INSIDE New Board Prepares Economic Development Boost ...Page 3 J AN UARY 20 1 2 VOLUME 9 NO. 2
2011 Marks Record Year At Dulles By Kara Clark, Staff Writer
2011 was a banner year for Dulles Airport, and hopes are to build on Dulles’ success as an economic engine in 2012. Airport Manager Chris Browne gave his annual address to the Committee for Dulles in December. While international traffic rose to new record levels at Dulles, with new nonstop service to Reykjavik, Iceland, and Istanbul, Turkey, domestic traffic declined, reflecting significant cuts in capacity spread among U.S. airports, which was consistent with industry trends. After rapid growth in air cargo in 2010, this sector of airport business declined in 2011
as economic conditions softened. But international cargo remained relatively strong. The Washington, DC, region’s air traffic has grown faster than the national average in the last 15 years, Browne noted, and the area’s international traffic continues to far exceed national growth trends during that same time period. The region also ranks as having the fourth highest propensity for international travel, making it a magnet for international air service growth. In 2011, domestic travel at Dulles declined slightly to 17.1 million passengers, down from 17.4 million a year earlier. The airport reached a high of 22.1 million domestic passengers in 2005. International
travel continued its steady growth, recording 6.5 million passengers last year, a jump of about 100,000. Total passengers at Dulles equated to 23.6 million in 2011, down from 23.8 million in 2010. The record was also achieved in 2005, when the airport totaled 27.1 million passengers. Domestic capacity, measured in passenger seats, declined steadily throughout 2011, recording a 6.1 percent drop by the end of the year. But, despite frequency cuts on some routes, Dulles gained service to Louisville, KY; Minneapolis, MN; Salt Lake City, UT; and Tulsa, OK; although it lost American Airlines service to San Juan, PR. International capacity continued its
upswing, recording a gain of 1 percent. Expanded route frequencies were added to Istanbul, Turkey; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Beijing, China; and Paris, France. Air cargo declined after a strong 2010, with 315,000 freight tonnes recorded. This was down from 323,000 in 2010. International cargo remained steady, however, with only a 1,000-ton drop. Browne noted that the decline in air cargo tracked downward with increasing economic uncertainty as the year wore on. But on the plus side, Dulles has a lot to boast when it comes to its cargo opportunities. Browne noted that the airport’s See Dulles, Page 9
Leesburg Airport Continues Growth; New Initiatives Planned By Kara Clark, Staff Writer
Leesburg Airport’s increasing popularity over the years has meant more capital projects to expand the general aviation airport’s capacity. Currently, hangar space is 100 percent leased and tie-downs are more than 90 percent leased at the airport. The Leesburg Airport Commission and town staff has been eying the purchase of additional acreage around the airport to continue its rapid growth into the future. Town of Leesuburg Photo PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PAID Permit #78 Springfield, VA
Leesburg Executive Airport has some exciting things on the horizon, according to Airport Commission Chairman Dennis Boykin, who appeared before the Leesburg Town Council in December to update it on several initiatives underway at the town general aviation airport. The airport’s popularity continues to grow, evidenced by its zero vacancy hangars and 93 percent occupied tie-downs. With 239 aircraft based at the airport and an obvious need for further growth, several projects have recently wrapped up to help address that demand. Two phases of the South Apron expansion project, including construction of a larger fuel farm, have been completed and the long-planned instrument landing system is operational, Boykin noted. Grant awards have also helped pave the way for other improvements, including security gates, road repairs and a helipad. On the latter, Boykin said Acting Airport Director Kaj Dentler is working on a lease for the helipad, which isn’t even built yet. Commissioners and airport staff members also are looking toward future runway extensions and acquiring an additional 40 acres of land. The appraisal process for that land is ongoing, Boykin said. The commission also is looking for the Federal Aviation Administration and the
state government to help with the funding of perimeter fencing, which would help improve safety and customer service. While helping to keep wildlife out, perimeter fencing also would allow virtually every kind of aircraft to be based in Leesburg based on insurance companies’ requirements. Another prospect for the airport is the potential location of a U.S. Customs Service office to allow for international flights to arrive and depart from the airport. With negotiations ongoing between the town airport and Customs, Boykin said there is no timeline for a decision, but hopes are to get something done by the next fiscal year. There is the potential for Customs to use shared space or other space could be constructed for that sole purpose. Although attendance was down for the 2011 airport air show because of inclement weather, the airport staff has acquired a $10,000 state aviation department grant to put toward this year’s show, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29. The Town Council approved changes to the airport’s rules and regulations in December, an item commissioners had been poring over and editing for a few years. The prior version had not been updated since 1986. Dentler said the three major changes to the rules and regulations provide airSee Leesburg, Page 9