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To Our Valuable Customers:

Every year during this time, the airport industry begins the process of recruitment of airline services. The process is unique, however, it is a golden opportunity for airports and airlines to meet face-to-face to discuss airline development specifically for their airports. As the Gary Chicago Airport’s recruitment team meets with prospective airlines, we believe it is important to have the thoughts of our regional customers to the following:

- Destinations of interest
- Ground Transportation Opportunities – Shuttle service to and from destinations
- Terminal Amenities – restaurants, copier/fax services, etc.
- Other suggestions

Feel free to submit your thoughts via my blog. We look forward to all of your suggestions.

Comments   Add a Comment                                                                    
 
brandon townsend posted at: 3/3/2009 8:16:06 PM
What's up Chris.. I was wondering if there are any black pilots or organization at your airport.. I live in chicago and I would love to know some other black pilots to fly with and get to know... Thanks for the help...
Prof. William P. Kreml posted at: 3/3/2009 9:11:53 PM
Chris: Any response to my message on service between RDU and Birmingham, AL? My thanks. Prof. William P. Kreml
Chris posted at: 3/16/2009 10:35:23 AM
Brandon, the only organization at the Gary Airport that has a substantial number of black pilots is the Tuskeegee Airman. They normally meet on the second Saturday of each month from 8:00am to approximately noon at the airport.
Harry posted at: 5/13/2009 2:15:58 PM
When was the last time you had a commercial carrier at the airport? Seems it has been a long time.
Chris posted at: 5/18/2009 9:24:30 AM
Harry, the last scheduled commercial carrier was at the airport April 2008.
Chris posted at: 5/21/2009 5:51:16 PM
Professor Kreml, at this time flights to RDU and Birmingham, AL are not high on the priorty list for direct flights. According to our latest data for requested destinations neither is in the top ten. Having said that, it is our priority to provide flights to major hubs. If we are able to accomplish that, then we can provide flights to RDU or Birmingham through a major airline hub.
Harry posted at: 5/28/2009 10:54:41 AM
Just wondering if you were in the bid to win the JetAmerica deal that South Bend acquired.
Chris posted at: 5/28/2009 1:02:44 PM
Harry, we were not part of a bid opportunity to attract the services of JetAmerica. The gentlemen that found this airline is also the same person that found SkyBus. Although he eventually separated ties with SkyBus prior to the Gary Airport operation, the concept of operations remain quite similar. I believe the airport must be cautious moving forward with startup airlines.
Andrew Whitmore posted at: 6/12/2009 5:35:33 PM
Is there any possibility of squeezing a few more feet of runway into the extension? 8900' sounds great, but doesn't 9006' sound better?
eddie posted at: 6/23/2009 7:21:29 AM
Hi , I have not heard from you , we wanted comeback to your airport Sky value for fly to Florida and Arizona we did went there many time , we want stay continue to fly again , i don't know why you has stopped and no comeback , what waste of money for your future , we thought that would be helpful for support gary of city anyway we dont know why anyway .. thanks Eddie ....
Chris posted at: 6/24/2009 4:18:04 PM
Andrew, we would love to add more feet to the runway length but it is not cost effective at this time. The compliance with the Runway Safety Areas, Runway Protection Zone and relocated perimeter road makes it impossible without relocating another Citgo storage tank.
Chris posted at: 6/24/2009 4:21:25 PM
Eddie, SkyValue was a great customer for the airport but eventually went out of business. We would love to have another carrier who would serve the destinations provided by SkyValue. The airport is pursuing other options that would bring commercial flight service back to the airport. Hopefully, that will come sooner than later.
Linda Crouch posted at: 7/6/2009 12:08:14 AM
Hi Chris, Your doing an excellent job, about 5 years ago your were flying to Clearwater,Fl. I used it quite often. Any plans for flying to Fort Myers or Clearwater. The region needs an airport. Please get some more flights. Thanks
Nelson posted at: 7/14/2009 5:57:59 PM
Dear Sir, I just want to thank you for the work you are doing at the Gary Airport. I take photographs of aIrcraft and some of my best shots are at the Gary Airport. If you get a chance check out my pictures at Flickr.com and type in NELNOV. Thank you for your time and great job you are doing for Northwest Indiana. Nelson
Harry posted at: 8/5/2009 4:14:31 PM
Chris the last time I wrote in you stated that you do not want to work with start up airlines. I thought that was fine, but why are you now courting Viza Air which is a start up?
Chris posted at: 8/6/2009 4:12:32 PM
Harry, you are correct. Viza Airlines wants to use the Gary Airport. We are a federally funded airport, therefore we cannot deny their use of the facility if they have passed the requirements of the FAA and DOT. The airport does not intend to commit any funding toward marketing of the airline. They would simply use the airport in the same manner that charters use the airport and pay fees accordingly.
Chris posted at: 8/27/2009 10:26:51 AM
Linda, thanks for your thoughtful comments. The airport has and will continue to pursue commercial carriers to provide direct seasonal services to Florida. As we speak, there is no plan on the table that would lead to a Florida service in the near future. When I say near future, I am referring to anything prior to April 2010. We understand that Florida is a popular destination for our community and we will continue to pursue flights to that area either by direct flights or through a hub connection.
Chris posted at: 8/27/2009 10:32:22 AM
Nelson, thank you for your kind comments.
Charles posted at: 10/15/2009 1:57:13 PM
Chris, I was wondering if there is any chance of your airport fire department hiring? I have 8 years of fire service in the military and Indiana is one of the few states that will accept military certifications.
Chris posted at: 10/22/2009 9:38:45 AM
Charles, the Gary Airport does not hire personnel for the Fire Department. Those individuals are hired by the City of Gary and are then assigned to the airport. I think the time you spent and training in the military would be a great benefit.
Gary Lifer posted at: 2/17/2010 2:50:49 PM
How do you feel about having to return 200k to the state for over payment?
Chris posted at: 2/22/2010 12:45:27 PM
Gary Lifer, that is an issue that we are currently investigating. If it is determined that we owe money because of an overpayment, we will try to pay the amount back. It is my feeling that this would require some type of payment arrangement over time to accomplish repayment.
Airport Fan posted at: 3/6/2010 5:33:21 PM
Hello Chris , I was wondering , there are currently two gates at the airport and there were plans to build a third , if there's a need in the future , how many gates could be added to the current terminal ? Thanks .
Jenner posted at: 3/8/2010 10:15:04 PM
Just a casual airport enthusiast, looking at options for a 3rd Chicago airport. I have some questions. 1. Is the airport eligible for any of the stimulus funds based on "shovel readiness"? 2. Have you courted any cargo carriers? Have you worked with the railroads regarding mutual cargo interests? 3. I know in the other q/a, there were talks for extending 2/20 based on the 2001 master plan. I am kinda curious as to how US 12 would have been moved. This is probably a moot point considering 4). 4. I just read your news regarding hiring Landrum and Brown for a new master plan. Your article mentioned 2009. Was that late 2009 (or early? Could you be more specific. Additionally, how long (typically) would the assessment take?
Chris posted at: 3/10/2010 2:27:17 PM
Jenner, 1. The airport was eligible for funds under the American Recovery and Investment Act. Although our request was much higher, we did receive $1.2M that was used to install higher perimeter fencing at the airport. We completed the project a couple weeks ago. 2. Over the years we have courted several cargo carriers to UPS, FEDEX, DHL, Airborne and Emery. Our attempts were unsuccessful. The main issues associated with those efforts were the length of the runway was not adequate, customers in the area that did not require air cargo services and long term facility contracts located close to the Chicago airports. The airport has not been directly involved with discussing cargo interest with the railroad. It is my understanding that those conversations are ongoing with the City of Gary. We have primarily been focused on the agreement to relocate the railroad tracks. 3. In the long term planning their are several alternatives for US12. Simply put, the highway could be relocated around the planned crosswind runway expansion or changed to an airport access road only. 4. The Landrum and Brown business and strategic plan began in August 2009. It will be available for the public to view the latter part of April 2010. Lori Sloan wrote: > > Jenner (jenner43201@yahoo.com) wrote: > > > Just a casual airport enthusiast, looking at options for a 3rd Chicago airport. I have some questions. > > 1. Is the airport eligible for any of the stimulus funds based on "shovel readiness"? > > 2. Have you courted any cargo carriers? Have you worked with the railroads regarding mutual cargo interests? > > 3. I know in the other q/a, there were talks for extending 2/20 based on the 2001 master plan. I am kinda curious as to how US 12 would have been moved. This is probably a moot point considering 4). > > 4. I just read your news regarding hiring Landrum and Brown for a new master plan. Your article mentioned 2009. Was that late 2009 (or early? Could you be more specific. Additionally, how long (typically) would the assessment take?
Chris posted at: 3/25/2010 9:23:10 AM
Airport Fan, there are two gates at the terminal with jet bridges. If the terminal was expanded to the east of its current position, we can accommodate a third gate with a jet bridge. Thanks



 
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PLEASE NOTE: All blog entries are reviewed prior to posting. The blog response comments posted are those of the public, which may not represent the views of the airport. The airport reserves the right to exclude comments containing obscene language.


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