January 2009 Archives

While the FAA awaits a new administrator, I spoke with Nancy LoBue about what kind of person should fill the role.

LoBue, FAA's deputy assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment, has worked for the federal government since 1984, so she's seen plenty administration changes.

Her two cents:

1.Whoever lands the job should be a good manager. The position requires more than just a technical background, LoBue told me between sessions of the American Bar Association's air and space law forum yesterday. The person will work with everyone from transportation secretary Ray LaHood to the Office of Budget and Management (OMB). The administrator needs to be a strong executive who is able to work through issues in a practical manner, she adds.

2. The incoming administrator must have the trust of LaHood.

LaBue says she is hopeful the new administrator will be able to work with LaHood to build bipartisan support for FAA and DOT goals.

(Nancy LoBue's photo is from the FAA)

Dallas Love Field will get a new, million-dollar look.
 





Primary tenant Southwest Airlines is financing a $519 million construction project in which the three-concourse facility will be demolished and replaced with a singular, T-shaped concourse by 2013.

"Love Field is showing its age," Southwest vice president of properties Bob Montgomery says of concourses built in the 1950s. "The terminal facilities there are older than I am. They needed to be substantially upgraded. The cost to paint and patch wasn't significantly different than new construction."

The new building will feature more open gate areas, upscale retail and more food and beverage offerings, he says. Concessions will almost triple in size.

The forthcoming facility will also incorporate environmentally friendly components as Montgomery says the airport will pursue certification from the US Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Demolition of the north concourse will begin in the summer. Tear-down dates have not been set for the east and west concourses, says Dan Weber, director of aviation for the city of Dallas. Construction of the new concourse is unlikely until 2010, he adds.

Use of the new concourses is expected to begin in 2011 and all operations will be consolidated in the new facility in 2013, he says.

I hope they move the world map mosaic to the new building, even if it is outdated.

Montgomery says they are assessing what historical aspects of the existing facility will be kept in the replacement. There is a great deal of interest in the Texas Ranger statue in the lobby, he says. 



(Initial schematics for the new Love Field are courtesy of Southwest Airlines)

(Megan has asked her colleague Brendan, who covers Latin America for Flight, to write this blog on the Mexican airport scene.)

Mexico's ailing air transport market is starting to catch up with airports as several expansion projects south of the border are put on hold.

Los Cabos, a popular destination in Baja California for holidaying Americans, has decided to delay for at least one year the opening of a new terminal which would have doubled the airport's capacity. Los Cabos airport, which is operated by Mexican airport group GAP and handled three million passengers last year, was slated to open a fourth terminal this quarter. It is now slated to open in the first quarter of 2010.

Over in Monterrey, airport group OMA has delayed the opening of a third terminal which would have expanded capacity from seven to nine million passengers annually. The new terminal, which was slated to open this quarter, is now slated to open in the second half of this year.

As the new administration readies to lead the United States, Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) named Jane Calderwood its chief lobbyist.

Calderwood is currently vice president for lobbying firm Brown and Company. She will begin working for ACI-NA on 26 January.

As ACI-NA vice president of government and political affairs, Calderwood will monitor congressional actions affecting the aviation industry and will work with Congress, government agencies and other policy makers on aviation-related issues and legislative developments. She will also be responsible for the development and implementation of political strategies and initiatives to achieve the association's legislative goals.

Calderwood represents 10 client companies for Brown and Company. Prior to joining the firm, she served as chief of staff, legislative director and legislative assistant under Maine Republican Senator Olympia Snowe for 21 years.

After leading JetBlue Airways' move to Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International airport this fall, Alex Battaglia has been named vice president of airports.

Most recently vice president of Kennedy operations, Battaglia's responsibilities have been expanded to include all airport-related functions across the low-cost carrier's network.

Marisa von Wieding, previously JetBlue's director of Kennedy operations, will now be called director of that facility's operations and customer service, expanding her responsibilities from rampside operation to include the entire experience from curb to runway.