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Section 6: Communications
Section 6:
Communications
Enhancing our Communications
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation has increased its efforts to engage in public outreach and awareness of commercial and general aviation information. This initiative to enhance our external communications is an essential aspect of RIAC’s commitment to ensure accountability and transparency. Efforts to provide prompt access to accurate information have been a critical element of fostering public safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and improved outreach with General Aviation airport stakeholders throughout the state.
EMAIL MARKETING WEBSITE MOBILE APP SOCIAL MEDIA MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Public Awareness and Outreach to Raise Confidence in Air Travel
Restore confidence in air travel
Highlight customer service and amenities
Call attention to the ease associated with Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport
SAFE, CARES and EASE Campaigns
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has been working to keep travelers safe and well informed. Our “SAFE” campaign has worked to ensure all our patrons know that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and our airline partners have integrated the latest in science-based health and safety protocols throughout the airport and aircraft. Our “CARES” campaign is focused on new and upcoming improvements being implemented by the Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport’s Customer Service Department, which are all part of our ongoing effort to become the best airport in the nation! Our “EASE” campaign is creating top of mind presence with passengers through different avenues of traditional marketing, brand awareness, and community engagement. We know that our ability to offer an “EASE” of travel is unmatched by any airport in the region, and it sets us apart from the competition. At Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport we recognize that one of our most incredible resources are those travelers who truly love the ease and stress-free nature of travel when they choose to fly out of PVD.
Top Rated Airport in the United States
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) was recognized as one of the nation’s top five airports by three leading travel magazines. Early in 2020, our airport was named one of USA Today’s Readers’ Choice “Best Small Airports” as well as “Top Five” in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best 2020” Awards for Top Domestic Airports. Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport was also named one of the top four airports in the nation by Condé Nast Traveler’s “Readers’ Choice Awards!” The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has made a point to continue elevating its branding to emphasize Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport’s commitment to excellence and the ease of travel to and through, resulting in a more pleasurable travel experience.
PVD gets kudos from fliers as a “great little airport” that’s easy to reach and to navigate. More than two-thirds of New England’s population lives within a 75-minute drive of the airfield. Long favored by budget carriers as a less expensive alternative to Boston’s Logan, the airport has been growing steadily in recent years and is well-positioned to benefit from a resurgence in domestic air travel. — Condé Nast Traveler
The CEO quarterly newsletter from Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, reaches over 100,000 subscribers, bringing them vital updates, relevant airport news, and the latest information about Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport and the aviation community’s ongoing resilience and recovery. This outreach effort has helped inform the community of the impact of COVID-19, steps the airport and airlines have taken to keep them safe, the availability of new and returning routes, and of opportunities to support Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in its efforts to achieve national recognition through travel magazines.
Discussions with Communities around the State on Strategic Business Plan for General Aviation Airports
RIAC has also made significant efforts to improve engagement and outreach with aviation stakeholders and members of the public in General Aviation airport host communities. RIAC operates and maintains the General Aviation airports to benefit the state, local communities, and stakeholders. RIAC alone cannot, and should not, decide the future direction of these airports and at what scale they will operate. With this in mind, RIAC has been working closely with town managers, municipal leaders, and key stakeholders to gain input into an evolving plan that seeks to achieve a public consensus on the scope and nature of airport infrastructure and improved amenities, including opportunities for airport revenue generation for reinvestment as well as the general welfare of the community. Throughout 2019, and 2020, RIAC has held 28 meetings to focus on General Aviation airport strategy. These meetings included 15 meetings with townships and stakeholders. During this process, approximately 43 updates were shared on the General Aviation Strategic Business Plan web page, as part of RIAC’s commitment to airport development in an open and transparent process. This open process has illustrated that there is often a strong divide among pilots, neighbors, and local elected officials. While RIAC continues to respect the views of airport host communities, we remain hopeful that this effort will help close the gap among these stakeholders and will create consensus around future General Aviation airport plans.
Community Events PVDairport.com—A Valuable Resource
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) recently hosted a free drive-in movie in partnership with newportFILM and Frontier Airlines. The event featured the inspirational film “Linda Ronstadt, The Sound of My Voice.” The evening included local food trucks and a food drive for West Bay Community Action. Frontier Airlines and other partners provided door prizes including round trip airline tickets, airport parking vouchers, and an “Only in Rhode Island” gift basket donated by the airport’s retail partner, Paradies Lagardère. In creating the event, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation sought to create a fun and memorable experience to connect with the community and thank them for their continued support of Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport the pandemic, reminding those gathered of the importance of “flying local” to help boost Rhode Island’s travel and tourism industry while also serving as a “thank you” to all those who helped vote to recognize Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport one of the best airports in the nation!” Now more than ever before, our state, nation, and world depend on the most up-to-date travel information. In the upcoming year, RIAC looks forward to providing dynamic upgrades to its website to improve features, content, navigation, and user-friendliness to ensure it remains a helpful informational resource, both for aviation stakeholders and all those who utilize Rhode Island’s public airport system. In addition, RIAC continues to work in partnership with the state to ensure that all visitors are aware of the Governor’s travel-related executive orders and testing information to help keep Rhode Islanders safe.
In the past year, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has bolstered its social media presence and interactions with the public on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Such social media platforms and mediums are essential for RIAC to interact with its loyal customer base in a fun and informative way. These media outlets also build upon Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport status as the “Official Airport of the New England Patriots.”
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RIAC’s Participation and Sponsorship at Routes Americas, Routes Europe, Routes World, and JumpStart
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport was proud to serve as one of the sponsors of “Routes America,” a leading aviation event, bringing together senior decision-makers from airlines, airports, and destinations. Over three concentrated business days, 800 delegates took part in face-to-face meetings to discuss new opportunities and existing air services. Our sponsorship provided an invaluable opportunity to build high-value relationships with some of the most influential aviation professionals from across the Americas. At the same time, it ensured that all who attended the conference learned more about New England’s award-winning airport. Our brand was made visible on meeting hall banners, table runners, and delegate directory advertisements. Participation in air service development conferences result in increased top-of-mind awareness of PVD with airline planners, and allowed RIAC to promote opportunities for profitable service recovery and expansion at PVD. Members of RIAC also attended the highprofile 2019 conferences “Routes Europe” and “World Routes”. In addition, RIAC attended the Airports Council International-North America’s JumpStart® Conference, which includes a similar program designed to bring airports and airlines together for brief strategic meetings. RIAC believes these marketing investments will pay long-term dividends with new routes, new airlines, and increased activity at PVD.
Announcements, First Flights and Celebratory Returns of Airlines and Routes
As the travel industry has started its long climb back from the COVID-19 crisis, we have been fortunate to celebrate the return of almost all of our airlines and routes. Together, with our airline partners and our community, we will continue to rebuild and reconnect Rhode Island to people and places throughout the country and the rest of the world. Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation have been proud to host celebrations of “first flights” over the past several years, welcoming passengers and crews on inaugural flights to new locations and additional non-stop routes, both domestic and international.
While some routes have been adversely impacted by matters beyond the control of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport continues to be a preferred partner for airlines as they offer passengers new and exciting travel opportunities. In the above photo, local dignitaries including Governor Dan McKee, House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi, Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and others joined RIAC President and CEO Iftikhar Ahmad and RIAC Board Chair Jonathan Savage to announce the selection of Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport as one of 16 debut airports in the nation selected to be part of Breeze Airways network. The new, “seriously nice” airline hopes to expand service in the coming years to include nonstop European and west coast service within its network.
“I want to thank the entire Rhode Airport Corporation for the thoughtfulness of welcoming our airline back to PVD. We appreciate the partnership and support we have with the airport authority. - Airline Testimonial ”
