The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is the independent government agency that owns and operates the four airports of Jacksonville, Florida, US. It was established in 2001 after being branched off of the Jacksonville Port Authority.
History
Jacksonville airports were under the purview of the Port Authority since the Jacksonville Port Authority (JPA) was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in 1963.[2] Their charter directed the authority to develop, maintain, and market Jacksonville's port facilities while operating like a business. In May 2001, the Florida Legislature approved the restructuring of the Jacksonville Port Authority into two separate entities (City J-Bill-1104): the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) and the Jacksonville Seaport Authority, effective October 1, 2001.[3][4]
The JAA is controlled by a seven-member Board of Directors. Three are appointed by the Mayor of Jacksonville, and four are selected by the Florida Governor. Board members are limited to two consecutive terms of four years. The board meets monthly in open meetings.[5] Day-to-day operations are handled by a management team consisting of an Executive Director/CEO, a Chief Operating Officer, and a Chief Financial Officer.[6]
Scope
Jacksonville's airport system, including the runways, hangars, terminal buildings, air cargo areas, airport grounds, and road connections to the public highway system is owned and maintained by JAA, which also manages their overall use. The airlines, rental car companies, and terminal concessionaires pay lease and rental fees to JAA for the right to operate out of the airport. This revenue funds the day-to-day operations so that public tax dollars are not required.[4] For fiscal year 2010, they reported net income of $20.4 million and assets of $436.7 million.[7]
Security
JAA also has its own airport security department that included 26 sworn officers in 2010. The JAA briefly considered disbanding its internal force in 2009, asking Sheriff John Rutherford for cost estimates if the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office began patrolling airport properties. The following year, the JAA board of directors chose to expand their own police department by hiring 9 more officers.[8]
They also work together with the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration to provide safe and secure facilities for all aviation users.[9]
Volunteers
The Airport Ambassador Program is a service established in 1998. It is staffed by volunteers who provide information to travelers and directions around the airport facility.[10]
Beginning in 2009, Ambassadors began a project to hand out flowers to travelers on Valentine's Day and Mothers Day. On February 14, 2011, over a thousand red, white and pink carnations were
given as a gesture of goodwill for Jacksonville.[11]
Rebranding
2011 marked the 10th anniversary of the authority, which announced a major public relations campaign in late 2010 to bring attention to Jacksonville's airport system. The authority's logo was changed dramatically, as was the logo for all four airports, three of which were renamed.
- Herlong Airport → Herlong Recreational Airport
- Cecil Field → Cecil Airport
- Craig Municipal Airport → Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport
The websites for all JAA entities were redesigned as well.[12]
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