ATLANTA–()–At the request of the Gwinnett County Citizens Committee, Kinton
Aviation Consulting, a leading consulting firm to the aviation industry,
was asked a series of questions in order to assist the committee in its
efforts to determine long term development options for Gwinnett County
Airport – Briscoe Field. The report by Kinton identified several key
factors that point to success should the redevelopment and subsequent
addition of passenger service be permitted at the County airport,
including: gate constraints at Hartsfield International; potential ease
of use and navigation of a smaller facility, convenience and increased
competition in the Atlanta market providing travelers with more options.
“Our experience in Boston showed that when secondary airports offer
viable alternative service, economic development increases across the
whole region”
Specific findings in the report include:
-
The more gate constrained Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson becomes the more
it limits competition and ease of use for local passengers. -
The capacity constraints of Atlanta will drive the future success of
airports within a 500 mile radius of metro Atlanta. -
Local travelers will utilize an airport that is closer, significantly
less congested, easy and quick to navigate and offers choice. -
Secondary airports probably have a better long term potential if major
airports in the region become gate constrained.
“Our experience in Boston showed that when secondary airports offer
viable alternative service, economic development increases across the
whole region,” said Thomas Kinton, President of Kinton and former head
of Massport, which oversees three airports including Boston Logan as
well as over a dozen critical transportation entities. “With airlines
flying in and out of Providence and Manchester Boston, the greater
Boston area saw more destinations served with direct flights,
competitive pricing and an ease in congestion. We believe the same thing
would happen in Atlanta, which would be great for area residents.”
“Redeveloping Briscoe Field will improve the travel experience for metro
area residents and create a significant amount of local jobs,” said
Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports. “People deserve to finally have
another choice; Atlanta is the only major top 10 metropolitan area in
the United States without a secondary airport. The fact that the region
only has one option negatively impacts Atlanta’s economic
competitiveness and its standing as a world class city.”
About Propeller Airports (www.flybriscoe.com)
Propeller Airports pursues opportunities to invest in airports in the US
and abroad through privatization. Its investment strategy involves
privatizing airports, improving landside and airside facilities,
expanding/returning commercial passenger aviation to the airports,
revitalizing hangars to attract additional general aviation assets and
developing ancillary and surrounding property for commercial use.
About Propeller Investments (www.propellerinvestments.com)
Propeller Investments is a private equity firm focused on pursuing
opportunities in the Aerospace Transportation sectors. Using an
experienced based methodology to identify and understand emerging
investment opportunities is Propeller’s core competency. The firm’s team
has extensive operating and investment banking knowledge, as well as an
understanding of the global aerospace and transportation industry, which
allows us to provide unique insight that enhances the investment
decision-making process.
The Propeller team of proven professionals has a proactive approach to
finding driven entrepreneurs and compelling businesses that have the
potential to create substantial returns. We take a value-added approach
to investing in infrastructure, concept leading operating companies with
definitive and industry leading concepts, as well as service and
concession ventures in our core market sector.
Propeller’s executive headquarters are located in New York with offices
in Dublin and Atlanta.
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