Attracting Business to your Airport

Attraction Business Aviation to your Airport….from a pilots perspective

A large state with limited air service outside of MSP…. but excellent airport facilities

Aviation in Minnesota

•  Increased Airport Operations •  Increased Fuel Sales •  Support Local Economic Development

All of us want to attract new business and aircraft to our airports

Who’s Currently Using your Airport?

The airport decision simplified to one factor…

What is the closest, suitable airport to the final destination that we can safely

operate the aircraft from?

How is the airport desitination decision made?

Typically the pilot or flight scheduler

Other factors being equal the decision then comes down to fuel pricing and personal preference

So who is making the airport decision?

“I just need an FAA grant for a longer runway…”

Build it and they will come??

Light Jets / Turboprops •  3500 – 4000 ft x 75 ft Paved, Lighted Runway •  Precision Instrument approach (ILS or GPS w/LPV) •  Jet Fuel

Larger Jets (or contaminated runways) •  6000+ ft x 100 ft

Nice to haves: •  Hangar space, Ground Support Equipment,

Maintenance Facility

What do I need to attract turbine aircraft?

•  Runway Length and Width •  Taxiways with suitable width and WBC •  Aprons •  Suitable Instrument Approaches

Supporting Business Aviation – Airside

•  FBO, Terminal or A/D Building –  Quiet –  Comfortable –  Wifi or Internet access a plus!

Supporting Business Aviation – Landside

Supporting Business Aviation – Facilities

•  #1 Priority - Airports they can safely operate from

•  Competitive Fuel Pricing

•  Clean / Comfortable FBO / Terminal / A/D Facility

•  Transportation Options

What are pilots looking for?

What are pilots looking for?

Making your Airport Business Aviation Friendly

Is your airport welcoming?

We got the aircraft to the airport, now we need to get them to town…

•  Courtesy Car •  Rental Cars / Van •  Taxi •  Ride Sharing

Ground Transportation

Is your airport well maintained? Pavement Conditions Snow Removal NOTAMS / FICON Obstructions / Hazards Security Fencing Wildlife Hazard Abatement

Part 139 Certificated Airport?

Don’t forget the basics

Don’t give pilots a reason NOT to choose you….

•  Make sure aero info is up to date! –  Runways, Taxiways, Hours of Operation, Services

•  FAA –  5010, Approach Charts, FAA Chart Supplement (A/FD)

•  MNDOT Airport Directory •  Airport Website •  ForeFlight •  AOPA •  AirNav.com

Aeronautical Information and Publication

•  Local Events •  State & Local Parks, Golf •  Local Attractions •  Restaurants

Tie into your local Assets

Promote Local Businesses

Other Ideas

Welcome to NC

Signage departing a Regional Airport

in North Carolina

•  Much of business aviation is small aircraft and operating below the radar….97% of business aviation users are small to medium sized companies (NBAA)

•  Help support them and provide the infrastructure to allow them to grow in aviation.

Don’t miss out on the traffic that’s already using your airport

Your best customers might already be there!

•  Attracting business to your airport is only ½ equation

•  Develop local business aviation

•  Seek out local businesses that are either using business aircraft or have the potential to

–  Chamber of Commerce –  Economic Development Authority –  Convention and Visitors Bureau

Transient vs Local Traffic

Do you have: •  Appropriate facilities for the aircraft you are trying to

attract?

•  The proper assets for supporting aircraft?

•  Up to Date information available for pilots?

•  Cooperation from Local Partners?

In Summary – Make sure your airport is ready

Questions?