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People Waiting in Terminal

Air Service Development

Air Service development is a long-term initiative that begins with understanding an airport’s opportunity within the global air transportation network. The specialized air service development capabilities CMT offers is built on professional staff experience derived within the airline industry as well as the successful achievements working for communities to retain, expand and secure new air service.

The ever-changing dynamics of the airline industry means that factors beyond a community’s control can have a lasting impact on an airport’s flight portfolio. We specialize in helping our clients get out in front of these trends by identifying both the risks and opportunities. We use our airline network planning contacts and direct network planning experience to foster key relationships among our clients, local community stakeholders, and their airline partners.

CMT’s approach to air service development is practical, personal, and meaningful. Our insightful analyses and thoughtful recommendations are always candid, and we’ll never waste your time or resources chasing opportunities with limited potential for long-term success. We blend our “can-do” Midwestern work ethic with cautious optimism and realistic expectations to provide our clients with long-term success.

Representative Clients

Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport

Denver International Airport

Purdue University Airport

Tampa International Airport

McGhee Tyson Airport

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

Grand Junction Regional Airport

Grand Junction Regional Air Service Alliance

Des Moines International Airport

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport

Corpus Christi International Airport

“CMT’s commitment to analyzing the data, understanding the market and the needs of the market, in building a business case, is unmatched when compared with other firms. CMT offers a unique perspective to air service development with a team that understands what information an airline needs to determine profitable route opportunities. I benefit from working with our consultant as he teaches me something new or a new way of interpreting the data each time we connect.”

Kayla Kovarna, Communications and Air Service Development Manager, Des Moines International Airport (March 2020)

“CMT has taken an innovative and fresh approach compared with previous air service development consultants I have worked with over the course of my eighteen-year career in airport management. Narratives that CMT craft are well-tailored to match our market’s strengths with airlines’ resources to identify compelling and mutually beneficial opportunities. Our team feels we are really connecting with airline planners. In fact, during a recent meeting, an airline representative shared: ‘that was one of the best presentations we have ever seen."

Adam Baxmeyer, CM, Director, Purdue University Airport (April 2020)

“CMT has performed at every level. CMT synthesizes the data and delivers it effectively. Airline planners and executives are pleased with the style and content of our presentations and have deliberately told us so at headquarters and ASD conference meetings. I am confident that our efforts will result in big wins! I have worked with five different ASD firms in my career and CMT is clearly the best of them all.”

Michael Giardino, Executive Director, Peninsula Airport Commission, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (2019)

“Our experience with the ASD practice at CMT has been a very positive one. A year ago, in less than a month of being hired, the team hit the ground running and we went off to reap very positive results during Jumpstart 2018. Nicholas (Haan) and Russell (Mills) bring crucial knowledge and skills to the table with their years of experience in the industry. We are very satisfied with the team’s performance and believe that BRO’s future is in good hands with CMT.”

Francisco Partida, Special Projects Manager, City of Brownsville, TX (BRO) (2019)

“Nicholas [Haan] combines his analytical expertise with his deep knowledge of airline strategy and economics to develop unique insights that add value to our decision-making process. He has the ability to communicate complex ideas with a straightforward style that allows him to be successful with any audience. Beyond this, Nicholas has a natural inclination towards serving others, and as a result, develops meaningful relationships with the people and communities he works with. His long-term perspective will serve communities looking to grow air service very well.”

John Kirby, Vice President, Network Planning, Spirit Airlines

“Not only does Nicholas [Haan] possess an exceptional ability to spot new market opportunities, he has the communication skills and perseverance needed to advance them through the airline planning process. Nicholas knows how to partner with communities to support both existing and up and coming routes and his efforts have led to the long-term, successful operation of many non-stop flights across a variety of city sizes, geographies, and airline business models.”

Ben Brookman, Principal Project Manager, Amazon Prime Air

“I’ve enjoyed working with Nicholas [Haan] during his time at Alaska. He was incredibly professional, strategic, and consistently prompt to respond to any questions or inquiries. He understands not only the unique role airports serve in a community, but also the value of curated airline and airport engagement with key community partners. It has been great to work with Russ on-air service research. He brings a unique and welcomed perspective to aviation that bridges airport and community priorities.”

Maggie Bishop, Business Development Analyst, Indianapolis International Airport

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Nicholas Haan for several years, starting in 2007 when he was in Network Planning at Southwest Airlines and then at Alaska Airlines. Nicholas has always impressed me with his insight and approach to analyzing markets. He is quite intelligent, yet down-to-earth and amicable. Nicholas has a very fine reputation in the industry. As a consultant, I have no doubt that he would be instrumental in the success of the airports with whom he works.”

Valerie Wise, Air Service and Business Development Manager, Wichita Eisenhower National Airport

SPECIALIZED SERVICES

Frontier Plane
Tail of Plane
Allegiant Airbus

Air Service Market Assessments

You will never feel more knowledgeable about your market than after an assessment by CMT. Using a detailed analysis of your local economy, demographics, and businesses, combined with an expert assessment of airline market performance, strategies, and opportunities, we will create a custom air service SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and translate it to a detailed air service action plan.

Airport Catchment Area Analysis

Using a revolutionary blend of location-based internet search data, U.S. Census data, and U.S. DOT air traffic data, CMT can provide you a complete picture of passenger behavior in your region. Unlike traditional catchment studies that require “adjustments” for low-cost carriers, our Catchment Analysis accounts for all carriers and is the most complete source of airport catchment data in the market. Additionally, while most other catchment studies focus on outbound demand only, our Catchment Analysis can track visitors to your community and determine their final destination.

Route Analysis, Forecasting, and Benchmarking

We believe the most important aspect of Air Service Development is retention. Ensuring the success of your existing routes is key to getting more service. This starts by understanding performance. CMT leverages Air Service Development data to give you a clear picture of what is performing, lagging, and why. We track each route’s performance against the operating carrier’s other routes, so you always know where you stand. When seeking new opportunities, CMT utilizes a detail-oriented, data-driven approach to project a new route’s potential and size any challenges to long-term success.

Master Plan Forecasting from an Air Service Development Perspective

FAA models for airport planning are only a small piece of a quality master plan forecast. CMT uses our substantial airline network planning experience to conduct long-term forecasting from an Air Service Development perspective. We incorporate your community’s specific market factors plus current and future industry trends to create a solid-yet-flexible demand model. Use it to anticipate your infrastructure needs based on varying market conditions.

Community Outreach

Straightforward, informative, and jargon-free communication of local and industry trends delivered to stakeholders in your community. Whether it be talking to the airport board, tourism authorities, or the public in general, we craft a message that is appropriate to the audience to gain alignment with achieving Air Service Development goals.

US DOT Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD-P) Grant Proposals

We will assist in every detail of researching and developing SCASD-P grand applications, from identifying local matching funds to obtaining letters of support. Each application has a unique look and feel designed to put the community’s best foot forward. Don’t waste your biggest air service opportunity of the year on a firm that will use the same template for you and all of its other clients!

CMT Insights

An industry first, our collaborative workspace offers powerful yet user-friendly visualizations of relevant air service development data, complete with real-time interactions and interpretations from our expert staff.

Air Service Incentive Program Development and Benchmarking

We can develop a competitive and compelling Air Service Incentive Program for your airport or benchmark an existing Incentive Program against other airports and make recommendations for improving its effectiveness.

Economic Impact and Return on Investment Studies

CMT can determine the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of your airport, of a specific airport project, or a new flight or route to the local community. When married with an airport or community-based incentive program, we can assist in educating stakeholders on the return of their incentive dollars to the local economy.

Air Service Reporting

Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual reporting based on your specific needs. No report is too large or too small, we have the technical expertise to deliver and interpret the data in a format most relevant to helping you achieve your goals.