Rochester Airport Commission Meeting - February 26, 2026

Note: The transcript of the meeting references March 3rd, 2026, but the official meeting date provided is February 26, 2026. This summary uses the latter as directed.

The Rochester Airport Commission met to approve routine items, review operational and marketing data, approve a consulting services agreement, and authorize an airline operating agreement with United Airlines. The meeting featured updates on passenger statistics, capacity changes, and strategic marketing efforts.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the February 3rd meeting unanimously.

Reports and Presentations

• Airport Operations (Kyle McPowell): Presented December and January statistics.
  • December: Enplanements up 6% year-over-year (goal 8%), with 5,870 more passengers than the prior year. Seats available increased due to larger aircraft capacity, though departure frequency remained flat. Delta enplanements rose 8%, American 3%. Load factors for Delta were below 70%; American approached 70%. Cargo volume decreased by less than 1%. Parking and rental income increased. International passengers were stable (+34).
  • January: Early data showed higher enplanements year-over-year, but one fewer daily flight than the same period last year. The return of United Airlines at the end of April is expected to add flights. Discussion included potential FAA-mandated reductions at Chicago O'Hare due to oversaturation, which could affect Rochester's United service (currently planned at 3–4 flights daily). The Denver route, which performed well, has not been restored.
  • Load factor goals: Delta load factor for January exceeded 70%, American at 70%.
• Marketing (Mary): January audience stable with 5% growth. Paid media targeted DFW (to build demand for a future hub connection) and Fort Myers (leisure destination). Social media engagement leveraged the "Stranger Things" finale. Top-performing ads included the "More Butts" campaign and retargeting ads showing high purchase intent. Most searched destinations: RST (inbound) and Fort Myers.

New Business

• 7A – Master Services Agreement with Mead & Hunt: Approved a five-year on-call professional consulting services contract for planning, engineering, architectural, and environmental work. Only one response was received. Staff reviewed and recommended approval. No funds are committed; task orders will be brought for approval. Discussion included Mead & Hunt's national reach (1,500 employees, ~450 aviation-specific), their long tenure with RST (~12 years), and a standard FAA clause on seismic activity deemed not applicable. Motion passed unanimously.
• 7B – Airline Operating Agreement with United Airlines: Approved an agreement identical to the one United signed prior to its departure. A preamble was added to acknowledge ongoing development of a new comprehensive agreement (with Kaplan & Kirsch) expected later this year. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• The commission approved the consent agenda, the Mead & Hunt master services agreement, and the United Airlines operating agreement, all without opposition.
• Staff will finalize details for United's inaugural flight on April 2026 (specific date TBD) and plan a celebration.
• Mayor Norton announced her retirement, expressing regret at not being in office to see major projects (e.g., runway reconstruction) completed in 2027, but affirmed the decision to step down.
• The next steps include continued monitoring of FAA decisions on Chicago O'Hare capacity, marketing efforts to regain Fort Myers passengers, and pursuit of a future Atlanta connection.