A C ORPORATE PUBLIC ATION BY T HE A UGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPO RT SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN Augusta Regional Airport Gives Back to the Community Augusta Regional Airport takes pride in its community involvement. AGS has partnered with several outside organizations recently including: A CORPORATE PUBLICATION BY THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT Local Schools and Daycares Students and teachers from schools and daycares around the CSRA participate in tours of the airport in order to learn about aviation and air travel. One group traveled almost an hour to see our airport – coming all the way from Louisville South Georgia! The Augusta Chapter of Links, Inc. - On May 12th the Augusta chapter of Links, Inc., Delta Air Lines, and the Augusta Regional Airport provided 50 local, inner city fifth graders from Lamar Milledge Elementary School and Hornsby elementary the opportunity to experience various aspects of air travel. The day included the experience of checking in at the airline ticket counter to receive their boarding passes, going through the TSA security screening procedure, boarding an airplane, talking to the pilot and flight attendant, and deplaning in the “Hawaiian Islands” and the “African Continent” before retrieving their luggage at the baggage carousel. Old Union Baptist Church The airport provided a model of a WWII Piper J3 Cub “flight simulator” along with promotional and educational materials for their Vacation Bible School classes. Over 100 students participated in the summer Bible school which incorporated a Space Camp theme. The students had the opportunity to sit in the AGS wPiper J3 Cub model and operate the working controls. They also gained familiarity with the control panel and instrumentation. AGS provided coloring books, toys, informational booklets and educational materials. Magical Fires of Polynesia, a local cultural organization, greeted the kids with leis as they deplaned. The group then performed and taught some of their native dances and discussed some of their traditions. The Ronald McDonald House The 2012 Ronald McDonald House Charity Plane Pull was held at Augusta Regional Airport. This year 25 teams competed including businesses and organizations from across the CSRA. Together these teams raised over $27,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. Members of the local organization Timeless Stitches demonstrated basket weaving and cultural crafts which have been handed down from their African ancestors. SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN Numbers Double during the 2012 Masters Tournament Week The week of April 1st was anotherA CORPORA successfulTE PUBLICA weekTION BYfor THE Augusta AUGUSTA REGIONALRegional AIRPO RT Airport! The 2012 Masters Tournament brought travelers from around the world to Augusta, Georgia to watch the first major tournament of the season. The Airport’s numbers show a significant increase from a standard weeks travels. There were over 2,000 inbound and outbound flights through AGS during the week. The commercial flights brought in larger aircraft from Canada, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. These planes held almost 200 passengers compared to the normal regional jets that hold 50. The General Aviation terminal also brought revenue to AGS. The FBO (Fixed Base Operator) parking area normally has approximately 6 private jets parked during an average day. However, during the busiest week of the year, over 140 jets were parked tightly in that area on a daily basis. Taxiway A and the Helipad were also converted into temporary parking for small aircraft. “We are pleased to see how many passengers choose to fly through AGS year after year as they travel to Augusta for the tournament” Said Gary LeTellier, Executive Director. “This is a testament to our employees and our tenants’ commitment to provide excellent customer service.” SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN Construction Update On June 1st the Airports long term parking lot was opened to provide over 400 additional spaces to airport parking. The second phase of the parking lot construction began on June 4th. This phase consists of the construction of the short term lot, a new rental car ready return lot, revenue gates, and miscellaneousA CORPORATE PUBLICATION BY THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT lighting, signage, and marking. This project is expected to be completed by Fall 2012. Please notice the parking map below that illustrates the lot closures and parking The Fixed Base Operations (FBO) building is in its final areas during this phase of construction. stages of construction. The building was opened for operation on Monday, June 25, 2012. The new FBO building includes a 14,000 square foot terminal, new parking for general aviation passengers and much more! The airport has invited several local artists to display some of their art inside the new terminal including Mr. Dave Welter. Some of the artwork around the terminal was donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN A CORPORATE PUBLICATION BY THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT AGS is prepared for an Emergency A catastrophic event is horrible in any situation but it can be made much worse by lack of preparation within an organization. Therefore the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires all commercial service airports to conduct tabletop emergency exercises every year with a full scale emergency drill every third year (triennial). AGS conducted its triennial emergency drill on May 23rd. Participating in the drill along with the airport were emergency response agencies from Richmond County, local hospitals, the Red Cross and other community organizations. Airport personnel and the other emergency response groups had the opportunity to practice procedures needed in the event of an actual aircraft accident or emergency. “ I am very pleased with the amount of support from the 18 different local and state agencies involved in the 6 planning meetings that led up to our May 23rd Mock Disaster Drill in support of our approved Emergency Plan”, said Tim Weegar, Director of Operations. “Everyone did a good job and all of our objectives were met” said Fire Chief, Willie Paulk. “We responded to the crash site within the FAA’s required time frame and were able to assist “passengers” with their mock injuries in a safe and efficient manner.” As a result of these drills and exercises, airport personnel are better prepared to respond in an actual emergency and can make improvements to those areas where there is room for improvement SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN different times and days in order to evaluate a variety of employees. We are pleased to announce their grade of 100%. Well done everyone! This quarter the Kudos Corner spotlights Dominique with US Airways, Republic Parking, Par 3 Bar & Grille, and the Augusta Regional Airport staff! AGS’s in terminal restaurant, A CORPORATE PUBLICATION BY THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT Par 3 Bar & Grille received praise from Mr. William Moore who traveled through AGS for the 2012 Masters Tournament. On his return flight he stopped at the Par 3 Bar & Grille for dinner and thought the food and service was excellent! “Considering the amount of people traveling through the airport, the staff provided excellent service,” Mr. Moore stated. He visits Augusta every year for the tournament and said he will make a point to stop at Ms. Kimberly Pickens from West Virginia visited AGS in Par 3 Bar & Grille during his next trip. October of last year. During her visit a “helpful young man from U.S. Airways” assisted her. That young man was Dominique! Dominique helped Ms. Pickens with rescheduling her return flight to Charlotte after the original flight was cancelled due to bad weather. He assisted Ms. Pickens by assuring she arrived home in a timely manner. “Your airport has some of the friendliest employees I have ever encountered“, said Ms. Pickens. Dominique has provided excellent customer service for US Airways since 2009. Way to go Dominique! In June of this year, Mr. Igor Shtykhan traveled through AGS from Russia. Mr. Shtykhan loved our airport and found all of the staff to be “very friendly and helpful.” As a result of the customer service he received at AGS he has recommended traveling through AGS to all of his friends and family for their future trips to the CSRA. AGS prides itself on the commitment to excellent customer service. Thank Augusta Regional Airport’s Republic Parking recently you to all of the Augusta received a 100% score on their mystery parker report. The Regional Airport tenants AGS parking concession is “shopped” monthly by mystery and staff for your hard customers and are graded on areas such as customer service, work and dedication in uniforms, working order of equipment, and friendliness upholding this value. of the cashier. The mystery shoppers visit the airport at SUMMER ISSUE 2012 • AGS GIVES BACK • CONSTRUCTION UPDATE • AGS EMERGENCY PLAN Like us on & Win a Prize! AGS is really excited with our new A CORPORATE PUBLICATION BY THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT Facebook page and we want to share our excitement with you! We will be giving away several different prize packages the 15th of every month beginning July 15, 2012. Everyone who “Liked” AGS’s (Augusta Regional Airport) Facebook page will be (AGS) Augusta entered into the drawing. “Like” us Regional Airport AGS says “THANKS AGAIN” today and have your friends join in the fun as well! Once you have “Liked” to its Travelers our page, write us a comment. We welcome your feedback and comments. Augusta Regional Airport has partnered with Thanks Again to offer Airport customers You can also find us on valuable rewards! If you already have a rewards card you can start earning double, triple, or even quadruple your miles! Enroll your major credit/debit cards today for FREE at http://www.thanksagain.com/ags/ This is the perfect opportunity to visit our Nation’s Capital and all of its historical landmarks.