Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport - Air Service in Kalamazoo and Small Communities

Updated 3 days ago

The Kalamazoo Airport Community Meeting brings together local leaders and aviation experts to discuss the challenges facing the Kalamazoo airport and the broader aviation industry. Craig Williams, the airport director, emphasizes the importance of community support in light of disruptive shifts in the industry post-pandemic. Bill Swelbar and Michael Lum provide insights into national trends, including the impact of deregulation and overcapacity, and the specific challenges facing smaller airports like Kalamazoo. The meeting also covers strategies to attract new air service, the role of community and economic development in airport success, and the competitive landscape with nearby airports. The discussion highlights the importance of regional cooperation and leveraging local economic strengths to improve air service offerings.

Chapters

Welcome and Introduction (00:00:12)
Craig Williams welcomes attendees, introduces himself as the airport director, and outlines the session's goal to discuss the airport's status and industry trends.

Craig Williams, the airport director, welcomes everyone to the meeting, thanks attendees for participating, and introduces the session's purpose. He provides a brief background on his experience in the aviation industry and highlights the importance of community support for the airport. The session aims to educate community leaders about the current state of the airport and the broader aviation industry, especially post-pandemic shifts.
Industry Overview by Bill Swelbar (00:05:19)
Bill Swelbar discusses the current challenges and trends in the aviation industry, focusing on the impact of deregulation, pandemic effects, and overcapacity issues.

Bill Swelbar, a consultant with expertise in aviation economics and airline finance, presents an overview of the aviation industry. He covers the historical context of deregulation, the pandemic's disruptive effects, and the ongoing issue of overcapacity in domestic airlines. Swelbar emphasizes the challenges small airports face due to larger airplanes, pilot shortages, and public policy issues such as essential air service subsidies.
Discussion on Airline Service and Economic Development (00:38:36)
Discussion on the importance of air service for economic development and the challenges faced by communities in attracting airlines.

The discussion focused on the relationship between airline service and economic growth in communities. It highlighted the risk-averse nature of airlines and the need for a strong local economy to attract air service. The importance of collaboration between economic development, air service development, and the community was emphasized.
Challenges in Air Service Development (00:40:03)
Analysis of challenges in air service development, including risk aversion, regional competition, and economic considerations.

The discussion analyzed the challenges in developing air service for communities like Kalamazoo. It highlighted the shift in risk aversion from communities to airlines, the competition among regions for air service, and the economic implications of adding air service. The need for strategic planning and careful consideration of existing resources was emphasized.
Kalamazoo Airport Specifics by Michael Lum (00:46:42)
Michael Lum addresses the specific challenges and opportunities for Kalamazoo Airport, focusing on air service development and competitive dynamics.

Michael Lum, managing partner at Vol Air Aviation, discusses the air service development strategies for Kalamazoo Airport. He highlights the changes in airline communication strategies over the past five years and the difficulties in attracting new air services. Lum provides insights into the competitive landscape, the impact of geography, and the role of community support in enhancing the airport's growth prospects.
Q&A and Community Engagement (01:01:23)
An open session for questions and answers, encouraging community engagement and discussion on the airport's future and industry trends.

The meeting opens up for a Q&A session where attendees are encouraged to ask questions about the presentations and share their thoughts. The goal is to foster community engagement and ensure that the participants leave with a better understanding of the airport's operations and the aviation industry's current state. The session aims to address community concerns and gather input to support the airport's development.
Strategies for Air Service Improvement (01:07:00)
Strategies for improving air service in Kalamazoo were discussed, focusing on increasing load factors and regional competitiveness.

Strategies for enhancing air service in Kalamazoo were discussed, including encouraging community members to choose Kalamazoo for travel, coordinating with airlines for larger events, and establishing Kalamazoo as a regional leader. The importance of building a strong network carrier foundation and leveraging the local economy was highlighted.
Q&A and Community Engagement (01:08:29)
Community members engaged in a Q&A session, discussing potential actions to improve air service and the airport's competitive position.

During the Q&A session, community members and leaders discussed potential actions to improve air service in Kalamazoo. Suggestions included choosing Kalamazoo for air travel, informing airlines about large events, and considering the full cost of travel when making decisions. The importance of community support and strategic planning was emphasized.
Discussion on Airport Commercial and Non-Aeronautical Revenue (01:14:55)
The discussion focused on the importance of diversifying revenue sources at the airport, not relying solely on commercial services.

The speaker emphasized the need to focus on non-aeronautical revenue sources at the airport. While commercial services are important, attracting businesses and tourism brings economic benefits. The speaker discussed strategies to leverage airport assets to attract companies that require aeronautical facilities.
Community Support for Local Airport (01:16:27)
Strategies for increasing community involvement and support for the local airport were discussed, emphasizing geographic challenges.

The discussion addressed the challenges posed by the geographic location of the local airport and nearby competitors. Suggestions were made on how to increase community involvement and support for the local airport. Ideas from other communities that could be adapted to the local context were considered.
Use of Incentives for Airline Services (01:17:19)
The use of incentives to attract airlines was discussed, with caution against perpetual subsidies and emphasis on sustainable growth.

The topic of using incentives to attract airlines was discussed. While incentives can be useful for the initial growth period of an airline in a community, they should not become perpetual subsidies. The importance of cost-benefit analysis and ensuring airlines meet their commitments was highlighted.
Thank You to Speakers and Closing Remarks (01:19:19)
The session concluded with expressions of gratitude to the speakers for their insights and a call to action for community involvement.

The session ended with the moderator thanking the speakers, Bill and Mike, for their presentations. The importance of understanding industry trends and local efforts in marketing and air service development was underscored. Attendees were encouraged to support local airport initiatives.