Airport partners with The Arc San Francisco and United Airlines for educational program

SFO hosted its latest Ready Set Fly event on September 10 to provide a real-world experience of air travel to individuals and families with autism and developmental disabilities.  The event, developed in partnership with The Arc San Francisco, provided guidance and specialized support to families as they participated in an air travel practice.

Now in its second year at SFO, Ready Set Fly is unique among airport programs supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities because of the extensive educational component and the focus on clinical and behavioral strategies to ensure success.  Within three days of announcing the latest Ready Set Fly event, The Arc San Francisco reached its goal of 60 participating families.

SFO has previously partnered with The Arc San Francisco to provide training and education for airport staff for this specific program.  The half-day event began with a workshop with helpful specialists’ tips for traveling with disabilities, from accessing special assistance at the airport to clinical strategies for air travel success.  Next, attendees proceeded through the ticket counter and security checkpoint process, making their way to a departure gate to board a United Airbus aircraft with its engines running, where they buckled up and had a real feel for air travel…without ever leaving the ground.

“We are proud to once again offer this unique educational experience at SFO,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero.  “Our goal is to be an exceptional airport in service to our communities, and the Ready Set Fly program demonstrates our commitment to make air travel easier and more accessible to all.  We thank our partners at The Arc San Francisco and United Airlines for making this latest event possible.”

“Traveling through an airport can be overwhelming at times for any customer,” said Mike Hanna, Vice President of United’s San Francisco hub.  “The Ready Set Fly program gives families the confidence to be better prepared to travel, but it also gives our employees an invaluable opportunity to understand how to best alleviate anxiety and create an enjoyable experience for these valuable customers.”

For more information about the program, visit Ready, Set, Fly.

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SFO Details New Enhancements to Improve On-Time Performance

Airport hosted test of new technologies to allow more efficient use of existing runways

SFO provided a briefing to the San Francisco Airport Commission regarding new procedures and new technologies designed to improve the airport’s on-time performance.

In August 2016, SFO hosted a demonstration of a new Global Positioning System (GPS) landing system.  The demonstration, conducted in partnership with Boeing, the FAA, and several airlines, promised new precision approaches into SFO which would result in further reduction in weather-related delays.

In 2005, SFO launched the use of a Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA), allowing use of the airport’s two parallel runways during certain types of low visibility conditions.  In 2013, SFO launched a new FAA procedure, known as Closely-Spaced Parallel Runways (CSPR), which greatly increased the airport’s ability to use two runways during poor weather.  These enhancements allowed SFO to achieve a 75% arrival rate in 2015, a year of record passenger volumes at the airport.

SFO is made up of two sets of parallel intersecting runways, which are separated by only 750 feet.  During clear weather conditions, aircrafts can land side-by-side at a rate of up to 60 aircraft per hour.  However, in periods of low visibility and fog, aircraft were historically required to utilize a single runway for landing, cutting the arrival rate in half to 30 landings per hour.  Working with the FAA and airlines, SFO has already benefited from a series of initiatives to improve on-time performance allowing the use of the two runways.

For more information about how weather conditions impact on-time performance at SFO, visit the weather impact page.

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Flight Arrivals:  Upcoming Service Additions at SFO

Airline	Destination	New Flights	Effective Date	Notes
	Mexico City (MEX)	4 / week	October 10	New route for airline; Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays
	Shanghai (PVG)	7 / week	October 14	Second daily
	Auckland (AKL)	7 / week	October 28	Increase to daily
	Singapore (SIN)	7 / week	October 23	New nonstop route for airline
	London (LHR)	7 / week	October 28	Seasonal service; second daily
	Beijing (PEK)	3 / week	October 30	Additional seasonal service; Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays
	Panama City (PTY)	7 / week	November 6	Increase to second daily
	Delhi (DEL)	3 / week	November 21	Increase to daily service except Tuesdays
	Nadi (NAN)	2 / week	December 1	Additional seasonal service; Thursdays & Sundays
	Manila (MNL)	3 / week	December 9	Additional seasonal service; Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
	Miami (MIA)	7 / week	December 16	New domestic route for airline
	Kalispell (FCA)	1 / week	December 17	New seasonal service on Saturdays

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 A Modern Approach: Mid-Century Design

Mid-twentieth-century modern design balanced expression with efficiency and utility.  Geared towards everyday living, modern design redefined housewares, furniture, and decorative arts.  The form of each object followed its function, with innovative construction methods finished in natural tones and bold colors.  Working in the spirit of their time, mid-century designers created items that lent style and comfort to the necessities of modern life.

Mid-century designers announced the modern era through clear and concise use of new materials such as plastic, aluminum, and molded plywood.  The husband-and-wife team of Charles (1907–78) and Ray (1912–88) Eames implemented the brilliance of good design on the greatest scale, with more than two million of their fiberglass chairs sold through Herman Miller by 1966.  On the other end of the spectrum, art and design converged in unique artisan and craft items to personalize modern interiors.  Overall, mid-century designers introduced a multitude of new products for modern living, and their best designs stood effortlessly on their own or harmoniously within a group.  This exhibit presents a sampling of modern design from the 1930s to the 1960s through examples of mid-century studio art, graphic design, and manufactured goods.

A Modern Approach: Mid-Century Design is located pre-security in the International Terminal Main Hall Departures Lobby, San Francisco International Airport.  This exhibition is accessible to all airport guests from August 27, 2016 to April 9, 2017.

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SFO Recognized for Excellence in Disclosure

SFO was recognized by the National Federation of Municipal Analysts (NFMA) for Excellence in Disclosure.  NFMA presented its annual industry awards in Chicago.  Established in 1984, each year the Awards Committee convenes to determine which individuals or entities further the goals of the NFMA for the advancement of the municipal bond industry.  This year’s Awards Committee Chairman, Jennifer Johnston of Franklin Templeton, presided over the ceremony.

“San Francisco International Airport serves as an example for outstanding disclosure through its timely and very comprehensive disclosure,” according to Ms. Johnston, adding that “Management is accessible and candid, not just on an ongoing basis, but also when communicating with investors during challenging times such as after the Asiana Airlines crash.”

Established in 1983, the NFMA is an organization of nearly 1,400 members, primarily research analysts, who evaluate credit and other associated risks in the municipal market.  These individuals represent, among others, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokers/dealers, bond insurers, rating agencies, and financial advisory firms.

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Why We Fly Passenger Spotlight

We caught Cathy by Mission Bar and Grill in Terminal 3, on her layover from Beijing to Los Angeles.  She was on her phone, but as we approached, she looked up expectantly.  Where other passengers sometimes seemed confused or timid at the thought of being featured on airport social media, Cathy acted like nothing was out of the ordinary.

She spent the summer in Beijing, China interning for GQ and was on her way back to LA for her sophomore year of college at CSU Northridge.  Though it is her second year, this flight will take her to LA for the first time in four years.  She explained that she was transferring from Michigan State University, and had only previously been to the United States 4 years ago during high school on a homestay program.

Her major is Film Studies.  Why?  She explained, “I love the way audiences react to the media.”  Cathy seemed eager to start school adding that after watching the 2016 Olympics, she was quite inspired to join a school athletic team, although she isn’t sure what sport she’d like to participate in.  “Right now, I just enjoy dancing!”

We hope you have a great semester Cathy!

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