Welcome to the premier edition of Airport Report online, the monthly community newsletter of the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. Each month, Airport Report will contain information about Airport news and events, changes in air service, Master Plan projects and many other issues of interest to the community. Pass on your feedback at any time via email to airportreport@sjc.org. If you no longer wish to receive Airport Report, please see the unsubscribe instructions at the end of this newsletter.

U.S. Congressman Mike Honda and San José Mayor Ron Gonzales formed the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology earlier this year, charging 18 technology, security, business, and aviation experts from Silicon Valley with identifying and evaluating technology-driven solutions that will improve the security and efficiency of national and local aviation. The Blue Ribbon Task Force, led by Chair John W. Thompson, CEO of Symantec Corporation, reviewed current and emerging technologies to enhance the security and passenger convenience of air travel.

The task force was given 100 days to develop recommendations regarding existing and emerging technologies that can upgrade systems for passenger identification, baggage screening, airfield and cockpit security, explosive detection and other security concerns. Look for a report on the recommendations put together by the Blue Ribbon Task Force in next month’s Airport Report.

Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology:

On Tuesday, April 2, 2002, Mineta San José International Airport closed Runway 30 Left/12 Right for 6 months for a $40 million reconstruction project that will enhance safety and improve the longevity of the Airport’s first commercial runway. Runway 30 Left is scheduled to reopen on October 1.

Runway 30 Left is currently 10,200 feet in length, and consists of 8,900 feet of asphalt with concrete at each end. The asphalt portion is being reconstructed with sixteen inches of new concrete pavement on a new two inch asphalt base. In 2003, the runway will be lengthened to 11,000 feet.

Once reopened, Runway 30 Left will be the primary runway for arrivals and Runway 30 Right the primary runway for departures. Simultaneous operations on both runways are not possible, but air carriers will utilize the two parallel runways at staggered intervals, reducing peak period delays, ground taxi time and aircraft idling.

Airport Customer Service, in partnership with the San José Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), began construction on two new traveler information booths in May. Completion is expected in July. The new booths will provide enhanced visibility for information booths to more effectively serve Airport customers. The remodel will feature a high tech look, with chrome framing, computers, fax machines and printers plus a dramatic custom back drop in each booth.

Under the leadership of a new Host Volunteer manager, NaTishia Bracy, the volunteers will also receive new uniforms and additional training on computers and terminal amenities. In addition, host volunteers will work in pairs on all scheduled shifts. Currently, over 160 active Host volunteers staff the Airport information booths, responding to more than 13,000 inquiries each month.

The Airport employee Customer Service Ambassador Program is also being transformed to better serve Airport customers. The new program allows staff to focus on assisting customers, as line control functions have been contracted to an outside vendor. Employee ambassadors will now spend their time answering questions, providing directions and securing other needed assistance for passengers. Ambassadors will also have a more professional look, with new blue vests featuring the Airport logo.

An additional element of the Customer Service effort was added on June 3 when a new company was contracted by the Airport to facilitate movement of security and ticketing lines in Terminal A. Look for the friendly “Terminal Support Staff” in black slacks and yellow polo shirts, with the Airport logo.

Passenger numbers peaked over the long Memorial Day weekend, as approximately 200,000 travelers passed through the terminals at Mineta San José International between Friday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 28. Totals exceeded 43,000 on Friday, May 24, the busiest travel day of the weekend. Memorial Day activity represented the busiest travel period the Airport has seen since last September.

Mineta San José International had 240 daily nonstop flights prior to September 11, but felt the impacts of the decline in aviation nationwide acutely, reporting just 190 daily flights as of October 1, 2001. The current daily nonstop flight count stands at 200, as carriers are slowly adding back flights according to market demands. Some airlines are supplementing service to popular destinations using smaller, 50 passenger regional jets, the most cost effective way for carriers to continue to offer service to a particular market and offer increased frequency.

A complete schedule of all flights operating in and out of San José is now available at www.sjc.org. The flight guide, updated monthly, is offered as a downloadable PDF file on the Airlines and Flights page, under What’s New.

The new interim International Arrivals Facility, just south of Terminal A, is nearing completion, with a late summer opening date expected. The 70,000 square-foot U.S. Customs building has three aircraft gates to accommodate two international arrivals and one domestic arrival simultaneously. The new building will replace the interim modular structure located at the south end of the Airport, better serving customers by eliminating the need to bus international passengers to and from a remote facility.

The new facility will house several government offices, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Amenities will include a meeter/greeter area in front of the building, a waiting area for departing passengers, duty free shops, food and beverage concessions and an airline club lounge for premium and first class passengers.

The Interim International Arrivals Facility project cost of $45 million has been funded primarily from Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) and Airport Rates and Charges. No local taxes are being used to fund this project.

The Airport has increased the number of homes eligible for the Acoustical Treatment Program (ACT). The FAA approved the Airport’s application to apply $53 million in project funds to be collected from Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) to the ACT Program, and the San José City Council approved the Airport’s proposal in April. The Airport sought this authorization to extend treatment to up to approximately 1,100 homes in San José’s Guadalupe Washington neighborhood, located south of downtown. In September of 2001, the Airport initiated assessments of 300 homes in the Guadalupe Washington area. Construction is expected to begin by November 2002.

“The Washington Community appreciates the response from the Airport for the pending acoustical treatment program. The recent funding approval that will treat hundreds of homes and three schools will go far in the revitalization of our neighborhood,” Autumn Gutierrez, President, Washington Area Community Coalition, said.

The Airport is committed to minimizing the impact of noise on the community. The Airport’s goal is to improve the living condition for people who live near the Airport. The Acoustical Treatment Program (ACT) works with property owners to offer sound insulation at no cost. It is considered one of the most highly recognized programs in the country for providing a successful reduction in noise. To date, nearly 1,400 homes have been treated with acoustic windows, doors and air conditioning.

In order for the Airport to move forward with treating more homes in the noise impact areas, the FAA must first approve the new Noise Exposure Map. The FAA is expected to take about 6 months to approve the map. By the end of the year, the Airport will submit another proposal that will include additional Proposed Treatment Areas.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently released a new list of items not permitted aboard airplanes in carry-on luggage. Common items such as nail files, nail clippers and tweezers are now allowed on board. Other revisions to the list are available on the TSA’s web site, linked on the home page under What’s New at www.sjc.org.

Additional interim measures are being considered to streamline the passenger security screening process and reduce wait times. The Airport is working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to implement process improvements at security checkpoints to ease passengers through the security process. These improvements are based on intensive site surveys at the Airport conducted by the TSA in May and June.

Another TSA team is working with Airport staff to come up with options to meet the new federal baggage screening requirements. The federal Aviation Transportation and Security Act requires 100 percent of baggage be screened for explosives by December 31, 2002. Given the severe facility limitations at SJC, the challenge to meet the requirements while balancing customer service needs is significant. Look for updates in future editions of Airport Report.

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

e-mail: airportreport@sjc.org
Phone: 408.501.0979
Fax: 408.573.1676
Airport Area Radio Station: 530 AM