RECOMMENDATION:
Pass a motion approving calendar year 2022 membership fees for Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) in an amount not to exceed $160,184.00 for the Houston Airport System.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
Airports Council International (ACI) is the trade association of airport owners and operators worldwide. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, ACI has 701 members operating 1,933 airports in 183 countries. ACI is comprised of five geographical regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America-Caribbean, and North America. The North America region, which includes Canada and the United States, is represented by ACI-NA, based in Washington, D.C.
Membership in ACI-NA provides the department with 1) a means of keeping current on the latest techniques of the many functional aspects of airport management; 2) advocacy on legislative issues before the Congress and world forums; 3) a way to exchange information with other airports facing similar situations; 4) a single airport voice in dealing with the federal government; 5) representation in the bilateral negotiating process for international air routes; and 6) training and certification opportunities by a world leader in airport management and operations education. Additionally, ACI-NA was instrumental in securing federal COVID-19 relief funds for American airports.
Base membership dues are formula-based and are a function of an airport’s passenger and cargo activity, where each enplaned and deplaned passenger and each 100 kilograms of enplaned and deplaned cargo equal one traffic unit. For 2019, Houston had 64,986,368.00 traffic units. Base dues for 2022 are $128,684.00. International air service dues are based on enplaned international passengers; for 2019, Houston had 11,972,839 international passengers, bringing the fee to $9,000.00. A legislative assessment of $15,000.00 and a policy assessment of $7,500.00, both discounted rates, are also included. Total dues for 2022 are $160,184.00, which also reflect a discount due to COVID-19 and a 5% early payment discount.
Support of this organization provides member airports with constant communication concerning our position in various legislative and regulatory processes and international civil aviation organizations, such as security issues impacting our airports, and enables our airports to make their voices heard at critical points along the way. Benefits from membership and participation in this organization far outweigh the cost of dues and serve the best interest of the Houston Airport System in meeting the current airport needs of the community, customers, and users.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item was included in the FY2022 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
Director's Signature:
__________________
Mario C. Diaz
Houston Airport System
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Estimated Spending Authority
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DEPARTMENT
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FY2022
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OUT YEARS
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TOTAL
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Houston Airport System
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$160,184.00
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$0.00
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$160,184.00
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