Monday, February 22, 2016

JMAA looks to the future, Mayor nominates Stanley to board

Update: Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber nominated Ward 7 resident James Stanley to the Board of Commissioners.  The nomination is on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the City Council.

Jackson Municipal Airport Authority CEO Carl Neman provided a glimpse of the future for Jackson's two airports at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners last week.  A strategic improvement plan was presented. The draft of the plan was not made available to the media or public last week but it was presented to the board.   JJ videotaped the presentation.  The camera is focused on the screen that was used to show the powerpoint presentation.  




The SWOT analysis (8:00 in video) stated:

Strengths
*Airport owns plenty of land that is ripe for development.
*Good location. The airport is at the center of the state.
*Airport has service from all three networked carriers.
*No competition from parking lots not owned by the airport. Parking revenue is strong.
*Relationship with military

Weaknesses
*The roundabout and "landside access"
*Concessions are viewed as being "very poor". The airport needs to improve concessions offerings and service.
*Majority of concessions is on the pre-security screening sides of the terminal. There is very little offered to passengers once they pass through TSA screening.
*Human resources
*Lack of a lower-cost carrier
*Access from interestate
*No hotel at the airport.  

Opportunities
 Medical corridor and cargo flights

Threats
*Aging infrastructure
*Proximity to Memphis and New Orleans airports.
*Airline consolidation.  Mr. Newman said an oligopoly currently existed in Jackson among the air carriers.  They can dictate rates and service with little competition.
*Need to improve service and fares
*The two airports are viewed as disconnected from Jackson

The Mayors of all cities in the tri-county area were interviewed as well. The plan presents five priority projects that will improve the airport:

*improve airport lodging.  JMAA is seeking to build a hotel on airport property.
*Improve concessions and terminals
*Build a quick turnaround facility for rental car firms in front of terminal.
*Improvements at Hawkins Field
*East Metro Parkway Development

JJ will post the strategic plan when it becomes available. 

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonder what qualifications James Stanley has to be on the Airport Commission?

PittPanther said...

If Rankin County were in charge, all of these weaknesses and threats would go away.

(eyeroll)

Anonymous said...

What's the bio of Mr Stanley?

Anonymous said...

Pretty solid SWOT analysis. Who could argue with most of that.

Anonymous said...

Bulls eye on the concessions past the security check point. They could sell a lot of food to all the people that get to the gate an hour before boarding. And they would have happier travelers. But that isn't something that went wrong when the blacks took over, it was messed up many years ago.

Anonymous said...

Hotel isn't needed at the airport.

Anonymous said...

KF who is Stanley supposed to be replacing? its a 5 member board right?...

Anonymous said...

I agree with 1:56, I don't see the need for a hotel at the airport. The vending options could definitely use an upgrade.

Anonymous said...

They got the right CEO thats for sure. Now change the board so that Jackson vendors don't get all the work.

Anonymous said...

Can this man Stanley read? If so, he probably will not be confirmed.

Anonymous said...

A hotel at the airport is absolutely needed. The closest real option now requires a cab ride to Dogwood. A cab ride to anywhere in the Jackson metro is automatically a weakness. Perhaps Uber cures this, but it's currently aptly cited as a weakness of the airport.

Anonymous said...

is stanley white?

Anonymous said...

Who did the "Plan" and what did it cost? What I see is worth about $5000 max. Not bad but very simple and basic.

Anonymous said...

The entire terminal needs to be redesigned with traveler efficiency, comfort and convenience in mind.

There should be one security checkpoint (four lanes and REAL PreCheck) allowing access to both concourses, then you could have your choice of concessions, or you could just chug your Starbucks. This also allows TSA to make the best use of their staff and surge assets during busy times.

Rental car operations should be moved to their existing lot locations away from the terminal and be accessed by shuttle. Most of the parking spaces for rental cars sit empty which costs the airport valuable revenue.

There need to be more outlets to charge devices, and the "business center" is a joke. Steel stools and a power strip do not a business center make.

Does the airport need to operate two concourses? If I'm not mistaken there are nine gates - when was the last time you saw nine airplanes at the airport at any one time?

Restrooms need a serious upgrade; they are dark and filthy.

Parking needs to be rethought, either add another deck or extend the existing decks for more covered parking. Nobody wants to come back to a 200 degree car or one destroyed by hail.

And finally, either renew/reissue passes for the East lot, or do something else with it as it sits largely empty. I know that this has probably become a friends and family lot for board members, but for those on Gov travel with a valid need, this represents a big savings for those agencies with staff who travel frequently.

JMAA - Quit bitching about being "attacked" and either step up, or step off and let some real pros run the airport.

Anonymous said...

3:27 - correct, I bet the flight crews, GA pilots would love to have something on site, and the hookers would have a new captive audience...

Anonymous said...

Sheesh. Start a hotel shuttle bus route. Would be way more cost effective than wasting money on a airport hotel especially since so many other capital investments are needed for the airport itself. People are not choosing to avoid the use of JAN because it doesn't have an airport hotel. Give us a break. The idea that a cab ride to hotels at basically the north end of the field is some sort of impediment is nothing but a weak ass red herring.

Anonymous said...

4:03 - sheesh is right, but shouldn't the bold new city with soul have an airport hotel with a cheesy lounge? 99% of hipsters would agree.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure a hotel chain like a Hilton brand would jump at the chance to build at the airport.

Just Passin' Thru said...

You don't need a cab ride to Dogwood. There are several motels due south of the airport not two miles away. And a Waffle House.

Who in the name of Cooter's Blind Goat would think we need a motel at this airport? I guess Mr. Patel will have to get somebody named Donte or Latwon to claim part ownership in order to satisfy the minority management/ownership requirement.

Anonymous said...

Strategic? It is very concerning when the SWOT analysis involves economic development aimed at monopoly and a lack of experience of economic development on the board.

This is unfortunate and, quite frankly, embarrassing. No wonder I want out. Don't care if it is Madison (I'm not retired), Rankin (Room for Growth), or Jackson (HELL NO); Mississippi has solidified my belief no one wants this Great State to succeed - even those that live here.

Basic. Sad. Ripe for failure.

Rant over.

KaptKangaroo said...

Um, um, um, um. Um. Ummm Um. Um. Strengths. Um, um. Um, um. Parking. Um, um, um, um.

Anonymous said...

Newman's comments about parking told entrepreneurs that JMAA has low hanging fruit to be picked. Big mistake.

Obama Skreet said...

Here's what is needed. With all this talk about space travel, Jackson needs to get to the forefront and build a spaceport. Then all those rich, white people would come here and spend money at our local establishment (like Black Diamonds) while waiting to go into outer space. Then we could build a four star minority owned hotel at the new spaceport, with a monorail between it and the convention center. That would really boost downtown when those seventeen blues clubs open on Farish Street.

Just throw money at it, build it, and people will magically come!

Don't Need Nunna You All Up In Here said...

Can't find a thing about Stanley's appointment on Google. The airport website says the board consists of seven but there are apparently only five seated, maybe six now, all black.

Meanwhile, this, from the website:

JMAA’s Vision

The Vision of JMAA and its employees is to provide exemplary transportation services and facilities at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Hawkins Field, and thereby be a catalyst for community and economic development

JMAA’s Mission

The Mission of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority is to operate Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and Hawkins Field, and thereby connect its patrons to the worldwide intermodal transportation network.

JMAA’s Core Values

Accountability
Continuous Learning & Improvement
Teamwork
Integrity
Openness & Trust
Non-Stop Customer Service

Anonymous said...

Here's a James Stanley, meteorologist in Jackson from his Twitter account. Says he loves Jesus, drumming, dancing and weather. No mention of airplanes or weather he lives in a downtown loft.

https://twitter.com/jamesthemanstan

Anonymous said...

People don't want to come to Jackson because: It's in Mississippi....and those that aren't blinded because they live there knows what it means.

Anonymous said...

Stanley is a Rotarian, Episcopalian, Vietnam Vet jet fighter pilot...stand up guy...

Anonymous said...

So somehow you think we'll be impressed that he's an Episcopalian?

Anonymous said...

I keep hearing the blacks call for diversity.
Somehow a black only group is alright.

Anonymous said...

Diversity means I want what is your.

Anonymous said...

A stand-up Rotarian. Shit-Amighty!



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