Facebook
founder Mark Zuckerberg wanted to speak Chinese. In addition to his normal
studies, he decided to enlist the aid of a couple of employees who were native
Chinese speakers. He sat with them daily and insisted that, while in his
presence, they only speak in their native tongue. Like anyone trying to learn a
language, Zuckerberg struggled. He implored them to speak simpler. Again they
would speak, again Zuckerberg would struggle to understand and again he would
ask them to simplify the message. This continued several times until he was
finally able to gather a basic understanding of what they were trying to say.
At that point, the speakers had whittled down the message to its most basic
form.
This story
can be equated to the narrative of airports. Just as Zuckerberg insisted his programmers
to speak more simply, maybe, so too, should the airport message be reduced to a
very elementary yet powerful, “Airports are important.”
That is the
theme that we have taken with the September2013 Anniversary Issue of Airport Revenue News. Though ARN
shows its support of airports in each issue throughout the year, it’s the ARN
September edition in which the focus from cover to cover is entirely on the
causes, challenges and triumphs of our industry.
On Page 20,
ARN asked several airport directors to put pen to paper (or in this case
fingers to keyboard) and write about the industry. Thella Bowens of San Diego
International (SAN) writes of her airport’s Green Build. It’s an example of how
an airport developed and improved its offerings for a better traveler
experience, but a key benefit for the community was the 7,000 jobs that were
created over the life of the project. Joe Lopano of Tampa International (TPA)
writes about his efforts to increase flights to and from TPA. Once again, the
message he hammers home is, “Airport passenger numbers positively correlate to
higher economic output, wages and incomes.” David Edwards of
Greenville-Spartanburg International (GSP) gives a state-of-the-industry look
from his seat as the current chairman of Airports Council International-North
America. He writes that “airports need the flexibility to make business
decisions that are in the best interest of their airport and community.”
Andrew
Tellijohn writes about the development at Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)
on Page 8. In this instance, it is the airport that is trying to keep pace with
the growth of its city. As with any major development, the economic impact in
its community and region certainly will be felt.
On Page 36,
Tellijohn details how airports are working to overcome the various airline
mergers that have occurred in recent years. Ricky Smith of Cleveland-Hopkins
International (CLE) is one of several airports to discuss the topic.
Tellijohn
also sits down with former ACI-NA President and CEO Gregory Principato. On Page
60, Principato reflects on his accomplishments during his tenure and the
industry he leaves behind. We wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors.
On Page 44,
Carol Ward reports on an airport’s role in its community. She focuses on
initiatives such as how the airport reaches out to include the community on
business opportunities, generates enthusiasm and interest in aviation through
educational programs, and includes children with special needs on the
experience of going through the airport. These are but a few things about which
Ward writes.
Ward also
speaks with Rosemarie Andolino of the Chicago Aviation Department, which is
described on Page 14. Andolino comments on Chicago O’Hare International’s (ORD)
modernization program, including the much-anticipated concessions request for
proposals.
For those
who do not know, ARN was launched in its current format, coincidentally, on
September 11, 2001. It is somewhat surprising how our fortunes have closely
paralleled that of the industry we serve since that fateful day.
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