Rabbi Jeff Portman (Sponsor Jody Braverman)
 

Tom Markus introduced Marty Lenss, who was named the new Airport Director in November 2014. Prior to this position, Lenns was Executive Director for the Rochester Airport Company in Rochester, Minnesota, and Airport Director for the Outgamie County Regional Airport in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He touched on many points during his informative airport update including the airport commission, airport partnerships, economic development and air service on a national and regional landscape.

 

Sustainability has been an important focus for the airport. Partnerships have been formed with both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The U of I Biomass Fuel Project currently operates on 64 acres of land near the airport to provide fuel for power plants. 68 acres have been designated for the ISU Strips Project which offers controlled and uncontrolled sections to improve water quality in our area. The importance of economic development is also an important focus as 2,695 jobs are tied to the airport which equates to $94.7 million in annual payroll and $224 million in annual economic output. 

 

CID offers 12 non-stop flights during peak seasons and has outpaced the national average in traffic growth. Allegiant and Frontier are the biggest part of the growth with a 144% increase in passengers daily.  Frontier continues to evolve and Allegiant offers the best potential for continued leisure market growth due to their low cost options. Pilot shortage is greatly impacting the industry. In August 2013 the FAA regulations raised the required number of flight experience hours to 1,500 hours from 250 hours. The pipeline of pilots can no longer keep up with the demand as we are exporting the talent we are creating as the new students are going overseas to gain their flying experience.
 

The airport is run without the benefit of general tax dollars. The majority of their operating revenue (26.9%) is generated by the parking lot and the $50 million terminal modernization project will be done without bonds which is almost unheard of in this industry. In June, 2015 the airport was declared debt free! In closing, Lenss reiterated the importance of using your local airport to keep Iowa dollars flowing through Iowa infrastructure.

 

Oct. 1 – Joint Service Club Luncheon @ University Club

Nov. 5 – Noon Rotary Centennial Celebration at the Iowa Memorial Union