Says St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport Is Too Busy
Less than a month into
his new job, Noah Lagos has a problem most business owners would
welcome -- too much growth. Lagos began his tenure as the airport
director for the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
Feb. 16. Since that time he's decided the airport not only can do
better managing its resources but also needs to do it on a more
controlled basis.
With the highest passenger growth rate in Florida and the third
highest in the country, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International
Airport served an estimated 1 million passengers in 2003. Eight
low-cost air carriers offer non-stop service direct from the
airport to 17 destinations throughout the United States and Canada.
At that rate, it is estimated that by the end of the year, St.
Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport will see 1.2 million
passengers pass through its gates. Lagos said that is too many, too
soon.
"This airport has been on a roller coaster ride for the past
year," said Lagos. "In just the first two months of 2004, we've
already enplaned 200,000. I think the airport sells a very defined
product -- convenience. The problem is that we're going through
growing pains and we're not as convenient as we could be."
To deal with the onslaught of passengers, Lagos is working on
two projects that will expand the airport's ticketing areas and
security systems. Both projects are what Largos deemed "low-cost"
ventures. The first involves expanding the airport's main ticketing
and checkpoint area. Lagos feels the current X-ray security
screening machine layout is not econimic, as they are situated in
front of the main ticketing booth, causing both congestion and
delays in the ticketing process. He plans to spend about $300,000
to expand the baggage check-in area behind the counter and to move
the check-in machines behind the rear wall. This project could kick
off within three weeks, he said.
The second project
involves reaching an agreement with the federal TSA. Lagos said the
airport, which currently utilizes only a single checkpoint area,
needs to expand its facility to two stations. However, the TSA
would have to pay for additional machines, and Lagos said he's
still early in negotiations about the project. Partial funding for
one or both of the projects doesn't appear to be an issue. In 2003,
the airport had a working budget of $7.4 million. Its revenue for
the year was $9 million with $2.3 million flowing from non-aviation
revenue generated from industrial operations on airport
property.
"We need to position ourselves to sustain this kind of growth,"
said Lagos. "We want stability, and from there grow
incrementally."
Lagos was selected from a field of more than 50 candidates from
throughout the United States. He returned to the Bay area after
serving a 15-month stint as director of transportation for the City
of Fresno (CA). Unlike his current position where he deals
primarily with the aviation industry, Lagos was responsible for all
aspects of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Chandler
Airport and the Fresno Area Express Public Transit System. Prior to
joining the City of Fresno, Lagos held the post of vice president,
chief operating officer and senior director of aviation for six
years at the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority.
He said his current duties more readily meld to his area of
expertise.
"In Fresno, I was overseeing a busing system, two airports and
an overall transportation system," said Lagos. "That's really too
much for one person to do, and I've told them that. It is my
understanding that my replacement there will focus only on the
aviation aspect, which is the way I think it should be."