OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED PFC APPLICATION AND AMENDMENTS
July 25, 2024
In accordance with Section 158.24 of 14 CFR Part 158, the Albany County Airport Authority (the Authority) provides notice of an opportunity for public comment on proposed passenger facility charge amendments and a new application. The Authority intends to submit amendments to two prior PFC applications and a new PFC application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for 10 projects with the following information:
· PFC level: $4.50 per eligible enplaned passenger
· Estimated charge effective date for the application: June 1, 2028
· Estimated charge expiration date for the application: August 1, 2032
· Estimated total PFC revenue to be collected under new application: $24,160,697
Public comments accepted until August 30, 2024, and be sent to Mr. Michael Zonsius, mzonsius@albanyairport.com.
PFC AMENDMENTS
Project 04‐009, Escalator #22 & and #23 Replacement in Application 20‐04‐C‐00‐ALB needs to be amended to:
· Update scope: The escalators replaced were in Concourse B, not the ticketing area as originally planned.
· Increase cost: The approved PFC amount needs to be increased from $1,100,000 to $1,412,507, an increase of $312,507.
Project 05‐002 Design and Construct Perimeter Gate and Fence Replacement in Application 23‐05‐C‐00‐ALB needs to be amended to increase the approved PFC amount from $900,000 to $2,339,839, an increase of $1,439,839. The currently approved PFC amount was based on a preliminary planning cost estimate and actuals came in higher.
NEW PFC APPLICATION
Project 1: Concourse A Modernization and Enhancements
Description: Concourse A currently has 4 gates equipped with boarding bridges and 2 lower‐level ground boarding gates. The project converts the 2 lower‐level gates from ground loading to boarding bridge equipped holdrooms. The escalator atrium will be infilled to provide additional concourse area. A new companion restroom will be installed in the area to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Justification: All boarding bridge equipped gates are leased by airlines and used during peak times. The converted gates will provide capacity to meet peak period demand, serve new entrants, and allow for growth by existing airlines.
Project 2: Airfield Lighting Controls
Description: New airfield lighting control computers with new fiber wiring will be installed in both the Airfield Electric Vault and Air Traffic Control Tower. A remote station will be installed to monitor the system.
Justification: The existing airfield lighting controls were installed in 1994, are beyond their useful life, and difficult to maintain.
Project 3: Airport Stormwater & Resiliency Master Plan
Description: A plan for severe rain events and water issues related to proposed long‐ term infrastructure projects will be conducted.
Justification: The Authority will work closely with local water stakeholders to integrate the water resources management approach. The plan will help ALB avoid flooding events and reduce pollution reaching nearby waters.
Project 4: Intrusion Detection System
Description: An intrusion detection system will be installed to increase the security for the entire perimeter of the airport.
Justification: The system will reduce the ability of individuals and vehicles breaching airport perimeters undetected and gaining access to runways, parked aircraft, or other sensitive locations.
Project 5: Airport Sustainability Management Plan
Description: An Airport Sustainability Management Plan will be prepared in accordance with FAA guidance to integrate sustainability into planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and business practices.
Justification: The plan helps to optimize airport operations while reducing environmental impacts and realizing economic benefits.
Project 6: Runway 28 Runway Protection Zone Property Acquisition
Description: Acquisition of a vacant 3.6‐acre parcel in the RPZ east of Runway 28
Justification: Owning RPZ land ensures proper maintenance and compatible uses
Project 7: PFC Application Development
Description: Consulting services related to these amendments and PFC application
Justification: Projects in this PFC application meet the requirements and objectives of approved PFC projects
Projects 8-10: Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation Projects
Description: Project 8 is rehabilitation of the cargo apron which includes concrete pavement reconstruction, asphalt pavement rehabilitation, storm sewer pipe lining, and catch basin repair for the aircraft cargo apron. Project includes storm drainage work, concrete and asphalt removal, excavation, concrete placement, pipelining, milling, paving, and pavement marking application. The other two projects to reimburse the local matching share of Airport Improvement Program and New York State grant funded rehabilitations of:
· Project 9: Runway 10/28
· Project 10: Runway 01/19 and South Side Perimeter Road
Justification: The pavement condition indexes of this pavement were fair or poor. Airfield pavement needs to be periodically rehabilitated under FAA requirements.