KAAMCO welcomes 2021
1st virtual meeting of the year
BY JEFF YAPALATER
Roger Scott called the first
Kaamco meeting for 2021 to order
which was held virtually and will
be until further notice.
Scott has agreed to hold the office
of Kaamco President for a second
year and welcomed other board
members, Mark Flug of Cathay Pacific
as Vice-President, Aldo Garcia
of Copa Airlines as Treasurer and
Junior Narine of Virgin Atlantic as
Secretary. Good-byes were made to
2020 and sadly to former VP Hede
Zsigor of Air France as she heads
to a new post in Japan. Welcomes to
both Aldo, and Junior who are both
new to the Board this year.
A shout went to Don Gaines who
will be the new Station Manager for
United when it begins to fly again
from JFK out of T7 in February.
Roger went through some of the
plans for 2021. He said that there
will not be a Kaamco Annual Convention
this April but he hoped for
something like it later in the year
and closer to home. He did say that
he expects the Kaamco Golf outing
would likely take place in the Fall
assuming the vaccines have created
better protection and if there is
a desire from the membership. “By
hook or by crook,” Scott said he is
very much hoping for a gala at end
of year.
It was announced that because of
the impact of the pandemic and lack
of normal organizational events, all
paid 2020 dues will be used in 2021.
AIRPORT V 10 OICE, JANUARY 2021
New membership dues forms have
mailed.
On everyone’s mind is the increase
of airport fees. These fees
have been increased partially due
to the lack of volume by airlines
and also to cover the deferred fees
during 2020 by the Port. He said he
knows that it is a big increase but
that he has brought Kaamco’s feelings
to NYALO who negotiates
these fees on behalf of Kaamco.
VP Mark Flug discussed the continued
need for the membership to
accept the new pricing by Interline
contractor Airway. The amendment
needs to be signed or rejected but
returned to Mark to determine the
fate of the agreement. It is recommended
to accept the increase since
not doing so wold subject Kaamco
to large penalties and deprive the
organization of an Interline “As operations
come back, we want good
product to continue, “ he said.
Flug mentioned the General Managers
Bulletin informing the community
of the eligibility of all airport
workers to receive the vaccine under
the NYS 1b eligibility grouping. He
referred people to the recent GM bulletin
dealing with the new eligibility
and how to get a vaccine.
Treasurer Aldo Garcia discussed
the new Service Dog policy
introduced by the Department of
Transportation. Emotional Support
animals will not longer fly for free
in the cabin and will be shipped as
cargo.
Live animals import rules
Brokers required for purchases
The CBP recently issued Pipeline
21-010 for JFK regrading the importation
of live animals under he
19CFR 143.2 Formal Entry Requirements
for imported Merchandise.
This notice informs all stakeholders
of changes to JFK’s processing
of commercially imported live dogs,
cats and other animals.
Essentially all dogs, for example,
that are bought in brought in on a
commercial basis require a broker
entry. If these animals are personal
pets that are returning no broker
is required, but the standard CDC ,
UDAA requirements are necessary.
People buying pets abroad must
use a broker. Animals purchased
may go to the Ark at JFK for pickup.
* For eligible full-time students. See full details at vaughn.edu.
PANYNJ 2021 Operating Budget
2021 Budget $72 billion
Covid prevention measures intact
Capital budget slashed 33%
Staff reduction by 7%
Over the past several months,
the Port Authority has seen unprecented
reductions in revenue due
to the Pandemic. The path to recovery
has been slow and fubnding
from the federal government has
not been forthcoming in the recent
stimulus package.
As a resul, the 2021 budget has
been sevely impacted. Salient features
in the report from the Port
Authority Committee of Operations
follows.
The proposed 2021 Budget provides
for capital and operating expenditures
during calendar year
2021 necessary to achieve the Port
Authority’s goals and objectives,
all within the constraints placed on
the Port Authority’s financial condition
by the COVID-19 crisis.
The proposed 2021 Budget of
$7.2 billion aligns with the Port
Authority’s mission to keep the region
moving, and its six strategic
priorities, while reflecting the adverse
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
on the agency’s activities and
cash flow. The proposed 2021 Budget
does not assume the receipt by
the Port Authority of any new federal
COVID-19 stimulus aid. The
proposed 2021 Budget allocates approximately
$3.2 billion for operating
expenses, approximately $2.4
billion for capital expenditures,
and approximately $1.6 billion for
debt service and other expenses.
The proposed operating expense
budget reflects substantial efforts
to control operating expenses while
ensuring safe and reliable service,
consistent with Port Authority
standards and priorities.
The operating expense budget
includes the following cost control
measures: (1) carrying forward approximately
$190 million of cost reductions
in response to COVID-19
that were instituted in 2020; (2) incorporating
further cost reductions
needed to offset $90 million in unavoidable
and structural increases
elsewhere in the 2021 Budget; and
(3) reducing staff positions by 7 percent.
*
/vaughn.edu
