CEO Corner Lester Robinson

Airport’s ‘plan’ looks beyond current travel climate

With the war in Iraq now upon us, many of the recent industry speculations of reduced air travel demand, additional airline layoffs and flight reductions are now becoming evident.

Recently, Northwest Airlines, hub carrier at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, announced it was reducing its system-wide flight schedule by 12 percent, and its overall staffing level by approximately 4,900 employees.

Other airlines announced similar cutbacks, citing an apparent drop in passenger demand due to both the commencement of military action in Iraq and a struggling economy, even prior to the war.

What people oftentimes forget, however, is despite a temporary reduction in air travel demand due to the war and current economic conditions, the air transportation industry, long-term, is still in a growth mode.

In year 2000, our nation’s airports served approximately 670 million passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that number will grow to over 1 billion passengers within the next 10 or 11 years. That’s an increase of approximately 50 percent.

During the Gulf War in 1991, the industry experienced a similar reduction in air travel demand. In 1992, Metro came back with a passenger traffic increase of 8 percent and six more consecutive years of record-breaking air travel demand.

The lesson learned…temporary reductions in air travel demand because of uncertain economic conditions or military conflict, historically have been just that…temporary.

And while there is no doubt that this is one of the most challenging times in history for airlines, airports and the businesses and agencies that work together with these groups, it’s important to remember and take encouragement from what history has shown us in the past.

Due to a tremendous amount of vision, planning and hard work over the last few years, Metro Airport is perhaps better suited than most to meet the future air travel needs of our community. In addition, we are positioned for even greater economic growth because of the long-term investments we have made.

It is also incumbent upon the airport to continue its long-range-planning efforts. So, while we remain deeply conscious of and are sympathetic to the airlines’ current economic situation, we will continue to move forward with future development plans for DTW.

One of the most important future projects for the airport is construction of a new North Terminal complex, to replace the former J.M. Davey Terminal. When complete, the North Terminal will house airlines currently operating out of the antiquated L.C. Smith Terminal. The new facility will have fit and finish equal in quality to the new McNamara Terminal, with shorter walking distances, improved restaurant and retail offerings, and a more modern design.

We will continue to work with our partners, the airlines, in evaluating the best timing and market conditions for moving forward with this and other projects, while doing all we can to keep airport operating costs at a minimum, during the industry’s recovery.

It is also important, however, that we keep an eye on our long-term future, and continue to evaluate how we, as the airport operator, best ensure the future success of DTW, and its ability to provide our customers with a facility in which they can continue to take pride.

Lester Robinson is CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority. His column appears monthly.

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