Area choirs will be performing that Gerald R. Ford Airport this week. (Pxhere.com)
As holiday travel continues at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, local school choirs are set to fill the Ford Airport with festive cheer for passengers and guests.
The 26th Annual Holiday Music Festival will take place Dec. 5-9 in the airport grand hall, located just before the TSA checkpoint. Daily performances run from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A total of 20 West Michigan choirs from grades first through 12th are scheduled to sing 20-minute song sets throughout the day. All festival performances are free and open to the public.
Some of the local groups performing are
Legacy Christian Honors Choir, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5
East Kentwood High School Varsity Voices, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5
Calvin Christian Chroale, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6
Lee High School School Choir, 11 a.m.. Dec. 6
Wyoming Junior High Concert Choir, 11 a.m., Dec. 7
Wyoming High School Honors Choir, 12:30 p.m, Dec. 7
Legacy Home School Alliance Choir, 2 p.m,, Dec. 7
U-Prep Choir, 10:15 a.m. Dec. 8
Potters House High School Choir, 2 p.m. Dec. 8
South Christiaan High School Madrigals, 2 p.m. Dec. 9
The full schedule of performing choirs is at FlyFord.org.
“Thank you to the many local school choirs for your preparation and participation in bringing joy to the Airport,” said Tory Richardson, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority president and CEO. “We hope our passengers and guests can pause from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy these performances.”
Gerald R. Ford International Airport to receive nearly $8.7 million for terminal improvements. (Courtesy)
The Federal Aviation Administration funding, announced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Signed into Law Last Year
“This funding will support eight new passenger boarding bridges in 2023 to further enhance the guest experience and provide growth opportunities for airline service in West Michigan for years to come,” said Torrance Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. ”We are thankful for the investment in community infrastructure by Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters, which allows the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to compete nationally for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to invest in our passenger terminal.”
This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program. Senators Stabenow and Peters helped secure these funds in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Having reliable and safe air service is crucial for tourism, commerce, and economic development,” Senator Stabenow said. “This funding is another critical piece of the infrastructure investments coming to our state and will improve customer experiences at our airports.”
Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Courtesy)
The Airport Terminal Program is one of three aviation programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law provides $1 billion annually for five years for Airport Terminal grants.
“Airports play a critical role in boosting Michigan’s economy by connecting communities and businesses to important destinations and resources,” Senator Peters said.
“I was proud to help secure this federal support through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help Gerald Ford International Airport make necessary upgrades to critical infrastructure, ensuring it can continue to welcome and transport travelers safely and efficiently for years to come.”
The Airport also will receive a $3.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure improvements. The funding will go toward expanding the airport’s snow removal equipment building, as well as reconstructing existing airport service roads, runway lighting systems and the aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
Making a return is the Runway 5K at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff
After a pandemic pause, the popular Runway 5K will return to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Saturday, Sept. 25.
Registration has already begun for this unique race, which is capped at 1,200 participants and gives walkers and runners the rare opportunity to compete on an actual airport runway. The course will begin north of the economy parking lot, looping on taxiway Juliet and runway 8L/26R, the Airport’s general aviation runway, before ending back at the parking lot.
Race-day registration and packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m. A one-mile fun run will begin at 9:05 a.m. Awards for the top three overall males and females, as well as age groups, will be presented at 10:15 a.m.
The race is being hosted by Trivium Racing, with this year’s charity partner being the Family Hope Foundation. The Jenison nonprofit provides resources, activities, support and funding for therapies to families of children with special needs in West Michigan.
“We are delighted to welcome West Michigan back to the Airport for this year’s Runway 5K,” said Torrance A. Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “While COVID forced the cancellation of last year’s race, we are back better than ever this fall – and looking forward to seeing our friends and neighbors for this race.
“We are also honored to support the good work of Family Hope Foundation, which provides therapy scholarships, family fun, advocacy, education and resources to families of children with special needs. We encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to come out and see the Airport from a perspective you will only get once a year.”
Registration for the 5K begins at $39, with prices increasing after July 31 and until the event is sold out. Registration for the one-mile fun run begins at $25, with prices increasing after July 31. Registration includes a T-shirt, post-race snacks and beverages, awards for top finishers and other giveaways.
In 2019, the Runway 5K raised nearly $14,600 for charity.
“The true impact of 2020 is beginning to come to light,” said Jane Eppard, executive director of the Family Hope Foundation. “Many children with special needs lost ground due to disruptions in school and routine in the past year. This was clearly evident in the 25% increase in scholarship requests we received this spring.
“We begin accepting applications for our fall scholarship cycle Aug. 1. The opportunity to be the charity partner for this year’s Runway 5K and the support it will bring to families in our community is deeply appreciated and gives the organization hope.”
The Ford Airport’s two commercial aviation runways will still be operational during the race.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has been named Airport of the Year in the air carrier category by the Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics.
The Ford Airport was recognized for its “outstanding contribution and sustained excellence toward aviation progress in Michigan.” The award also reads in part, “Chief Executive Officer Torrance Richardson and the airport staff are being commended in particular for their innovative terminal expansion ‘Project Elevate’ and continued community environmental stewardship.”
The MDOT Office of Aeronautics annually recognizes exceptional airports in various categories. The Ford Airport was presented with the award at a virtual ceremony on Feb. 18 during the 2021 Michigan Airport Conference.
An Allegiant Airlines plane at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Supplied/Ford International Airport)
“My team and I are honored to receive this award and thank MDOT’s Office of Aeronautics for recognizing our important role in Michigan’s progress,” Richardson said. “It is our ambition to not only serve as a gateway to West Michigan but also as a catalyst for economic development in our region. It is gratifying to receive this recognition to honor our team’s extraordinary efforts, especially during the pandemic. ”
In 2019, the Ford Airport Authority announced plans for Project Elevate, a three-development expansion that will include a $90 million extension of Concourse A to accommodate projected passenger growth over the next 20 years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adapt its expansion plan, the Ford Airport has broken ground on the first phase of its future federal inspection station. This is the first step to welcoming direct international travel.
Through its programs, partnerships and innovative solutions, the Ford Airport is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. Sustainability was a primary focus of the 2018 Master Plan and, most recently, the reconstruction and expansion of the terminal apron resulted in more than 99% of the materials generated being recycled or reused. Thanks to a collaborative partnership between MDOT, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Ford Airport, this $50 million investment has been completed to support Project Elevate and the Airport’s future growth.
Additionally, the Airport’s continued partnership with Consumers Energy on energy improvements, its natural treatment system for deicing fluid and expanded recycling program with the Kent County Department of Public Works are examples of its stewardship.
Emily Brieve (left), pictured with Kent County Commissioner Stan Ponstein while visiting Washington D.C., was recently appointed to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. (Supplied)
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority announced Kent County Commissioner Emily Brieve has joined its board of directors for a three-year term.
In her new role, Brieve will join six other board members in the general oversight of the Ford Airport, the second busiest airport in Michigan. The Authority has undertaken numerous projects to enhance the guest experience in the past years. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it introduced its Fly Safe. Fly Ford campaign to restore confidence in the flying public.
Board Chair Dan Koorndyk and Vice Chair Floyd Wilson, Jr. also were re-elected to their roles. Birgit Klohs was newly elected as board secretary. Koorndyk has served on the Authority Board since 2017, including three years as chair. He previously served on the board from 2003 to 2006. Wilson has served on the board since 2009, including two years as vice chair. Klohs has served on the board since 2013.
“I’m honored to join the board of the Ford Airport, which is a cornerstone of our region,” Brieve said. “The Airport serves a critical role by connecting West Michigan to the world and by serving as an economic catalyst for our region. I look forward to contributing to the board as we continue to establish the Ford Airport as an industry leader.”
In her role as a Kent County commissioner, Brieve has represented the 10th District, serving Gaines Township and a portion of Caledonia Township, since 2014. She serves as vice chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee as well as chair of the Board of Public Works and Community Health Advisory committees. Additionally, she serves as a trustee of the Grand Rapids Public Museum and is a member of the West Michigan Sports Commission.
“As the Ford Airport continues to re-engage travelers during COVID-19, having strong leaders like Emily will be key to our success,” Koorndyk said. “Her background in public service will be an asset to our board, as will her strengths in business. Our entire team welcomes Emily to the Ford Airport.”
Outside of her roles in public service, Brieve works for her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com, selling construction and industrial tools and supplies. Previously, she worked as a legislative assistant in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Brieve is a graduate of Calvin University, where she studied business and communication. She lives in Caledonia with her husband, Mark, and their two young sons, Jonah and Micah.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport leaders and other local officials help break ground for the new federal inspection station. (Supplied)
Brian Greene For the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport today broke ground on Phase I of a new federal inspection station, which will ultimately allow the Airport to support nonstop international commercial passenger flights.
Phase I of the construction project, which will take place on the east end of the terminal, will include a new baggage claim area, restrooms and operations infrastructure that will be used for domestic flights until the full FIS project is complete. Conversations have begun at the federal level for a full FIS build out, but a timeline is not in place for completion.
The FIS is part of Project Elevate and one of three new developments for Ford Airport to accommodate projected passenger growth over the next 20 years. With support from Sen. Peter MacGregor, former Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, former Rep. Chris Afendoulis and The Right Place, Project Elevate secured a $5 million grant from the MEDC to begin work on curbside improvements needed for the FIS, which is expected to cost a total of $30 million.
No local taxpayer dollars will be used to finance Project Elevate, which will be paid for with a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the airport and user fees.
“Phase I of this project is an important step forward as we work to bring direct international travel to West Michigan,” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of Ford Airport. “Creating this additional space will signal to the federal government we are serious about creating an FIS at the Ford Airport while offering us needed additional baggage claim area in the meantime.
The new federal inspection station will aid the Ford Airport in in getting non-stop international flights (Supplied)
“We are thankful for funding from the MEDC, which required us to begin this project now. While our numbers, like those of every airport around the country, have been impacted by COVID-19, we have seen steady growth in the number of passengers throughout this summer and are ahead of our projections.”
Currently, the Airport cannot process direct international arrivals, other than private aircraft. When a private aircraft lands at the Airport from an international airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, agents meet and screen passengers at the aircraft. Without the dedicated screening facilities of an FIS, CBP’s screening capacity is limited to small aircraft.
The addition of an FIS will provide a permanent home at the airport for customs officers, allowing CBP to consolidate multiple locations into a single facility. The Airport will eventually build a corridor from Concourse B that will lead to a dedicated customs area, complete with screening equipment, security, holding cells and other FIS requirements. When fully built out, the FIS will be able to screen 400 passengers per hour.
“As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, we know our community is anxious to get out and to explore,” said Dan Koorndyk, Board chair of the Airport Authority. “We look forward to enhancing the gateway to West Michigan by providing our guests a convenient, comfortable travel experience in state-of-the-art facilities.”
Architect for the project is Mead & Hunt while The Christman Company is serving as general contractor. The project is expected to have more than an $8 million impact in the West Michigan economy.
Announced in August 2019, Project Elevate was slated to get underway in spring 2020 but was delayed because of the coronavirus. In addition to the FIS, the Airport plans to expand Concourse A and to relocate the current air traffic control tower to the east side of the airfield.
Expansion of the terminal apron, which is a critical component to Concourse A, will be completed in the coming weeks.
At its peak in 2019, the Ford Airport generated more than $3.1 billion in annual economic impact, serving more than 3.58 million passengers. COVID-19 severely impacted airline travel across the globe, but traffic is slowly continuing to grow. This summer, the Ford Airport recently introduced its new Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign to educate travelers on new precautions for their health and to restore confidence in air travel.
March 2018 was the single busiest month in Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) history.
March passenger numbers were up 16.2 percent year-over-year; resulting in the busiest March ever, the busiest first quarter ever, and breaking an all-time monthly record from March 2017.
“We continue to sound like a broken record, but what an amazing feat for our airport and our community to not only have a record month, but the best in Ford Airport history,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “We saw first-hand the traffic in our parking garage and passengers going through our security checkpoints leaving for Spring Break, but we are pleasantly surprised to see a record-breaking month like this.”
March 2017 was previously the busiest month in GFIA history with 256,880 total passengers. In March 2018, 298,487 total passengers traveled through GFIA – breaking the previous record by 41,607 passengers.
Each month of 2018 has resulted in record-breaking passenger numbers, also equating to GFIA recording its busiest first quarter in history. Through March 2018, GFIA has served 790,106 passengers- more than the first three years that the airport was in operation combined (1964- 1966).
“Our airline partners continue to invest here adding more service, more routes, and larger aircraft to accommodate our growing passenger traffic,” said Gill. “We hope our continued growth prompts even more service to give our West Michigan community more options and competitive pricing when they fly from the Ford Airport.”
The Ford Airport is coming off a 2017 that saw over 2.8 million passengers, the fifth straight year of record growth. GFIA has seen growth in 56 of the last 63 months.
GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.
Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project is slated to begin in Fall 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, and ‘front of house’ area.
“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “Our passengers keep coming back because we listen to their wants and needs, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we hope to add more growth in the years to come.”
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is preparing for its busiest time of year with helpful travel reminders, and a bit of fun mixed in.
Due to additional passenger volume beginning this month and continuing through April, parking lot demands will be greater, and airport facilities are expected to be busy. GFIA is also under construction for the Gateway Transformation Project, which affects areas of passenger screening and the terminal Grand Hall. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects longer security lines.
In order to expedite the security screening process, passengers should carefully consider the contents of their checked luggage and carry-on bags. The TSA recommends wearing shoes that are easy to remove, having identification and boarding passes ready to present at security checkpoints, removing all items from pockets, avoiding bedazzled and jeweled clothing, limiting heavy jewelry, and ending all cell phone conversations prior to screening. In addition, removing heavy food items such as cheese and fudge, along with granular and powdered items like sugar, from your carry-on bag, will also greatly speed up security screening.
“We are looking forward to another Spring Break season, which is our busiest time of the year. Because of that, it is important for those traveling – especially if you haven’t flown recently – to review TSA’s website,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “Our TSA staff does a wonderful job, and the more prepared travelers are, the smoother the screening experience will be for everyone.”
Passengers traveling through GFIA on select Spring Break travel dates will be treated to the annual Passenger Appreciation Days, compliments of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board. This bon-voyage celebration will take place from Thursday, Macy 30 – April 1 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Airport’s Grand Hall Meet & Greet area. Passenger Appreciation Days events include free refreshments, food, giveaways, prize drawings, contests, and more.
“Our Spring Break travelers who return year after year know how much fun you can have prior to your vacation with our Passenger Appreciation Days,” said Gill. “This is one of the ways we are thanking our community for supporting our airport, and our passengers will have some fun before heading out on their trips.”
For passengers wanting to partake in the Passenger Appreciation Days festivities, the Airport encourages them to allow even more travel time.
The TSA also encourages passengers to utilize the 3-1-1 rule with liquids, gels and aerosols. Put all liquids in 3.4 ounce containers and place them in a clear, plastic one-quart zip-top bag.
Suntan & Sun Block Lotion: Lotions fall under the 3-1-1 procedures mentioned above. As well as the aerosol spray lotions. Sunblock sticks do not fall under this rule.
Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc. should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.
Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your other favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz. or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the 3-1-1 baggie.
Sporting Goods: Golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats (including the mini slugger bats), cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, bows and arrows, hockey sticks, scuba knives, spear guns, etc. are all prohibited from being carried onto the plane. However, you can have them checked as luggage.
Questions about TSA procedures and upcoming travel can be addressed to the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673 or @AskTSA on Twitter.
