gaining altitude Halifax <strong>International</strong> Airport Authority’s 2002 annual report describes the difficult climb back to financial stability after the catastrophic events of 2001. It celebrates a remarkable achievement in the face of immense downward pressures that, like wind shear, threatened to cut short the ascent. Gaining altitude is not the end of the journey but the point at which the early efforts to produce speed, momentum and lift are complete and the journey is under way.
a journey to new heights Halifax <strong>International</strong> Airport Authority 2002 Annual Report Message from the Chairman At the end of 2002, the board of directors and staff of Halifax <strong>International</strong> Airport Authority (HIAA) are able to look back on our first three years of operation with a real sense of accomplishment. The turbulence caused by the events of 2001 has at least temporarily abated, and our recovery is well under way. On behalf of HIAA’s board of directors, I commend airport authority employees for their hard work in bringing the organization back on a solid financial footing in the face of enormous challenges. The board made a number of critical decisions in 2002, always mindful of the impact these decisions would have on the organization’s ability to rebound despite crushing industry losses. When you face such adversity, it is important to be able to rely on the people around you to help you make the best decisions. I am fortunate to work with an extremely talented and experienced board with a deep understanding of the industry and with years of leadership experience. Our board is comprised of CEOs and senior officers from some of Atlantic Canada’s leading organizations, including executives with extensive air transportation industry experience. These directors bring to HIAA diverse skills and expertise in corporate governance, law, human resources, accounting, real estate and facilities, engineering, and marketing. At the outset, the board created an organization founded on sound and proven business principles: accountability, transparency and good governance. Our priorities were to: • build a framework for success by incorporating the disciplines and business practices necessary to support the continued growth and stability of the organization; • build a strong leadership team to create an environment that motivates and energizes our people; and • invest wisely in the airport’s infrastructure to ensure we are equipped to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. It is this early foundation that has guided our decision-making, particularly during times of great upheaval. In 2002, we made many tough decisions and presided over the difficult work of cutting costs and the ensuing impacts on staff. But there were also times of celebration. In December, I was delighted to take part, along with the Honourable Myra Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and Mayor Peter Kelly, in the official opening of our new domestic arrivals area. Once an overcrowded and aging facility, it is now a welcoming and stunning introduction to our region. Indeed, when I look back at our achievements over the past three years, it is the growth and development of the HIAA team and the transformation of the facilities that give me the greatest satisfaction. Halifax <strong>International</strong> Airport was the first major airport in Canada to show signs of recovery after the extraordinary challenges of 2001. That speaks volumes about the strength and maturity of the organization. It is a clear sign that we are, indeed, gaining altitude. In 2002, Reg Milley was appointed vice chair of the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) just as I was completing my term as chair of that organization’s Council of Chairs. HIAA continued to work diligently throughout the year to protect the community’s interests in the development of the Canada Airports Act and to lobby the federal government to revisit its policy on rent. Because of its active involvement at the executive level of the CAC, the airport authority continues to have a strong voice on issues of national concern. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express our appreciation – and congratulations – to Arthur Pickup, QC, who resigned in December following his appointment to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Justice Pickup was a founding member of our board and has made a major contribution to the success of the airport authority. Good decisions stand the test of time. While no one knows what tomorrow will bring, world events and the ongoing volatility in the air transportation industry will continue to test us and our ability to make the best decisions under difficult circumstances. I am confident that the airport authority has the solid foundation, the necessary discipline, the sound practices, and the committed people to ensure that it continues to thrive long into the future. Bernie Miller, Chairman Halifax <strong>International</strong> Airport Authority Board of Directors 3
Change language