Airport Promotes Recycling In Its Terminals

In an on-going effort to minimize waste, Mineta San José International Airport has joined forces with the City of San José Environmental Services Division's Recycle @ Work Program.

Over the past few months the Airport has added additional bottle/cans containers, as well as receptacles for paper, waste, and bottles and cans. The new receptacles can be found in concession areas, hold rooms, and near security checkpoints. The goal of the program is to reduce waste disposal and costs.

This collection system will be monitored by the Airport’s Facilities Division, who spear-headed the advancement of this environmentally friendly program.

The City’s Recycle @ Work Program started in 1997 and teaches companies how to increase recycling efficiency and reduce cost. For more information on these and other programs, contact the City’s Environmental Services Department at 408-535-8550 or visit www.sjrecycles.org.

New Food Concession Opens in Terminal C South Concourse

Terminal C’s South Concourse, which houses the boarding gate areas for US Airways, Northwest, jetBlue, Continental, United and Frontier, recently received a new food option.

Until recently, the South Concourse was served only by Noah’s Bagels creating long lines during peak travel times. In an effort to offer passengers a variety in concessions, the Airport’s Properties section teamed with HMS Host to install a temporary food concession kiosk near Gate C-4. The kiosk offers delicious Cinnabon, as well as assorted sandwiches and drinks.

Although only a temporary solution, the kiosk has already helped reduce the lengthy lines at Noah’s, enabling passengers to receive faster service during peak times. A new sit-down bar with food, which will be located just north of the current kiosk, is anticipated to open this summer replacing the kiosk and serving a more permanent need.

Airport Hosts Two Workshops to Assist Business Owners in ACDBE Certification

Mineta San José International Airport is currently developing Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) requirements that will be included as part of the upcoming Food, Beverage and Retail Request for Proposal (RFP). The ACDBE program provides a vehicle for increasing participation by certain businesses deemed by Federal regulations to be “disadvantaged.” Business owners who potentially qualify as an ACDBE certified firm are required to be certified prior to RFP submission.

To assist business owners in the ACDBE certification process, the Airport partnered with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to provide two workshops. The workshops, held on February 7 and 9, explained the ACDBE certification criteria and process, as well as walked business owners through the application. Certification must be acquired through a certifying agency such as VTA—the City of San José is not a certifying agency. Over 80 business owners attended both workshops.

In the interim, business owners interested in being part of the upcoming concession opportunities should continue to contact Prime Operators and Developers who are currently developing programs to bring forth in their RFP submission. A list of Prime Operators and Developers interested in responding to the upcoming RFP is available on the Airport’s website: www.sjc.org/about/retail.html

For ACDBE program information and certification requirements visit the Federal Department of Transportation’s web site at: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov/business/dbe/Whats_DBE_program.cfm

Two Local Youth Groups Visit the Airport

In an ongoing commitment to youth, Mineta San José International Airport and Northwest Airlines hosted two local groups at SJC. The Airport Department hosted the annual Ground Hog Job Shadow Day on February 2. And on February 18, Northwest Airlines hosted a local Boy Scout Troop.

Northwest Airlines
A Morgan Hill Boy Scout Troupe was hosted by Northwest Station Manager Lynne Grobe who gave an educational, "inside look" at the airline's operations at the Airport. Eleven boy scouts took part in the half day event and were provided the opportunity to marshal in an aircraft, unload luggage, visit the flight deck and clean the passenger cabin to prepare it for takeoff. Northwest Airlines also provided lunch for the students. This is the third year Northwest Airlines has sponsored the event.

Ground Hog Job Shadow Day -
On Thursday, February 2, 2006, students all across the country spent the day in various workplaces "shadowing" employees to learn about career opportunities. The same was true in San José. Sponsored by Junior Achievement of Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay, a job shadow event took place for the fifth consecutive year at SJC. Twenty local youth from Lynbrook High School met in the Airport’s Terminal C Conference Room to start the day. The students were welcomed by Aviation Director Bill Sherry who spoke about the economic benefit of the Airport to the Silicon Valley region. The students were given two presentations, one regarding aviation-related careers and the other on the future development plans for the Airport. Students were then paired with Airport employees from different facets of the organization to tour the facility and learn about day-to-day operations first hand. HMS Host provided a welcomed lunch for the teens after a busy morning of learning about the Airport. Overall students were encouraged to excel academically and to engage in further career exploration.

The Airport’s Neighborhood Services Group (ANSG) is available for educational programs and presentations for high school and college students. For more information contact ANSG at 408-501-0979 or communityinput@sjc.org.

Airport Chaplains Honored at City Council Meeting

On February 14, 2006, the Interfaith Chaplaincy, Inc. was honored by the San José City Council with a City Commendation. Mayor Ron Gonzales, Councilmember Chuck Reed and Director of Aviation Bill Sherry presented the commendation to the group for their over 10 years and 5,000 hours of volunteer service at Mineta San José International Airport.

During the development of this all-inclusive interfaith program, the Chaplaincy has maintained a “ministry of presence,” offering assistance, comfort, support, and interfaith religious and counseling resources to passengers, meeters and greeters, airline staff, and Airport tenants. Interfaith Chaplains come from various religious denominations with broad educational backgrounds often including counseling and the humanities. The Airport’s Chaplaincy Program has developed an innovative, nationally recognized program, whereby the use of service/therapy dogs walk the terminals to reach out to those in need.

For more information on the program or to become a volunteer, contact Rev. Dr. Dwight L. Kintner at 408-356-2270 or DLKintner@aol.com.

Airline Roundup

American Airlines Tokyo-San José flight will celebrate 15 years of service on March 2, 2006. The flight has carried more than 1.7 million passengers between Japan and Mineta San José International Airport, and millions of dollars worth of products each week to and from Japan. Banners are up along Airport roadways to celebrate American’s dedication to the Tokyo destination.

San Jose Activity Summary

Passenger Activity

• November 2005: 891,244 passengers (2.1% increase from November 2004)
• December 2005: 861,688 passengers (2.9% decrease from December 2004)
• Calendar Year: 10.76 million passengers (0.2% increase from December 2004)

Cargo Activity (Excluding Mail)

• November 2005: 17.13 million pounds (5.9% decrease from November 2004)
• December 2005: 18.01 million pounds (6.7% decrease from December 2004)
• Calendar Year: 201.52 million pounds (12.6% decrease from December 2004)

Airport Commission
March 6, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Neil Armstrong Conference Room
1732 North First Street, Suite 600, San José

Spring in Guadalupe Gardens
April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Guadalupe River Park, Taylor & Spring Streets, San Jose
For more information, please call (408) 501-0979

For more information on this meeting, or to schedule a meeting for your group, call (408) 501-0979 or send an email to communityinput@sjc.org.

Please send newsletter comments, inquiries and suggestions to:
Mineta San José International Airport
Attention: Airport Report Editor
1732 North First Street, Suite 600
San José, CA 95112-4538

Website: www.sjc.org
Email: airportreport@sjc.org
Phone: 408.501.0979
Fax: 408.573.1676
Airport Area Radio Station: 530 AM