Airport Business - 31

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Akron-Canton Airport worked with Spirit to create a great relationship
with them educating families in their area about how easy it is to fly
with a family.
AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT

of the airlines need
for shared use systems
to a l low for more
f lexibility when an
issue arises. Dalpiaz said
they will see how the
systems work and adjust
as needed or determine
if they need to be added
to other gates as well.
Airlines tend to test new initiatives or technology at hubs,
so being cognizant of the decisions they're making shows what
other airports need to think about.
CAK's new gates can fit larger aircraft in order to meet the
needs of larger aircraft. A gate that is serviced by a regional jet
can now fit an A320 and have adequate hold space for travelers.

"Relationships are important in any industry and especially in
this industry," Corfman said. "People need to know who they're
working with because there's so much at stake. There's a lot of
money on the line when an airline flies and airplane into your
airport and you need to be really respectful of the decision
they're taking on and how they feel sitting in their office when
they're deciding which routes they're going to go to."
Pickering said it's a good idea to attend a mix of both larger
and smaller air service conferences.
"Anytime you can get in front of the airlines it's good to
do so because you may not be able to get to their corporate
offices, but you can get out to some of these smaller regional
or larger ones," he said. "Some of the larger ones like Routes,
you'll have more opportunities because there are more airlines
there, but at the same time, those are more popular, so you have
more airport vying for their time."

Know Marketing Targets
CAK is served by American, Delta, United and Spirit. Knowing
the difference in passengers between travelers in legacy airlines
and ULCC carriers, Dalpiaz said the airport has to work and
market them differently.
Legacy carriers are marketed heavily towards corporate
partners in the region. ULCC carrier passengers are more cost
conscious, so CAK has to make it as affordable as possible to
operate out of the airport to keep fares as low as possible.
"Our marketing initiatives are very heavily airline and air
service focused," Dalpiaz said. "We certainly want people to
know what our brand is, but it's more important to let people
know what air service and what kind of air service we have here."
Haan said it's important to maintain strong relationships
with carriers already servicing your airport and to know what
their performance is at your facility.
"The most important step in air service development that
I think is overlooked is maintaining what you have," he said.
"The only way the carriers are going to invest more in your
market is if what your currently have is successful."
Dalpiaz said CAK staff attend several major air service
development conferences per year, plus some smaller ones. Some
shows not only provide opportunity to meet with airlines, but
also allow them to talk with other airports about what efforts
they're making as well.
They also work to keep lines of communication going
with the airlines.
"It depends on your relationship with each of them and also
your service level," she said.

Conferences and Consultants are Key
FNT attends Jumpstart and Routes every year. Corfman said it's
vital to have time with the airlines in person as many times per
year as you can that works with their schedule and the shows
are the best place for that because they can knock out a whole
bunch of things all at once.

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Airport Business

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Airport Business
