Community Profiles: Wayne County Airport Authority

The Wayne County Airport Authority is committed to serving the aviation needs of people and businesses of Metro Detroit and around the world. As the focal point of the Aerotropolis project, the Airport Authority values the partnerships that have been made with communities surrounding the airports and with Wayne County. The Authority is proud to offer the services and capacity to fit the needs of passengers and businesses specializing in aviation, air cargo, and trade. With the 2002 opening of the McNamara Terminal and the fall 2008 opening of the North Terminal, Detroit Metropolitan Airport offers a first class gateway to the world. Detroit Metro was rated #1 among U.S. airports its size (25-40 million passengers) in terms of Service Quality by Airports Council International (2007).

National and international aviation accessibility has been pivotal in attracting foreign investment to the Detroit Area. Nearly all of the foreign-owned firms operating in the region have headquarters in nations with non-stop service from Metro Airport. Detroit Metropolitan Airport offers direct service to more than 30 international destinations, and is strategically positioned to benefit from increased trade with Europe and Asia. Along with Willow Run Airport, the Authority is able to meet the needs of scheduled and on demand cargo, and is eager to help deliver Michigan and Detroit-made goods to the global marketplace.

AIRPORT STATISTICS

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport currently ranks as the 10th-busiest airport in North America and the 20th-busiest airport in the world. 17 passenger airlines provide nonstop service to over 160 destinations worldwide.

Land Area: 6,700 acres
Infrastructure: 6 runways, 3 terminal buildings, 150 gates
Passengers (2007): Nearly 36 million (3 million international passengers)
Scheduled Passenger Airlines: 17
Domestic nonstop destinations: 132 (7 served seasonally only)
International nonstop destinations: 31 (11 served seasonally)
Cargo (2006): 473,000,000 pounds (236,500 tons; 214,500 metric tonnes)
Employees: 18,000+
Total Economic Impact: $7.6 billion annually; $20.8 million daily

DTW is THE MOST OPERATIONALLY-CAPABLE airport in the Midwestern United States according to Airports Council International 2008.

Awards/Achievements

In recognition for outstanding achievement in airfield snow and ice control, Detroit Metro Airport received the Colonel Bernt Balchen/Wilfred M. Post Award in 1981 and 1995. Since then DTW received honorable mention in 2001, 2004/05, and 2006/07. Further, DTW has placed a total of 5 times since the inception of the award.
Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement – Rogell Drive – 2001/2002 from the American Society of Civil Engineering
Engineering/Surveying Excellence Award for Storm Water Control – 2001
Concrete Paving Award – Runway rehabilitation 2008
Airport Revenue News (ARN) named Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson as its 2006 Best Director of the Year
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting received from the Government Finance Officers Association, for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report – 2006
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award received – 2005, 2006 and 2007
2005 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) – Detroit Renaissance Award of Excellence for Wayne County Airport Authority Website Design
2005 Accommodation from the FAA for the creation of the first Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Mentor Protégé program in the Great Lakes Region and for Overall Program Excellence
Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) - 2006 and 2007 Airport Concessions Awards for meeting or exceeding its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for at least two years
Airports Council International 2008 - Airport Service Quality Programme – DTW’s McNamara Terminal placed in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008

Over the last three years, DTW’s McNamara Terminal has consistently been voted one of the best airport concession programs in the country by industry experts at Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) and Airport Revenue News (ARN).

Airport Revenue News - 2007 Best Concessions Poll

Airport with the Best Overall Concession Program – McNamara Terminal
Airport with the Best Concessions Management Team – McNamara Terminal
Airport with the Best Overall Concession Program Design – McNamara Terminal
Airport with the Most Unique Services

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Concessions Contest – 2007

Best Convenience Retail Program

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Concessions Contest - 2006

Best Food & Beverage Program
Best Retail Specialty Program

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Concessions Contest – 2004

Best Retail Specialty Program
Best New Retail/Specialty Concept– Ora Oxygen Spa – 2nd Place

Airport Revenue News - 2004 Best Concessions Poll

Airport with the Best Overall Concession Program – McNamara Terminal

Special Notes

DTW awarded a Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant, totaling nearly $5.1 million by the FAA to support the airport’s plan to reduce operations emissions at its new North Terminal. North Terminal scheduled to open in September 2008.
Aircraft Deicing Fluid Recycling – DTW is the largest deicing fluid recycler in the WORLD for 8 out of the last 9 years
Retrofitted more than 5,000 taxiway edge lights wi8th longer-life and energy efficient LED fixture, these bring a savings of $12 million in operating costs.
Crosswinds Marsh – 1,000 acre wetland preserve in Sumpter Township that was created to compensate for 300 acres of on-airport wetland disturbed during expansion projects.

Willow Run Airport (YIP)

Willow Run Airport serves cargo, corporate and general aviation clients. Once the region’s primary commercial airport, Willow Run has excellent infrastructure for airports in its class. Willow Run also ranks as one of the largest U.S. airports for landed air freight flown exclusively by cargo aircraft.

Land area: 2,600 acres
Infrastructure: 5 runways
Passengers (2006): 210,000 (all charter, corporate, private – no scheduled service)
Cargo (2006): 316,000,000 million pounds (158,000 tons; 143,300 metric tonnes)
Employees: 1,100
Total Economic Impact: $200 million annually; 50% of which is in Wayne County

YIP Statistics

Located 7 miles west of DTW – along I-94 corridor
Major air cargo, corporate, charter and general aviation hub
Nearby inter-modal transportation, its prime location gives easy access to major U.S. and International markets and provides ample room for growth.
Stimulates more than 2,300 Michigan jobs
Businesses at the airport generated $9 million in local taxes during 2006
(5) runways including an ILS all-weather and cross wind runways
New taxiway constructed in 2007
Major runway extension to take place by 2012, shall include an additional taxiway as well
Extensive air cargo operations in place
Abundant available land on and adjacent to the airfield
Available hangar space
Home to the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology
Much less congestion and air traffic than other area airports
Excellent location with ready access to major corporations, educational institutions, freeways, waterways and rail lines
24 hour customs service
On site weather service

Awards/Achievements

In recognition for outstanding achievement in airfield snow and ice control, Willow Run Airport received the Colonel Bernt Balchen/Wilfred M. Post Award for the 2002/03 snow season.