News & Events
April 24, 2013:
4th Annual State of the Airport Presentation
The years since the beginning of the Great Recession have been difficult times for airlines and airports alike. Now, however, there are clear signs that the worst is over and that the industry has stabilized. Reviewing the new airline landscape will be one of the topics at this year’s State of the Airport presentation.
The newfound airline stability comes with big changes — the most notable being fewer airlines, and a much smaller supply of airline seats.
For customers it means crowded airplanes and higher fares — for the airport it means making sure we’re providing both customers and the airlines with great value.
Please join us for the 4th annual State of the Airport:
What: State of the Airport Presentation
When: Thursday, April 25, 3:30 pm
Where: Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, Missouri
February 11, 2013:
Airport Sees Growth in 2012
Passenger numbers were up at the Springfield airport in 2012 — the upward movement bucks national and regional trends.
“Our total passenger numbers were up 2.8% in 2012,” says Brian Weiler, airport director of aviation. “In this tight airline economy that’s impressive. It shows there’s strong passenger demand in Springfield.”
Total passenger numbers at competing airports prove the point. Tulsa was down 2%. Kansas City was down 4%. St. Louis was up 1.1%. Northwest Arkansas was up .60%.
“The airlines are in cost cutting mode. They’re dealing with the lingering effects of the recession by cutting back on seat capacity and number of flights,” says Weiler. “The result is that many airports across the country have seen flat or negative passenger growth. The fact that our numbers were up almost three percent is a reflection of Southwest Missouri’s strong economy.”
The current unemployment rate in the Springfield metropolitan area is 5.4%. Compare that to the national rate of 7.8%. “There’s an old rule of thumb in the airline industry,” says Kent Boyd, airport marketing director, “More employment means more people flying.”
Whether the upward trend continues is an open question. “Few expect airlines to add capacity in 2013,” says Boyd. “Nationally, flight schedules show a 1.5% drop in seat capacity in the first quarter.” That’s compared to the same quarter last year. “In spite of the capacity cuts I think there’s a good chance our upward trend will continue — especially since our regional economy is doing so well.”
Passenger numbers weren’t the only thing going up at the Springfield Airport — air freight shipments went up 6.6%. “On average North American airports saw flat cargo numbers,” says Boyd. “Up just half a percent — so we’re bucking national and regional trends on this metric as well.”
The airports in Kansas City and Tulsa were the only competing airports to see freight growth.
BY THE NUMBERS
Total Passengers
| AIRPORT | TOTAL PASSENGERS 2012 | PERCENT CHANGE FROM 2011 |
| Kansas City (MCI) | 9,896,821 | - 4% |
| Northwest Arkansas (XNA) | 1,109,917 | .60% |
| St. Louis (STL) | 12,668,726 | 1.1% |
| Springfield (SGF) | 752,214 | 2.8% |
| Tulsa (TUL) | 2,653,765 | - 2% |
Total Air Freight
| AIRPORT | AIR FREIGHT 2012 (lbs) | PERCENT CHANGE FROM 2011 |
| Kansas City (MCI) | 189,872,059 | 2.91% |
| Northwest Arkansas (XNA) | 55,333,000 | - 6.7% |
| St. Louis (STL) | 152,580,019 | - 0.5% |
| Springfield (SGF) | 28,830,104 | 6.6% |
| Tulsa (TUL) | 56,372,000 | 1.1% |
January 7, 2013:
Gourmet Coffee & Improved Wi-Fi Coming to Airport
Gourmet coffee is coming to the Springfield airport. Locally based Heroes Coffee Company will open an airport store in early February.
“Of all the requests we get from airport customers, gourmet coffee is probably the most mentioned,” says Brian Weiler, the airport’s director. “We already have two restaurants, two news and retail stores, and a full service bar. Gourmet coffee was the missing link — so I know the addition of Heroes will make a lot of people happy.”
Heroes Coffee Company is a gourmet coffee roaster and cafe wholesale supplier with a coffee factory and corporate office located in downtown Springfield. The airport store will be the company’s seventh retail location. Dustin and Katie Jackson will operate the airport location under a license agreement with Heroes. The Jacksons have a long history with the airport; since 2002 they’ve operated Jackson Contract Services LLC which provides skycap services at the airport.
“We love gourmet coffee and we love Springfield,” says Katie Jackson. “We're proud to bring a truly premium local coffee to the airport”.
The airport beverage menu will include gourmet coffee, espresso, fruit smoothies, Italian sodas, and root beer on tap from Springfield Brewing Company. Food items will include custard bars from Andy’s Frozen Custard, baked goods from Brown Egg Café, and chocolate from Askinosie Chocolate.
While airport customers enjoy their gourmet coffee they can surf the Internet using the airport’s new and vastly improved Wi-Fi system.
Wi-Fi allows computer users to connect to the Internet wirelessly. The Springfield airport began offering the service for free in 2003. It was one of the first airports in the country to do so.
“Ten years ago the only people using the Wi-Fi were those with bulky laptop computers. And their numbers were few,” says Randy Riley, airport information systems supervisor. “Today it’s completely different. It’s not unusual to have a couple of hundred people connected. A few still use laptops, but the majority use tablets and smart phones. We see whole families who are wired — mom and dad with iPads; kids with iPhones and iPods.” The old Wi-Fi system couldn’t keep up.
The new Wi-Fi keeps up with demand and can even regulate usage. “Suppose someone is hogging the connection by downloading huge files,” says Riley. “When that happens it can slow down everyone else’s connection. Our new Wi-Fi identifies connection hogs and cuts them back. That way everyone is assured a good connection.” And oh yes, airport Wi-Fi is still free.
October 18, 2012:
Allegiant Reaches Passenger Milestone at SGF
Allegiant recently flew its 500,000th customer from the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The half-a-million milestone was reached in May; almost exactly seven years after the low fare airline began flying from Springfield.
“Seven years ago Allegiant began a successful partnership with the Springfield-Branson National Airport by offering area residents low-cost, nonstop flights and complete vacation packages in Las Vegas,” says Andrew Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. “The support of the community has allowed us to expand our service in the area to not only offer great vacation deals in Las Vegas, but also in Orlando, Tampa and St. Pete, Phoenix and L.A. We thank the airport and our customers for their continued support in this region, as this milestone would not have been reached without them.”
“Allegiant has really opened some eyes about the affordability of flying from Springfield,” says Brian Weiler, the airport’s director of aviation. “It’s not unusual to find round trip fare on Allegiant for less than $200. That generally makes Allegiant the lowest fare airline in Springfield. The fact that 25% of the people flying from Springfield use Allegiant makes the point.”
Nationally known aviation analyst Michael Boyd says quality is the key to Allegiant’s success. “Allegiant’s low-cost, high-value travel products have established an industry standard in quality, affordable air service. The carrier’s success at Springfield-Branson is clear proof of the region’s strong economy, and the community’s support of the airport.”
Allegiant’s passenger milestone comes at a time that finds passenger numbers up in Springfield. For the period January thru August, total passenger numbers were up 4.5%. Here’s how that compares with other airports in the region:
| AIRPORT |
TOTAL PASSENGERS (ARRIVING & DEPARTING) January through August, 2012, compared to the same period last year |
| Northwest Arkansas | - 1% |
| Tulsa | + 1.5% |
| St. Louis | + 2% |
| Kansas City | - 1.4% |
| Springfield | + 4.5% |
“So far this year we’ve had an upward trend,” says Weiler, “It’s welcome news — especially since many airports in the country have declining passenger numbers. If the local economy continues improving we’re hopeful the trend will continue.”
August 16, 2012:
“A Sense of Place” fiber arts show to be held at Sky Gallery
The Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) in partnership with the Springfield-Branson National Airport proudly presents “A Sense of Place,” an invitational fiber arts show held at the Sky Gallery in the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The exhibition runs Friday, August 14, 2012 through November 13, 2012.
“A Sense of Place” will feature the works of the following fiber artists:
- Lettie Blackburn
- Rosemary Claus-Gray
- Judith Ferguson
- Carol Penprase
- Pam RuBert
- Suzanne Thomas
The Sky Gallery is a network of display areas within the reception area of the Springfield-Branson National Airport terminal. It is open 24 hours a day and visitors can park for free in the short-term parking lot for up to 30 minutes.
For more information, contact Stephanie Cramer, Director of Programs and Exhibitions, by phone at 417-862-2787(ARTS) or by e-mail at Stephanie at SpringfieldArts.org. You may also log on to www.SpringfieldArts.org.
August 7, 2012:
New Airport Website Emphasizes Customer Service
This week the Springfield airport unveils a new website that aims to make flying from Springfield as easy as possible.
“Our new website strives to improve the customer service experience,” says Kent Boyd, airport marketing director. How can an airport website improve the flying experience? Boyd says the site addresses one of the biggest frustrations facing the flying public: finding timely, accurate information about the airlines.
“Let’s face it. Getting airline information is difficult,” says Boyd. “Even finding a phone number is a chore. The same goes for figuring out airline schedules and booking a flight. The new airport website puts all that sort of information in one place — no more than one mouse click away.”
The front page of the new site (www.flyspringfield.com) puts the most requested information front and center. That includes airline contact information, flight arrival and departure times, and flight booking information. The airport’s social media information is also there, so customers can easily connect to the airport’s information resources on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and the airport blog.
Boyd says the new site is mobile friendly. “When customers visit the site on a smart phone they’ll get a scaled down version that loads quickly, and is easy to navigate with a small screen.”
The biggest convenience offered by the site is the online booking system. “We call it Flight Booker,” says Boyd. “While it’s not unlike services offered by online travel companies, there is a major difference. Our system is run by Great Southern Travel.”
Great Southern has several offices in Springfield, including one in the airport lobby. “If someone books a flight on the airport website, they have instant access to Great Southern’s airport staff,” says Boyd.
“Suppose you miss your flight from Springfield — all you have to do is go to Great Southern’s airport office and they’ll rebook you, often quicker than an airline could do it. I dare say there aren’t many airports in the country that have that kind of customer service resource available.”
June 16, 2012:
Southwest Missouri Foreign Trade Zone Expands
The Springfield-Branson National Airport will officially expand the Southwest Missouri Foreign Trade Zone (SWMo FTZ) to include a company in Neosho, Mo., Jarden Consumer Solutions. The airport and Jarden will complete the final paper work on Thursday, June 21, at the monthly meeting of the airport board of directors. Media are invited to attend a brief ceremony.
WHEN: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Springfield-Branson National Airport, 2300 N. Airport Blvd. Springfield, Missouri, in the airport Board Room.
PARKING: Park in the shuttle/bus parking lot at the passenger terminal. Enter the terminal through the glass doors located in the middle of the terminal, with a long, covered sidewalk. Come in those doors; the Board Room is immediately on the right.
What is a Foreign Trade Zone?
A foreign trade zone (FTZ) is a geographic area inside the United States where overseas goods have the status of being “outside the country.” Goods entering the FTZ are not charged import taxes. FTZs are created by the U.S. Department of Commerce to help U.S. companies compete in the world market place.
Example: suppose a Springfield company wants to sell fishing rods, with reels, in Canada. The fishing rods are brought to the FTZ from overseas. The reels, which are made in the United States, are also brought to the FTZ. The rods and reels are packaged together, inside the FTZ, and then shipped to Canada. Since everything happened inside the FTZ, the company doesn’t have to pay import taxes on the rods. If the company intended to sell the assembled product inside the United States, it wouldn’t have to pay taxes until the product leaves the FTZ. In essence, a manufacturing opportunity, and the jobs that go with it, was made possible by the existence of the FTZ.
Historically, FTZs have had two limitations: 1) when companies applied to use an FTZ, the Department of Commerce application process took more than a year to complete. Companies often found it impractical to wait that long. 2) FTZs have historically been limited to very small geographic areas. In the case of the SWMo FTZ, which was formed in 1997, the geographic area was limited to one building at the Springfield airport.
Now, thanks to a new, streamlined procedure, the Department of Commerce takes about 90 days to process an FTZ application. Additionally, the geographic area of the FTZ is no longer limited to the airport. FTZ “sub zones” can now be established in 23 Southwest Missouri counties: Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, and Wright.
Jarden Consumer Solutions is the first company to take advantage of the new sub-zone feature. The company is a major importer/exporter and employs over 13,000 people in 11 countries. Its well-known brands include Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, Oster, and Sunbeam. The company’s Neosho facility has 1.85 million square feet and employs more than 300 people. They do light assembly of Jarden products, as well as retail distribution. 80% of the Neosho facility will have sub-zone status.
The airport hopes the ability to set up sub-zones will make the FTZ a more attractive option for even more southwest Missouri companies.
“Missouri companies are in direct competition with overseas companies,” says Brian Weiler, airport director. “Competition with those companies often makes it difficult to make a profit. We view the FTZ as another tool in the economic development tool box — its tax advantages could make the difference between company growth, stagnation, or going out of business. Ultimately, the FTZ could help Southwest Missouri companies grow and add jobs.”
The airport is working with the Missouri Department of Economic Development; the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce on a study to identify other businesses, shippers and manufactures that could benefit from using the FTZ.
Jarden and airport officials will complete final paperwork on Thursday, June 21, at the monthly meeting of the airport board of directors. The meeting starts at 8:00 a.m. Media covering the event are encouraged to arrive shortly before the meeting starts.
May 25, 2012:
"Big Show" Comes to the Sky Gallery
The Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) in partnership with the Springfield-Branson National Airport proudly presents “The Big Show” at the Sky Gallery. The exhibition runs now through Monday, August 13, 2012.
Participating artists were selected from the SRAC online Artist Registry by the SRAC Visual Arts Committee. All work is over 40 inches in size. Artists participating are: Kat Allie, Dale Augustson, Elizabeth Chapman, Alicia Farris, Daniel Flodin, Sherry Haney, Bill Horst, Susan Neese, Teri Pearman, John Payne, Lena Quagliato, Jon Henry Thompson, and Frank Young.
The Sky Gallery is a network of display areas within the reception area of the Springfield-Branson National Airport terminal. It is open 24 hours a day and visitors can park for free in the short-term parking lot for up to 30 minutes.
May 16, 2012:
Airport Holds Tri-Annual Disaster Drill
On May 23 the airport holds its tri-annual disaster drill. Media are invited to attend. The drill should be particularly visual this year.
Normally these drills work like this: firefighters and medical crews respond to a reported plane crash. When they get to the scene they find plane parts strewn about, and actors with mock injuries. There is no smoldering fuselage, no fire. When it comes to realism, the exercise falls short.
This year realism gets a boost: there’s going to be a mock airplane, and it’s going to be on fire (like the one in the attached photo). Airport firefighters, along with crews from the Willard, and Springfield fire departments, will respond to the scene. Firefighters will have to put the fire out and then search the plane. Actors will be scattered about portraying injured and deceased passengers. Ambulances will come from Cox and Mercy hospitals.
In a real disaster the biggest challenge for emergency responders is typically communication and working together. Disaster drills help work these issues out. The Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to have these drills. If the airport didn’t do them, it would lose its certification to provide air passenger service.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
Moulage (the applying of makeup to resemble injuries; makes for good visuals) begins at 10:00 am. The “crash” occurs at Noon. The drill is expected to last about two hours.
WHERE: The old airport terminal, located at 5000 West Kearney, Springfield.
PARKING: enter the horseshoe drive of the old terminal. Drive to the south end of the building. Parking will be reserved for media, immediately in front of the old bus transfer shed. Red cones will mark the parking area.
May 4, 2012:
Airport Aces Safety Inspection for 7th Consecutive Year
For the seventh consecutive year the Springfield-Branson National Airport has received a “discrepancy free” safety inspection from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airports that have scheduled airline service are inspected every year by the FAA for compliance with federal aviation safety rules.
“Just one discrepancy free inspection is an accomplishment in itself,” says Shawn Schroder, the airport’s assistant director of aviation for operations. “To do it seven years in a row is a tremendous achievement. It shows that safety is engrained in our airport’s culture.”
Earlier this month an FAA inspector spent three days in Springfield reviewing the following:
- Airfield security
- The airport’s emergency plan
- Training of airport employees
- Response times of the airport fire department during emergency drills
- Runway and taxiway safety
- Aircraft fuel truck safety
- Wildlife control
Passing the yearly safety inspection requires a lot of effort from airport team members. That effort goes on 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. “I’m proud of everyone involved,” says Schroeder. “Rest assured that we’re doing our best to provide the flying public with the safest airport possible.”
