Aug. 15 Airport Authority Board meeting
Covered by Documenter Rick Bohan (see his notes here)
More than just airplanes are flying around Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). The airport has taken an innovative approach to supporting environmental sustainability by installing honey-producing beehives on its property.
Last year, CAK partnered with Hartville Honey Bee Farm to introduce 60 bee colonies to conserve and bolster the pollinator population in Summit and Stark counties.
At the Akron-Canton Authority Board meeting on Aug. 15, Lisa Dalpiaz, vice president of Air Service and Business Development, announced that the project has expanded and that the thousands of bees in the colonies have produced 180 pounds of honey.
The honey is being bottled and will soon be available for purchase at grab-and-go locations throughout the airport’s terminal, with sales supporting local environmental initiatives.
The airport hopes the apiary, a location where beehives of honey bees are kept, will serve as a model for other airports to enact similar sustainable initiatives, according to a 2023 press release.
CAK airport finances on upward trajectory
In addition to the update on the bees, the board reviewed the airport’s financial performance, which shows positive trends overall.
CAK revenues for the month were up 23.9%, with a year-to-date increase of 8.7% compared to budget forecasts.
This rise in revenue is attributed to the increase in air service and the continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dalpiaz said.
Scheduled landing fees are 26% above the budgeted year-to-date figures, indicating a strong summer performance, typically the best financial period for CAK.
Non-operating revenues, on the other hand, are 60% below target.
These include federal project and COVID-19-related funds and passenger facility and car rental facility charges. This shortfall is largely due to the level of actual federal project activity falling below anticipated levels, Dalpiaz said, leading to fewer draws on these funds.
Overall expenses are 3.15% over the budget year to date.
Port Green partner discussions continue
During the meeting, the board also discussed a proposal to remove the Summit County Development Finance Authority (DFA) from a three-party agreement with the airport and SB Equities.
This is related to the management of CAK International Business Park at Port Green, an industrial and commercial development in Green, Ohio, managed by SB Equities.
The nearly 400-acre park offers customizable lots with all utilities available in Phases I and II.
The airport’s board expressed concerns about SB Equities’ ability to attract new tenants for the development, leading to the decision to table the proposal for further discussion.
In other business
• President and CEO Ren Camacho highlighted the airport’s recent designation as “age-friendly” by the Better Business Bureau. The Age-Friendly Business distinction is granted by the BBB to businesses that provide safe, accessible spaces with staff trained to assist patrons and adapt communication styles to older adults.
- A closed runway reopens in late November, Camacho said.
- Canton’s Aultman Hospital will be opening a wellness center within the terminal, Camacho told the board.
- Dalpiaz reported on Breeze Airways’ nonstop service from CAK to Los Angeles (LAX), which debuted in May of this year. The new West Coast route started slowly, Dalpiaz said, but revenues have increased in recent months. The summer seasonal route is the airport’s first nonstop flight to Los Angeles.
The Akron-Canton Authority Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. at the airport terminal. They work to guide the organization’s strategic direction. Meetings are open to the public.
