DATE: March 3, 2016
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Super Bowl 50 Operations at Hayward Executive Airport
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
That Council accepts this report as information only; no action is necessary.
Body
BACKGROUND
Super Bowl 50 was held on February 7, 2016 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. This event impacted all of the airports in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Hayward Executive Airport (HWD). Based on the air traffic volume experienced for Super Bowl 49 in Phoenix, Arizona, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecast the arrival of up to 1,200 corporate jets in the Bay Area between Thursday, February 4 and Sunday, February 7.
Aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), including virtually all of the corporate jets visiting the area, were required to have an advance arrival and departure reservation to gain access to any of the Bay Area airports. The FAA allocated a certain number of reservations for each airport and Hayward was originally assigned two arrival and two departure reservations per hour. After intervention by staff and local FAA officials, the number of reservations for Hayward was later increased to three arrivals and four departures per hour. In addition, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) similar to those used for presidential visits were in effect to restrict airspace over downtown San Francisco and near Levi stadium during the game.
DISCUSSION
Preparations
Staff began planning for this event in June 2015. Aircraft parking capacity was an important consideration and it was determined that up to 120 corporate jets could be parked at the airport if all available space was utilized, including one runway, a taxiway, and an aircraft parking apron on the former California Air National Guard (CANG) site. The Green Transient ramp was also dedicated for use during the event, requiring the temporary relocation of tenants normally parked there.
Due to the anticipated arrival of VIP passengers and the high monetary value of corporate jets, security was a key consideration. Staff worked closely with the Hayward Police Department (HPD) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create and implement a security plan for the event. The Hayward Fire Department provided 24-hour Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) capability during the event.
Based commercial tenant APP Jet Center (APP) was responsible for all fueling and customer service activities on a 24-hour basis. APP leased additional fuel trucks and other equipment and brought in personnel from their locations in Virginia and Florida to meet demand. A reception center was created that included an elaborate tent and canopy leading to a corporate hangar that was renovated with high end furniture, new interior lighting, and catering to present a welcoming environment for pilots and their passengers. This was a significant undertaking and staff commends the management and staff of APP Jet Center for their dedication and performance during the entire event.
Staff also worked closely with the FAA and attended numerous meetings to determine the best aircraft parking arrangements, create safety protocols, and implement the aircraft reservations system. The Hayward Air Traffic Control Tower extended their hours of operation to meet demand on Sunday night, February 7.
Performance
Air traffic for Super Bowl 50 was less than that experienced during Super Bowl 49 in Phoenix, Arizona. The FAA anticipated 1,200 aircraft arriving in the Bay Area but initial indications are that approximately 700 actually arrived. This reduction in traffic may be as a result of the particular teams playing, the number of corporate aircraft in their respective cities, and fan interest in the game.
APP reports that a total of 110 aircraft were serviced during the entire event at HWD. While Hayward could accommodate up to 120 parked aircraft at one time, fifty aircraft were parked during the peak time on Sunday night, February 7. Approximately forty percent of the aircraft arriving at HWD dropped passengers and then departed. As a result, it was not necessary to park aircraft on a runway and other remote locations on the airport, but the space was available if needed.
APP Jet Center reports that approximately 50,000 gallons of jet fuel were sold during the entire event. They operated on a 24-hour basis during the busiest period.
A total of thirteen noise complaints were received related to Super Bowl 50 air traffic. Staff investigated each one and successfully contacted almost all of the individuals registering the complaints. It was determined that two of the aircraft exceeded the standards set in the airport noise ordinance and staff contacted the aircraft owners to avoid a reoccurrence. Further action can be taken if necessary.
HPD staff was on hand during the four busiest days of the event as planned. Security was maintained and there were no breaches of the Airport Operations Area and no serious incidents. The HFD maintained 24-hour ARFF readiness and was not required to respond to any aircraft incidents or accidents during the event. As always, HPD and HFD staff conducted themselves with utmost professionalism and cooperation.
Despite advance notification by staff, one commercial tenant and one individual tenant expressed their displeasure with the restriction of “touch-and-go” takeoffs and landings and practice instrument approaches during the four busiest days of the event. They were informed these restrictions were enacted for safety reasons by the FAA and they were encouraged to contact the FAA directly for further information.
Both the airport and City received good publicity in advance of, and during, Super Bowl 50. In coordination with City Media & Communications Officer, Frank Holland, television stations KTVU, KPIX, KGO and KNTV visited the airport and broadcast positive stories about our Super Bowl preparations and the increased air traffic. APP Jet Center was also very active in arranging media coverage. KTVU did two stories and KPIX did a live report from the airport for the 6:00 pm newscast. Stories were also run in the San Francisco Chronicle and other publications. Hayward Executive Airport was the only general aviation airport in the Bay Area to receive this level of coverage.
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL IMPACT
Super Bowl 50 increased revenue through the sale of 50,000 gallons of jet fuel. Under the terms of the lease with APP Jet Center, the airport receives a fee equal to $0.05 cents per gallon of fuel sold, or three percent of gross fuel sales, whichever is greater. While the final fuel flow figures will not be submitted by APP Jet Center for some time, based on the published retail price for jet fuel, staff estimates revenue to the City of approximately $6,000. When the final costs for security and overtime are tallied, they are expected to exceed this amount of revenue. APP Jet Center also incurred significant costs and it is not known by staff how financially profitable it was for the company.
Passengers arriving at Hayward Executive Airport during Super Bowl 50 included high net worth individuals, celebrities, athletes, and other VIPs. In addition to the money spent at the airport, these visitors used local ground transportation companies, patronized area restaurants, and stayed in area hotels. Staff received positive comments about the customer service they received from APP Jet Center, and in the final analysis it is this exposure to new customers and the opportunity for repeat business that may provide the most lasting financial benefit.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Presentations regarding Super Bowl 50 were made to the Council Airport Committee (CAC) at regularly scheduled meetings on October 22, 2015 and on January 28, 2016. Presentations included information on the event itself, the proposed FAA aircraft reservation system, the proposed aircraft parking plan, fiscal impact, and public contact. Staff provided information about Super Bowl 50 and operational changes to based tenants and transient aircraft operators well in advance. Information was published twice in the airport’s quarterly newsletter and a briefing for airport tenants was held on January 14, 2016. Staff also posted a flier with operational information on bulletin boards throughout the airport, individually briefed commercial tenants and corporate flight departments, and posted information on the airport website and Facebook page.
Special care was also taken to inform nearby homeowners of the overall increase in air traffic expected for the event, including an increase in night operations. This notification was made two weeks in advance using a dedicated email list that includes individuals and homeowner groups, and contact was made by telephone as well.
Prepared by: Douglas McNeeley, Airport Manager
Staff contact
Recommended by: Morad Fakhrai, Director of Public Works
end
Approved by:
Fran David, City Manager