e-Link Volume 3, 4th Quarter, 2013 Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., Executive Director
e-Link is a quarterly newsletter for our tenants, vendors and business partners to stay linked in with the projects, accomplishments and development at Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field.
October
¾¾ RSW was named runner-up in the 2013 Environmental Achievement Award - Innovation/Special Projects category, given by Airports Council International – North America for the RSW Lake Retrofit and Hazardous Wildlife Remediation project. RSW was selected based on our positive efforts to divert wildlife away from the airport in order to create a safer operating environment for aircraft and passengers. The ACI judges were impressed by the innovation and high level of coordination between staff, consultants and contractors as an example for other airports to follow.
¾¾ JetBlue began new nonstop daily service to Hartford-Bradley (BDL) on Oct. 24.
November
¾¾ Aviation Day 2013 was held at Page Field on Nov. 2. Approximately 5,400 people joined us at this annual event held to showcase aviation in our community. Attendees enjoyed viewing numerous aircraft displayed on the ramp, taking plane and helicopter rides, demonstrations from our police and fire departments and children's activities.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank, our Aviation Day food drive partner, received 2,541 pounds of food and $1,640 in cash donations. That money allowed the food bank to provide more than $9,800 in food for families in Southwest Florida.
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¾¾ airberlin increased nonstop service to Düsseldorf, Germany (DUS) to four weekly flights beginning Nov. 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014.
¾¾ The Noise Abatement and Community Affairs Committee of the Florida Airports Council awarded Southwest Florida International Airport its 2013 Noise Abatement Award at the Specialty Conference in Orlando on Nov. 6. This award was given to RSW for conducting a Part 150 Noise Study and making recommendations to reduce community concerns about aircraft overflight in Lee County.
¾¾ Frontier Airlines inaugurated weekly nonstop service to Wilimington/ Philadelphia New Castle Airport (ILG) on Nov. 16.
December
¾¾ LCPA partnered with the Lee County School District and Foundation for Lee County Schools as a host for the 2013 Teacher Immersion initiative designed to strengthen ties between educators and local businesses. The purpose of this program is to create a link in our community between the classroom and the workplace. More than 40 teachers participated in the program on Dec. 4.
¾¾ United began new nonstop service to Denver (DEN) on Dec. 20, 2013.
¾¾ Southwest Florida International Airport hosted Sounds of the Season 2013, an annual program that provides area schools the opportunity to showcase their talented young musicians and performers in a live-concert series, while providing seasonal music for visitors and travelers.
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¾¾ A new art exhibit, Oh, The Places We Will Go!, was installed at Southwest Florida International Airport in the hallways leading to the B and D concourses. Lee County School District art students took their imaginations on an adventure to discover the places they would like to go. Students were invited to work with 32-inch by 40-inch canvases and create original artwork for the exhibit. Thirty pieces were submitted by 26 local elementary, middle and high schools. This unique collection is colorful and vibrant, reflecting travel throughout our world and beyond!
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RSW Statistics
¾¾ During December, 735,739 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, an increase of 8.2 percent compared to December 2012. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 3.9 percent from the same period last year. December 2013 was the best December in the 30-year history of the airport.
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RSW Statistics (Continued)
Meet JetBlue @ RSW
JetBlue Airways was founded in February 1999 by David Neeleman, a former Southwest Airlines executive, with the intent of offering a low-cost air travel option combined with the comfort and amenities of a legacy carrier. Neeleman said he wanted to “bring humanity back to air travel,” and in July 1999, JetBlue revealed all its aircraft would offer 24 channels of live satellite TV at every seat – a first for the airline industry. Today, JetBlue continues to distinguish itself from other carriers with 36 channels of DIRECTV, SiriusXM satellite radio, one free checked bag and a variety of free snacks and drinks for every passenger to enjoy during their flight - all while incorporating their signature, creative “blue” style. In addition, JetBlue launched in-flight Wi-Fi this year via satellite technology, offering a high-speed broadband connection for travelers – once again, a first in the industry.
Tracy Morgan, station manager for JetBlue at Southwest Florida International Airport, began working here in November 2000, when the airline inaugurated service between JFK and Fort Myers. Through the years she has grown with the company, starting out as a ramp agent and now supervising a staff of as many as 90 JetBlue (Continued on Page 5) Page 4 e-Link Volume 3, 4th Quarter, 2013 Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., Executive Director
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employees during busy season. “One thing I really love about the company,” Tracy says, “is that all crew members are empowered and treated as equals. Every person that works for JetBlue – even the CEO – is considered a crew member. There are no titles printed on our badges!” This corporate culture encourages self-initiative, leadership and a sense of community. In fact, every JetBlue crew member is hired based on five criteria: safety, caring, integrity, passion and fun.
JetBlue also strives to maintain connections in the communities it serves. In Southwest Florida, JetBlue is a chief supporter of the Brotherhood Ride, an annual event held to honor the memory of first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, who died in the line of duty. Participants ride their bicycles to the hometown of the selected individual(s) and provide financial and emotional support to their families and friends. “We hire a lot of retired police and firefighters at JetBlue, so it's a great way to give back,”Tracy explains.
During the 2013 spring training season, crew members volunteered their time working in the concession stands at JetBlue Park and raised more than $5,000 for the Brotherhood Ride. Crew members are also encouraged to stand up for causes near and dear to their own hearts. You may have noticed the Adopt-A- Road signs along Treeline Avenue – this was an initiative organized by a local JetBlue crew member. In addition, employees are able to travel for volunteer opportunities in other communities, like Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts in New York and New Jersey.
JetBlue puts customer care as one of their top priorities and has earned a total of nine J.D. Power & Associates Awards for outstanding customer service. “We believe the key to our success is hiring the right people and then giving them the ability to make the right decisions,” Tracy says. That's also why JetBlue retains a large number of its seasonal staff who return annually to work the busy months, November through May. According to Tracy, “We live and work by our values and love what we do.” And that positive attitude has helped make JetBlue the sixth-largest U.S. airline, currently serving 82 domestic, Caribbean and Latin American cities with an average of 800 daily flights.
JetBlue appreciates having a great working relationship with the Lee County Port Authority. “Our corporate office says RSW is one of the best airports in our network. The communication is outstanding and we easily work together to find solutions to benefit both organizations.” LCPA is proud of our partnership with JetBlue, and we look forward to watching them surpass customer expectations for many more years to come.
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