‘Speed dating:’ QC International Airport to make sales pitch to airlines
New airlines. New routes. Added flights.
All are potential goals for the Quad Cities International Airport. Public Relations and Marketing Manager Ashleigh Davis will attend a conference in the nation’s capitol next week to meet with management from airlines to get updates on airlines currently at the airport.
The other goal is to expand the air service in the Quad Cities, whether that’s by adding new airlines, new destinations, or more flights to existing destinations.
Airport staff jokingly compare the process they’ll go through next week to “speed dating.” This year, with upgrades in the works, they’re going in with more to “court” carriers to the Quad Cities.
“If we could, we would add everything that we possibly could,” Davis said. “Who doesn’t want more air service?”
Davis says airlines can accept or decline meetings with anyone. If her request is accepted, she’ll get 20 minutes for each meeting to make the Quad Cities region stand out.
“We call it speed dating basically because when it comes time for the conference to happen, you have an opportunity as the airport to request meetings,” Davis said. “You create a wish list with a list of different airlines you hope to get face time with. They decide what makes the most sense based on their plans, what’s in their network, and what resources they have.”
She believes the airport’s’ revitalization project — “Project Gateway” — will aid in her efforts.
“One of the things that airlines like about it is that we’re investing in their passenger experience,” Davis said. “By upgrading the facility, which is now almost 40 years old, there are just necessary updates and upgrades that have to be made. We use that as an opportunity to talk to airlines about the investment that we are making right here in our community. Then, as a by-product of that, the investment in their passengers as well.”
Davis says once the meetings begin, airlines will look at the airport capacity, population growth, business openings, and expansions. She will present data showing what opportunities there are to connect the Quad Cities with larger hubs. She believes these conferences, or “speed dates,” are important for the future development and growth of the airport. And it can encourage airlines to take a second look at the potential of the Quad Cities.
“I think having face time with the airlines helps keep the Quad Cities top of mind,” Davis said. “You don’t always speak with someone at an airline that even knows where the Quad Cities is. You have a really big job of educating them on what we are all about, where we are located, and why this is a great opportunity for them to consider.”
The airport is now a month into phase one of its revitalization plan: “Project Gateway.” A new baggage screening and security system should be ready in about a year, along with updated ticket counters.
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