Says St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport Is Too Busy

Less than a month into his new job, Noah Lagos has a problem most business owners would welcome -- too much growth. Lagos began his tenure as the airport director for the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Feb. 16. Since that time he's decided the airport not only can do better managing its resources but also needs to do it on a more controlled basis.

With the highest passenger growth rate in Florida and the third highest in the country, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport served an estimated 1 million passengers in 2003. Eight low-cost air carriers offer non-stop service direct from the airport to 17 destinations throughout the United States and Canada. At that rate, it is estimated that by the end of the year, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport will see 1.2 million passengers pass through its gates. Lagos said that is too many, too soon.

"This airport has been on a roller coaster ride for the past year," said Lagos. "In just the first two months of 2004, we've already enplaned 200,000. I think the airport sells a very defined product -- convenience. The problem is that we're going through growing pains and we're not as convenient as we could be."

To deal with the onslaught of passengers, Lagos is working on two projects that will expand the airport's ticketing areas and security systems. Both projects are what Largos deemed "low-cost" ventures. The first involves expanding the airport's main ticketing and checkpoint area. Lagos feels the current X-ray security screening machine layout is not econimic, as they are situated in front of the main ticketing booth, causing both congestion and delays in the ticketing process. He plans to spend about $300,000 to expand the baggage check-in area behind the counter and to move the check-in machines behind the rear wall. This project could kick off within three weeks, he said.

The second project involves reaching an agreement with the federal TSA. Lagos said the airport, which currently utilizes only a single checkpoint area, needs to expand its facility to two stations. However, the TSA would have to pay for additional machines, and Lagos said he's still early in negotiations about the project. Partial funding for one or both of the projects doesn't appear to be an issue. In 2003, the airport had a working budget of $7.4 million. Its revenue for the year was $9 million with $2.3 million flowing from non-aviation revenue generated from industrial operations on airport property.

"We need to position ourselves to sustain this kind of growth," said Lagos. "We want stability, and from there grow incrementally."

Lagos was selected from a field of more than 50 candidates from throughout the United States. He returned to the Bay area after serving a 15-month stint as director of transportation for the City of Fresno (CA). Unlike his current position where he deals primarily with the aviation industry, Lagos was responsible for all aspects of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Chandler Airport and the Fresno Area Express Public Transit System. Prior to joining the City of Fresno, Lagos held the post of vice president, chief operating officer and senior director of aviation for six years at the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority.

He said his current duties more readily meld to his area of expertise.

"In Fresno, I was overseeing a busing system, two airports and an overall transportation system," said Lagos. "That's really too much for one person to do, and I've told them that. It is my understanding that my replacement there will focus only on the aviation aspect, which is the way I think it should be."

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