cultures" design. His design has 1 band for each sister city, and a weaving thread symbolizing Fort Wayne sharing and connecting with each city. The artwork will tentatively be installed sometime in October, with the official unveiling celebration taking place at the end of October. Stay tuned for more pictures when the installation is completed.
FWACAA Board Members Begin Transition to Paperless Meetings
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) continually looks at improving processes and making the organization more "green", and the board level is no exception. In May, the FWACAA board members were issued a Toshiba Excite tablet from the Airport Authority where they can receive documents for board meetings much more quickly and efficiently. These new tablets will drastically cut down paper usage, personnel time to print the documents, and postage costs for delivery to the board members. This has been a great initiative, and the Airport Authority is excited for this transition!
Airport Authority Hosts "Media Day" at FWA
 
Last month, the Airport Authority hosted its first ever media day. Members of the media were invited out to the airport for an opportunity to shoot fresh photos and video, as well as conduct interviews with various staff members. The day began with a presentation overview of the operations at the airport from the Airport Authority to all of the airport tenants. Afterward, media members were given an exclusive "behind the scenes" all-access tour around the airport including the ramp areas, the maintenance facilities, and the Public Safety Department. All three local TV news stations were in attendance as well as a local newspaper. We wish to thank all of the media that attended this event, and we hope you all see this fresh video and photos in the media sometime soon!
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Airport Projects
Airport Receives Air Quality Grant from the FAA
FWA recently received a federal grant dedicated to improving air quality and reducing aircraft emissions. FWA is the first airport in Indiana to receive the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) grant, which allows airports to invest in low-emission vehicles, major infrastructure enhancements, and other air quality improvements.
The airport plans to use the VALE grant to improve the electrical capacity of the terminal, enabling the installation of pre-conditioned air units on passenger loading bridges. The new units will remove the need to use an aircraft's auxiliary power unit or other ground support equipment and allow aircraft to connect to the terminal building's cleaner, centralized heating and cooling system. In completing the $1 million electrification project, aircraft emissions will be significantly reduced and FWA will lead the state in progressive and innovative airport infrastructure.
Upcoming Projects: Perimeter Fence Replacement and Runway Guard Light Installation
Two projects underway at the airport are the Perimeter Fence Replacement and the installation of Runway Guard Lights at runway intersections. The Airport Authority recently received notification of grant approval on the Perimeter Fence Replacement and that project will begin during the month of August and last through the fall. This project involves replacing much of the aging fence that surrounds the airfield. Some of the current fencing is nearly 50 years old and no longer complies with updated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.
Runway Guard Lights are alternating flashing lights installed at taxiway-runway intersections. These lights are currently mounted at the airport's busier taxiway-runway intersections and this project will continue the safety enhancement by including the installation of lights at the 18 remaining intersections. The Airport Authority is awaiting grant notification on this project and plans to have it completed by the end of 2012. |
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The Airport Events & Recognition
Aviation Scholarships Awarded to Local High School Students
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(From left) Paola Guardado will attend Indiana University to be an aerospace physician. Brian Downey will continue his education at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina with hopes of entering the U.S. Army to become a helicopter pilot. Ian Holloway plans to study physics at Cedarville University and hopes to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. Matthew Witt is currently enrolled at Anthis Career Center and is taking A & P classes at Ivy Tech to become an aviation mechanic. |
The Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum is proud to announce the 2012 Jim Kelley Memorial Scholarship recipients: Ian Holloway of Concordia Lutheran High School, Paolo Guardado of Wayne High School and, on behalf of Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport, Brian Downey of Bishop Dwenger High School and Matthew Witt of Northrop High School. All winners received a $1,500 scholarship to pursue a career in an aviation related field.
The Jim Kelley Memorial Scholarship was created in 2006 in memory of Jim Kelley, a local entrepreneur and champion of aviation in Northeast Indiana. The scholarship is open to high school seniors planning to pursue an aviation-related degree at an accredited college or university or those enrolled in the Airframe & Powerplant (A & P) Certification program at Ivy Tech Community College, located at Smith Field Airport. To be eligible, students must submit their GPA, an essay, and one recommendation.
Congratulations to the scholarship winners! We wish you the best of luck in the pursuit of your careers!
3rd Quarter "Art in the Airport" Feature - Carissa Chrzan Photography
 
Fort Wayne resident, Carissa Chrzan, is this quarter's "Art in the Airport" featured artist. Carissa's photography work features mostly portraits in her distinct style. Her interest in photography started at a very young age. It wasn't until college, however, that she discovered her true passion for the art. While in college, Carissa took several photography classes and learned the art of lighting, composition, and subject matter. Since graduating from Purdue in May 2011, she started Carissa Chrzan Photography and continues to learn and grow as an artist and business owner.
To view more of Carissa's work, check out her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carissa-Chrzan-Photography/135981103146050 or look through the online album of this display on the Airport's Facebook Page. Many of her prints are currently for sale, and inquiries for purchasing prints or hiring Carissa for a shoot should be directed to her at Carissa.chrzan@gmail.com.
Airport Authority Staff Available for Speaking Engagements in 2012
Looking for a speaker for your class, club, or an upcoming event? Did you know the staff at the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority is available to meet with your group free of charge? We have very educated and experienced people who can meet with you to discuss topics ranging from aviation/airport careers, the history of the Fort Wayne Airport, airport operations and safety, the hospitality industry, air service challenges, economic development at the airport, and more. Our staff can speak at your meeting or you can arrange meetings at the airport. We can address small or large crowds and groups of all ages.
To arrange a speaking engagement, please contact Michele Platte at mplatte@fwairport.com or 260-446-3422 with your group name, contact information, topic you would like discussed, and the date(s) you are interested in meeting, and Michele will work with the staff to make such arrangements.
Fort Wayne Air Show - LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
The 2012 Fort Wayne Air Show is set to take off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. This promises to be one of our city's largest events. For complete air show event schedule and information, visit www.fwairshow.com.
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What: |
2012 Fort Wayne Air Show | |
Where: |
FW 122nd Guard Base | |
When: |
Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 1 - Sept. 2 2012 | |
Price: |
FREE to the public! |
Save the date - Annual Air Service Luncheon
Make sure to save the date! The annual Air Service Luncheon held at the FW Chamber of Commerce is set for September 26, 2012 from 11:30AM-1PM. The Airport Authority and The Chamber will be bringing back guest speaker Bill Swelbar to speak about issues such as airline labor cost restructuring, regulatory issues governing air transport, communication strategy and support, and air service development on behalf of airports and communities. For more information on Swelbar, visit his blog, www.swelblog.com. More information about this luncheon will be posted on The Chamber's website closer to the event.
Airport Authority Participates in Community Parade
Members of the airport authority staff and their families participated in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on Saturday, July 14, 2012. Members of the walking unit handed out the famous airport sugar cookies, FWA and SMD temporary tattoos, and a select number of FWA t-shirts to parade attendees. The unit also featured one of the airport Public Safety Department vehicles, and one of the electric passenger shuttles. The airport staff had a wonderful time participating in the parade, and we are pretty sure the crowds loved the goodies. We hope to continue to participate again in the future, so maybe we'll see you next year!
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Business Connections
Advertising at the Airport
The Airport Authority is partnering with Michiana Business Publications, Inc. to sell advertising space at Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport. Michiana Business Publications, Inc. is the publisher of Business People magazine. To learn about advertising opportunities at FWA and SMD, please contact Michiana Business Publications at 260.497.0433.
Upcoming Solicitation & Bid Opportunities
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FWA Airport Statistics
2012 Passenger Numbers
2nd Quarter Enplanements (Apr - Jun 2012)
2011 72,910
2012 71,647 Decrease of 1.73%
YTD Enplanements (Through June)
2011 137,649
2012 139,578 Increase of 1.40%
Total Passengers (Enplaned and Deplaned)
277,973 YTD June 2012. Increase of 1.85% over YTD June 2011.
Cargo: 11,916,684 lbs YTD June 2012. Increase of 9.74 % over YTD June 2011.
Annual Economic Impact: $323 Million (Source: Aviation Association of Indiana)
SMD Airport Statistics
 Fuel Sales: 22,975 gallons (YTD June 2012) 17,229 gallons (YTD June 2011)
Annual Economic Impact: $8 Million (Source: Aviation Association of Indiana) |
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WANT TO MAXIMIZE YOUR VIEWING EFFICIENCY?
Your current default mailing list is set to General Interest. You may select the mailing lists you wish to join by updating your profile using the link at the bottom of this newsletter. By doing so, you will only receive timely information about the items and issues that interest you most. Please view the following list of options and their descriptions: Air Service
This mailing list will receive periodic updates about air service changes and other types of air service marketing updates. The frequency of the updates will be on an "as-needed" basis.
Airport Development
Subscribing to receive Airport Development notices will provide you with updates and information about airport land planning, property development, leasing opportunities, Foreign Trade Zone activities and other business opportunities on and near Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field.
FWA Tenants
This email list will be for Airport Authority tenants at Fort Wayne International Airport. The list will be used to communicate news and airport information for our tenants. The length and frequency of the email will be driven by necessity.
This will be a quarterly email covering a variety of airport and aviation related issues. The articles will be overviews of projects, air service issues, and airport events/happenings. It is anticipated to be about 3 pages in length.
Subscribing to receive International Trade notices will provide you with updates and information on Foreign Trade Zone 182 activities and opportunities, the National Foreign Trade Zone Board, the Midwest World Trade Association, and information and links related to importing and exporting, U. S. Customs and to organizations focused on international trade.
This email will be a periodic email sent out based on legislative activities. Demand and activity will determine the length and frequency of these emails. It is anticipated that the frequency will be less than weekly but more than quarterly.
Members of the Media
This email list will be for members of the media. It will be used for future media announcements and media events. Emails will generally be limited to one page in length and will be disseminated as demand warrants - approximately one per month.
Smith Field Airport
Periodic updates will be made through this format in order to keep our stakeholders and general public informed about the constantly changing conditions of our community's general aviation airport, Smith Field Airport.
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FORT WAYNE-ALLEN COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
About Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field. Since FWACAA's inception, Fort Wayne International Airport has undergone an aggressive improvement plan which included expansion of the terminal and parking areas, upgrades to the runways, and the creation of an Air Trade Center and Foreign Trade Zone to promote economic development in Northeast Indiana. As a result of FWACAA's commitment to customer service, Fort Wayne International Airport was recognized by USA Today as one of the friendliest airports in the nation. The Authority is governed by a six-member board appointed by both the Mayor of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit www.FWAirport.com. |
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