By Paul MacLellan Captain, Flight 60
COPA assisted the local COPA Flight, headed by Capt. Paul MacLellan, in preparation for discussions with the HIA. Armed with such information as COPA’s study of the impact of landing fees on traffic at Hamilton Airport in 1998, the Flight representatives met with airport officials and Paul provided the following report. This dialogue is an example of the importance and value of our network of COPA Flights.
Arthur Van Maurik arranged the meeting and I, along with Uli
Huber, met with Joyce Carter, VP Finance and Jerry Staples, Manager, Business
Development. Our objective was to have HIAA eliminate the landing fee or at
least postpone it until they have time to consider the issues as we presented
them.
While we were assured that the fees were in effect as of September 1, 2002, they
agreed to consider the following points:
a) The classification of aircraft for the fee structure may be too broad. They
have agreed to consider a classification in the under 3000kg category, which may
not warrant a landing fee levy due to the minuscule net return.
b) The revenue to HIAA for this increased fee is about $100,000. per year, which
is quite significant. However, the portion of this, for the under 3000kg
category, may indeed be very small. HIAA agreed to look into this.
c) They recognized that the fees may well result in loss of revenue for other
airport operations (taxi, car rentals, hotels, meals, fuel, aviation shop,
maintenance, etc.). Based on the experience at Hamilton airport, they agreed to
look into the net gain of the landing fee revenue against potential net loss of
on site business.
d) Rather than discouraging small aircraft from coming to HIAA, we asked that
management consider a change in strategy and encourage small aircraft to visit
by dropping the fee and adopting a policy of being friendly to small aircraft.
The issue of traffic mix and space on the ramps is a concern, but recent
expansion may open some opportunities here. HIAA indicated that they are working
on a Master Plan strategy which will be ready in January and would consider the
above as a possible strategy.
e) If a general policy of eliminating the landing fees for small aircraft cannot
be achieved, we asked that it at least be reduced in line with other comparable
airports across Canada. Further, we asked that special consideration be given to
local aircraft. For example, flying an aircraft from Shearwater to Halifax to
have a radio repaired should not attract an additional $25. fee. Also, an annual
fee for frequent uses of the airport should be an alternative. Say three times
the annual landing fee. Again, no promises, but these ideas were seen to have
some merit and would be considered. HIAA pointed out that administration of such
a structure would be difficult.
f) Another idea HIAA was asked to consider was to add say 1˘ per litre of fuel
purchased by itinerant aircraft. Not surprisingly, they had already considered
this and felt in inappropriate.
They pointed out they were already the third costliest airport in Canada and
they are trying to reduce this on an individual basis until they are more in
line with other airports.
There appears to be some confusion in what fees will actually be charged. Mr.
Milley indicated that there would be no fee for touch and go landings. In our
meeting, it was clearly stated that touch and goes would be charged at 20% of
the normal landing rate per touch and go. Hopefully, the former will be the
case. Discussions continue.