News Brief - Kalamazoo | Battle Creek International Airport

News Brief
Winter 2012
5235 Portage Road | Kalamazoo, MI 49002
TAKING OFF
Nothing lifts your
spirits as a region
like being the hub
of activity in the face of
strong economic headwinds.
So, when the Center for Michigan
reported that Kalamazoo
and Battle Creek stood
out over the past decade
as Michigan’s most prosperous
communities, a new airport terminal
made all the sense in the world.
The future is bright in Southwestern
Michigan, thanks to the insightful and
courageous determination of business
leaders, elected officials and citizens who
believed in the dawn of a new day.
Safe. Simple. Convenient.
2012
Summer 2011
New Terminal Continues to Pay Dividends
2012 looks promising as airport leaders pursue new
flight opportunities
Great deals pay great dividends. And that’s
the case with the work that went into the
new ter minal at the K alamazoo/Battle
Creek International Airport (AZO), which
received top honors among all construction/
development projects in the region in 2011 by
Business Review West Michigan magazine.
First and foremost, airport enplanements
increased for the second straight year.
Heading into 2012, airport executives have
a $500,000 g rant in hand to seek direct
flights between AZO and Dallas - Ft. Worth.
Commendations and awards for the work done
on the new terminal have ushered in a new era
of service and success for the facility, which has
served the region since 1926. A new baggage
handling system quickly has helped streamline
the ticketing and boarding process.
Other improvements include free Wi-Fi, more
room for passengers, more gates and more
boarding bridges, virtually eliminating the
need for passengers to load outside. Improved
food and beverage services have also been well
received.
The open, well-lit and airy interior includes art
and airplane memorabilia that has made travel
more enjoyable for passengers. Short- and
long-term parking lots remain close to the new
terminal, with up to 30 minutes of free parking
in the short-term lot. Rental cars are located at
the north end of the parking lot.
Modern communications and passengersupport systems were designed into the new
facility, which also supports future expansion.
Among the most commonly asked questions
is what will happen to the old terminal. That
building contains the current air-traffic control
tower. It will remain in place while the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is building a
new tower on the eastern end of the airport
property. When that tower is completed in
2013, the Aeronautics Board, which governs
the airport, will make a determination what to
do with the old facility. Demolishing the old
terminal is a possibility.
A Message From The Director
By Clifton E. Moshoginis, CM
Airport Director
As our Aeronautics Board and staff work
on issues facing us in 2012 and beyond,
we’re mindful of the incredible regional
support that has allowed us to make the
progress we have made. It wasn’t that
long ago that the idea of building a new
terminal here did not appear possible.
We ’ v e b e e n g i v e n a t r e m e n d o u s
opportunity, thanks to the courage of our
business and governmental leaders. They
found a way to complete this project
without any local tax dollars, and then
they stepped up to help us carve out new
routes and create new flights.
That will be our primary task in 2012, as
we recognize that other airports within
driving distance are worthy competitors.
There are many things we can’t control,
but our staff has taken to heart customer
service, safety and convenience.
Some of that was designed into the new
facility, but we still have to deliver. We’re
especially gratified by the partnership
support we have received from Southwest
Michigan First. They recognize the
role we can play in continued economic
development here.
They know that AZO is critical to major
employers -- such as Stryker, Kellogg,
Eaton, Pfizer and Perrigo -- along with
smaller employers and, increasingly,
leisure travelers. As we work to connect
this region to the world, we look forward
to the opportunity to serve.
Moshoginis, Airport Gain Recognition
Kalamazoo|Battle Creek International
Airport Director Cliff Moshoginis has
been named the Michigan Association of
Airport Executives 2011 Airport Manager
of the Year. He was recognized at the
MAAE’s Annual Fall Meeting in Grand
Rapids, MI. He was recognized for his
leadership and sound decision making
during the construction and transition to
the Airport’s new terminal that opened
April 27. He continued to run the dayto-day operations of the airport while
overseeing the design, construction and
transition necessary to open the new
terminal.
The terminal project is also receiving
national attention in the upcoming issue
of Airport Improvement magazine. The
article highlights many of the innovative
features in the new facility.
“It took a team effort that helped us
complete the project on time and under
budget,” said
Moshoginis of
the honors. “Our
Aeronautics Board
balanced their
roles as responsible
stewards of public
funds while helping
us find solutions to
the many challenges
we faced during the
process.”
Meet the Team at AZO
The New Terminal
At A Glance
• Cost:
$36 million
• Size:
94,787 square feet
Gilbert A. Collver,
Aeronautics Board
Chairperson
James Woodruff,
Aeronautics Board
Vice-Chair
Clifton Moshoginis, CM
Airport Director & Secretary to
the Aeronautics Board
• Opening day:
April 27, 2011
• Annual passengers:
141,000
• Funding:
Bonds, passenger
user fees, FAA
entitlements, FAA
discretionary funds,
state matched funds
• Architect/Designer:
Reynolds, Smith
and Hills
• Mechanical Engineer:
Byce & Associates
LET IT
David Tomko,
Aeronautics Board
John L. Jones, Jr,
Aeronautics Board
SNOW
FLY
William R. Duggan,
Aeronautics Board
Greg Kurdys,
Aeronautics Board
AZO
Daniel Hope,
Aeronautics Board
Nasim Ansari
Kalamazoo County Liaison
Tim Rowgowski
Kalamazoo County Liaison
• Contractor:
Skanska USA Building
• Of Skanska’s 29
subcontractors,
27 were from the
area that the airport
serves.
David Reid
Assistant Director,
Operations &
Maintenance
Ann Simmons
Assistant Director,
Finance &
Administration
Jay Waalkes
Linda Bunting
Airport Operations Administrative Assistant
Supervisor
& Assistant Secretary to
the Aeronautics Board