♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" WHERE WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS THAT MAKE UP KENTUCKY'S LARGEST CITY.

THIS WEEK WE TAKE YOU TO LOUISVILLE'S MUHAMMAD ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

LAST YEAR THE AIRPORT SET A RECORD FOR ITS BUSIEST YEAR EVER WITH MORE THAN 4.8 MILLION PASSENGERS FLYING IN AND OUT OF LOUISVILLE.

I IT BRINGS WITH IT MORE THAN $10 BILLION IN TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT AND IT IS GROWING DRAMATICALLY, THE SDB NEXT PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN 2019 WITH A PLAN TO INVEST MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN UPGRADES IN NEW CONSTRUCTION.

TODAY WE SIT DOWN WITH DAN MANN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY WHO HAS A PLAN TO CHANGE THIS AIRPORT DRAMATICALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

BUT FIRST, A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF SDF.

BOWMAN FIELD WAS THE CITY'S FIRST AIRPORT UNTIL 1940S WHEN LOUISVILLE LEADERS REALIZED THE 400 ACRES OF AIRFIELD WOULD NOT HOLD THE FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION AS IT WAS RAPIDLY GROWING.

IN 1941 THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER BUILD ONE 4,000 FOOT NORTH TO SOUTH RUNWAY USED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AIRFIELD OPERATIONS AND AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING DURING WORLD WAR II.

IN 1947, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TURNED THE AIRPORT OVER TO THE AIR BOARD AND COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS OPENED AT THE FIELD OR SDF.

THE AIRPORT WAS NAMED AFTER Dr. DAVID STANDEFORD A LOCAL BUSINESS MAN AND LEGISLATOR WHO OWNED PART OF THE LAND IN WHICH THE AIRPORT WAS BUILT N. 1950, GROWING PAINS LED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF LEE TERMINAL AND THE AIRPORT CONTINUED EXPANDING THROUGH THE 50s.

BOARDING INCREASED FROM AROUND 600,000 PASSENGERS IN 1965 TO NEARLY A MILLION BY 1970.

THE MAIN LOBBY WAS EXTENDED, PARKING LOTS EXPANDED AND MULTIPLE NEW CONCOURSES CONSTRUCTED.

MORE DRAMATIC CHANGE IN THE 1980s WHEN THE NEW LAND SIDE TERMINAL REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TERP NATIONAL BUILDING AND UPS BEGAN A NEW OVERNIGHT DELIVERY BUSINESS IN LOCATED HUB OPERATIONS AT LOUISVILLE'S AIRPORT.

SOON THE FIELD OUTGREW ITSELF AND IN 1988 EMBARKED ON AN AM AMBITIOUS PLAN CALLED THE LOUISVILLE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, LIIP.

AND RELOCATING CLOSE TO 4,000 FAMILIES TO MAKE WAY FOR A LARGE SCALE EXPANSION.

THE 1990S AND THE000 BROUGHT MORE AIRLINES AND MORE CHANGES.

IN 1995, THE FIELD WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED LOUISVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

AND IN 2019, THE NAME WAS CHANGED AGAIN.

THIS TIME TO LOUISVILLE MUHAMMAD ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WHICH IT REMAINS TODAY.

DAN MANN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE ADD AND WE JUST SAW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE AIRPORT THAT IS REALLY FASCINATING.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HISTORY HERE THOUGH.

>> OH YEAH, SO I WAS A NAVIGATOR ON B-52s.

I JOINED THE MILITARY TO PAY FOR MY COLLEGE AND DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT RUNNING AIRPORTS AT THE TIME, BUT AFTER DESERT STORM, I GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY HAD A BUDDY OF MINE IN THE AIRPORT BUSINESS AND HE SAID HEY, COME TO THIS EVENT AND MEET SOME PEOPLE AND IT'S A GREAT GIG.

I STARTED OUT FROM THAT, GOT HIRED AS AN OPERATIONS PERSON IN IOWA AND THEN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

FIRST JOB AS AIRPORT DIRECTOR OUT IN WYOMING, BACK TO IOWA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

BUT ALL THIS TIME THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, THIS WAS MY DREAM JOB TO COME TO LOUISVILLE.

EVERYBODY SAYS WHY LOUISVILLE.

>> RIGHT.

>> LOUISVILLE AIRPORT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT.

I MEAN IT'S GOT STABILITY, POPULATION CARGO ACTIVITY THAT STABILIZES YOUR FINANCES.

MY MOM'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY WAS FROM KENTUCKY AND I KNEW ABOUT LOUISVILLE AT SOME POINT IN MY CAREER, IF I COULD EVER RUN THIS AIRPORT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

YEAH, I STARTED FROM B-52S AND BUSINESS MAJOR IN COLLEGE TO ULTIMATELY HAVING MY DREAM JOB HERE IN LOUISVILLE.

IT WAS A LONG TIME COMING.

IT TOOK A BIT TO GET HERE BUT I'M REALLY GLAD FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT YOU WANT TO BE IN THIS BUSINESS, IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT AND COULD ASK FOR IN AN AIRPORT THIS IS AIRPORT.

>> THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

WELL, SINCE YOU BECAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2018, A LOT HAS HAPPENED.

THEY HAVE HAD RECORD BUSY YEARS.

THIS WAS THE RECORD FOR BUSIEST YEARS AND FOUR OUT OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE BEEN THE BUSIEST, FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE YEARS SINCE 2019.

>> YES, I MEAN SO 2018, WHEN I WAS BEING RECRUITED TO COME HERE THEY TALKED ABOUT WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR THIS AIRPORT?

AND AGAIN, IT WAS MY DREAM JOB SO I HAD BEEN LOOKING AT LOUISVILLE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT THERE WAS POTENTIAL.

THERE WERE WAYS COULD YOU GROW AIR SERVICE AND DO THINGS WITH INFRASTRUCTURE SO I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET THEY SAID WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION.

I SAID TO BE THE BEST AIRPORT IN THE COUNTRY.

AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DO THAT?

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VISION.

GROW AIR SERVICE FIRST CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE, CONVENIENCE, THE CARGO SUPPORT, THE CARGO OPERATIONS BECAUSE THAT'S THE BLOOD OF JOBS IN THE REGION SO ALL THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT I WAS AFTER SO WE GET HERE IN 2018 I KNEW WE HAD AIR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY OR NON-STOPS, LOW COST CARRIERS.

THOSE WERE THE FIRST MISSIONS WHEN I GOT HERE LIKE WHAT CAN WE DO ON THE AIR SERVICE FRONT.

I KNEW THERE WOULD BE OPPORTUNITIES AND SO 2018 WAS A GOOD YEAR WE STARTED REPOSITIONING OURSELVES TO GROW AND HIRED AN AIR SERVICE GUY THAT WORKED FOR ME IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

I KNEW HE HAD A GREAT REPUTATION AND WE STARTED MAKING BUSINESS CASE IN 2019 WAS A RECORD SETTING YEAR SO FOR 2018 TO 2019 WE SET OUR FIRST RECORD.

STARTED GETTING LOW COST CARRIERS.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN NOBODY WAS REALLY FLYING, WE STARTED COMING OUT OF THAT, WE GO THE BRAND NEW AIRLINES, BREEZE AND SPIRIT CAME TO OUR MARKET.

WE STARTED BRINGING THE ULTRALOW COST CAPACITY INTO THE MARKET, WHICH MEANS PEOPLE QUIT DRIVING.

WE HAD 17 TO 18% LEAKAGE.

LEAKAGE IS WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE YOUR MARKET, THEY GO TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO START THEIR TRIP.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.

SO YOU START GETTING LOW COST CARRIERS, MORE NON-STOP DESTINATIONS, THE LEAKAGE RATE IS DOWN TO 7 TO 8%.

WE ARE OWNING OUR MARKET NOW.

WHICH MEANS WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO AIR SERVICE.

I THINK WE HAD 24-25 NON-STOPS IN 2018, WE HAVE 37 NON-STOPS TODAY AND THERE IS STILL ROOM TO GROW.

I MEAN BEE WORK ON TORONTO SERVICE, SEATTLE, MORE CAPACITY TO THE FLORIDA MARKETS.

EVERYBODY SAYS DON'T HAVE YOU ENOUGH TO FLORIDA?

YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY TO FLORIDA.

SO WE ALWAYS WORK ON THE FLORIDA MARKET THE SUCCESS HAS BEEN GREAT.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.

YOU HAVE TO BE SUPER INTENTIONAL WITH EVERYTHING YOU DO ON THE AIR SERVICE FRONT.

THE AIRLINES HAVE TO TRUST THE BUSINESS MODEL YOU HAVE.

YOU START OUT SLOW, YOU FILL IT UP WITH YOUR MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA TRAGEDIES AND WHEN YOU FILL THAT PLANE UP, YOU TRY AWE COUPLE MORE.

AND EVERY STEP OF THE WAY SINCE 2018, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FILL THE PLANES UP THAT THEY ADDED TO OUR MARKET.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PRIORITIES IN 2018 WAS LA, SAN FRANCISCO, BOSTON AND SEATTLE.

WE GOT L.A. SERVICE.

WE NOW HAVE BOSTON SERVICE.

SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE ON BREEZE AIRLSZ.

AND SEATTLE IS THE ONE CITY THAT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO CRACK.

WE MAKE A CASE FOR IT ALMOST DAILY WORKING ON THE SEATTLE, PROBABLY ALASKA AIR AND IT IS VERY PROMISING.

WHEN THEY GET SOME OF THE CAPACITY ISSUES AND PILOT SHORTAGE PROBLEMS, WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE PROFITABLE.

ALASKA AIRLINES KNOW IT WILL BE PROFITABLE.

IT'S TIMING RIGHT NOW BUT WE WILL FILL THE GAP AND THEN TO TORONTO AND SALT LAKE CITY AT SOME POINT BUILDING A FLIGHT FIS, WHICH IS THE CUSTOMS FACILITIES SO YOU CAN HAVE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE IN THE HOPPER AS WE MOVE FORWARD BUT IT'S PICKING THE LOW HANGING BASICALLY.

HOW DO WE ADD CAPACITY, LARGER AIRCRAFT, MORE NON-STOP DESTINATIONS.

PART OF THE THING, TOO, ON THE CAPACITY, IN 2018, 76% OF OUR FLIGHTS WERE ON SMALLER AIRCRAFT WITHOUT DUAL CLASS CABIN.

96% OF OUR FLIGHTS NOW HAVE DUAL CLASS CABIN.

WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THE BUSINESS CLASS TRAVELERS PAY MORE MONEY FOR THE COMFORT PLUS AND FIRST CLASS.

BUT THE OTHER PART, THERE IS A BUCKET OF SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE THAT ARE CHEAP AND SO WHEN YOU START SAYING I'M GOING TO VACATION, YOU WANT TO HAVE A BUCKET OF SEATS THAT ARE CHEAP SO THE BIGGER AIRCRAFT, THE MORE LEISURE SEATS YOU HAVE AND SO ALL OF THIS IS WORKING TO SUPPORT FUTURE GROWTH.

IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT 2018, I KNEW WE WOULD GROW AND BE BETTER.

ALL OF IT HAS HAPPENED QUICKER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD, BUT I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT MY DREAM AIRPORT IS GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS AAND WE HAVE REALLY HAD A GOOD RUN.

>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT GOES INTO SORT OF RECRUITING AN AIRLINE TO FLY OUT OF HERE OR OFFER ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS AND THAT'S INTERESTING HOW YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE BUSINESS CASE AND I WOULD ASSUME ONCE THEY SEE SOME OF THE FLIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, THAT THAT GETS THE BALL ROLLING, RIGHT.

>> HAVE YOU TO START SOMEWHERE MUCH AND WE ALWAYS HAD THE POPULATION BASE SO THERE IS ENOUGH PEOPLE LIVING HERE TO WARRANT GOOD AIR SERVICE SO THE POPULATION WAS A START DISPOSABLE INCOME, A LOT OF FACTORS GO INTO IT.

IT REALLY IS BUILDING A BUSINESS MODEL FOR EVERY INFLUENCE CITY YOU ASK FOR AND I THINK WE DO A GREAT JOB WITH THAT AND THE AIRLINES TRUST US.

WHEN WE SAY WE HAVE I MARKET THAT IS UNDER SERVED OR NOT SERVED AT ALL, WE PROBABLY MOVE UP THE LIST A LITTLE BIT, WE'LL TRY THAT IN LOUISVILLE AND SEE HOW IT WORKS.

IT IS STILL HARD TO COMPETE WITH SOME OF THE NEARBY CITIES, CINCINNATI AND NASHVILLE THAT ARE HUSHES.

IS THAT AN OPTION FOR LOUISVILLE TO EVER BE A HUB FOR AN AIRLINE.

>> I DON'T THINK SO MUCH THAT'S NOT HOW THE AIRLINES GROW ANYMORE SO THEY HAVE THEIR HUB AND SPOKE SYSTEM PRETTY MUCH SET AND IT REALLY IS-- THE HUBS HAVE REDUCED IF ANYTHING PROBABLY NOT, OUR CHANCES ARE THE MORE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE WHEN WE GET AN FISA AND FRANKLY COMPETING FOR AIR FARE.

IF YOU LOOK AT CINCINNATI, FOR INSTANCE, THEY MAY HAVE FOUR OR FIVE LOW COST AIRLINES COMPETING IN A MARKET WHERE WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY.

WE SAY IF YOU COME TO OUR MARKET, WE HAVE THE POPULATION AND LESS COMPETITION SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE.

WE CONTENTED-- WOE CONTEND THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IN OUR MARKET.

THAT HAS PROVEN OUT TIME AND AGAIN.

WE MAKE A GOOD CASE AGAINST OUR COMPETING AIRPORTS.

>> SO SPEAKING OF EXPANSIONS, THIS SDF NEXT PROJECT IS A $1 BILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

THIS IS HUGE AND IT'S ALREADY UNDER WAY SO A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HAVE ALREADY SEEN SOME OF THE CHANGES HAPPENING AT THE AIRPORT.

TELL US WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED AND THEN WHAT IS STILL AHEAD FOR THIS PROJECT.

>> WHAT IS FASCINATING ABOUT THIS, IT STARTED OUT AS A HUNDRED $00 MILLION PROGRAM AND WE JUST ADDED ZEROS.

>> IT KEEPS GROWING.

>> WHAT STARTED OUT AS CUSTOMER SERVICE.

WE HAVE TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I CALL IT THE NEXT MOST BROKEN THING.

WHAT IS THE NEXT MOST BROKEN THING, WE HAVE TO FIX THAT.

MOVING WALK WAYS, THEY HAVE TO WORK, RESTROOMS CLEAN AND FUNCTIONAL, JET BRIDGES HAVE TO WORK.

SO BAGGAGE BELTS.

WE STARTED LOOKING AT.

INITIALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY'RE 28, 29 YEARS OLD, THEY'RE STARTING TO BREAK AND WE CAN'T GET PARTS FOR THEM.

THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT WAS LET'S REPLACE THE THINGS THAT ARE OLD, OUTDATED.

I SAY FULLY DEPRECIATED AND MAKE SURE THEY WORK EVERY TIME THE CUSTOMER COMES TO THE ARIZONA STATE.

THAT'S HOW IT STARTED AND AS WE STARTED REPLACING MOVING WALK WAYS, ESCALATORS, ELEVATORS WE STARTED LOOKING AT OUR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS.

YOU KNOW THEY'RE OLD, TOO.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THOSE OUT.

YOU HAVE TO GET INTO THE CEILINGS AND THE BASEMENT AND SO WE BASICALLY JUST STARTED LOOKING AT EVERYTHING.

ONCE WE STARTED THAT INITIAL PHASE AND THE MORE WE LOOKED THE MORE OPPORTUNITY THERE WAS TO MAKE UPGRADES SO WE JUST REALLY SAY HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCE FOR THE FIRST TIME PERSON COMING TO LOUISVILLE SO THEY COME IN, THEY SAY OH MY GOSH, THIS PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL, DEFYING EXPECTATIONS AND THE FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE AND FLY OUT, MAKING SURE THEY CAN HAVE SECURE PARKING, CLOSE AND CONVENIENT.

THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT DROVE THIS.

SO FIRST PHASE MOVING WALK WAYS, ESCALATORS, ELEVATORS THAT MOVED INTO OUR GEOTHERMAL FIELD, HEATING AND COOLING.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AND SO THAT WAS IN A DESIGN PROCESS AND TATES CREEK ROAD HITS AND EVERYBODY STARTS-- AND COVID HITS AND THEN CIRCULATING THE AIR, THAT CHANGED HOW WE LOOK THE AOUR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS.

IT WENT FROM A LET'S PULL AND REPLACE TO COULD WE DO SOMETHING WITH GEOTHERMAL AND UPGREAT THAT WHERE WE SAVE MONEY BECAUSE IT'S SUPER EFFICIENT.

LIFESPAN 20-YEAR PROGRAM VERSUS 40 YEAR PROGRAM, BETTER CIRCULATION OF AIR.

FOUND IT WOULD WORK HERE.

AND THE GEOTHERMAL WELLS ARE LIKE 500 FEET IN THE GROUND.

THERE ARE 500 OF THEM.

, USES THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURE TO HEAT AND COOL AND THAT MOVES THROUGH THE TERMINAL.

REALLY, REALLY EFFICIENT.

AND IT MOVES THE AIR BETTER.

SO WE STARTED LOOKING AT THAT.

GOT SOME GRANTS TO HELP PAY FOR IT.

AND AS WE START PUTTING THAT IN, URP GRADE OUR LIEDING IF WE HAVE TO KNOCK OUT A WALL, BAGGAGE CLAIM.

OKAY WE HAVE THE RENTAL CARS RIGHT OVER HERE, LET'S REPLACE THE RENTAL CARS AND MOVE THEM INTO THE PARKING GARAGE BECAUSE THEY WERE OUTSIDE SO THE FIRST AGAIN, FIRST IMPRESSION, FIRST IMPRESSION BEFORE WAS I GOT TO GO OUT IN THE SNOW AND RAIN AND GET MY RENTAL CAR.

LET'S MOVE THEM IN THE GARAGE SO THEY CAN TAKE A TUNNEL TO THE GARAGE, SECURE, THEY NEVER HAVE TO BE EXPOSED TO THE WEATHER.

ALL OF THESE ITEMS WERE IMPROVEMENTS THAT AN AIRPORT OUR SIZE, PLUS IF WE WANT TO BE THE BEST AIRPORT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST FEATURES SO ALL THAT STARTED AND EVERY STEP ALONG THE WAY WE IDENTIFIED SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN MAKE BETTER AND SO YOU GO FROM 100 MILLION TO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT 250 MILLION.

AND AGAIN PHASE ONE HAS BEEN A LOT WITH RENTAL CARS AND GEOTHERMAL AND THE LAND SIDE OF THE AIRPORT, A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE MOVING TO THE AIR SIDE WHICH IS PROBABLY ANOTHER 400 MILLION.

ALONG THOSE LINES, WE HAVE GOT NEW CHECKPOINTS, A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE STARTED GROWING THE AIR SERVICE WITH FIVE CHECKPOINT LINES.

IN THE MORNINGS WE DIDN'T HAVE THE THREW PUT.

WE HAD MORE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH FIVE LANES THAN TSA COULD CLEAR IN FIVE LANES.

TWO OR THREE HOURS IN THE MORNING WERE A REAL STRUGGLE SO LET'S ADD A SIXTH LANE.

WE ADDED SIXTH LANE, HAD CAPACITY ISSUES, ADDED A 7th POPUP LINE ALONG THE TSA HAS BEEN GREAT PARTNERS.

THEY SAID YOU BUILD IT, WE WILL STAFF IT.

WE GOT THE SEVEN LANES BUT THEY'RE KIND OF PUT INTO CORNERS WHERE IT'S NOT THE MOST NOT THE BEST FOR THE CUSTOMER MUCH WE SAID LET'S GET GRANTS AND BUILD A BRAND NEW CHECKPOINT FACILITY.

RIGHT NOW THE DIRT HAS BROKEN.

WE HAVE 30,000 SQUARE FOOT EXPANSION.

GOING TO HAVE 10 LANES, STATE-OF-THE-ART, WITH THE SKY LIGHTS GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

GOING TO HAVE GREAT SECURITY EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT AND REALLY, REALLY FAST PEOPLE WANT TO CHECK IN.

I WANT TO GET FROM MY DOORSTEP TO MY TICKET COUNT ERR THROUGH CHECKPOINT IN 20 MINUTES.

IT WON'T BE THAT FAST BUT WITH 10 LANES FULLY STAFFED AND SUPPORTED BY TSA, IT WILL BE CONVENIENT.

IT WILL BE THE CONVENIENCE THAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR HOMETOWN AIRPORT.

PROBABLY A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE THAT IS OPEN.

RIGHT NEXT TO OUR BRAND NEW CHECKPOINT IS GOING TO BE A MICROGRID SYSTEM WHICH IS BASICALLY GENERATORS THAT WILL POWER THE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A CATASTROPHIC POWER FAILURE, WE CAN OPERATE THE TERMINAL FOR THREE DAYS WITH NO POWER.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE BATTERY BACKUP, SOLAR THAT FEEDS IT.

AGAIN, REALLY EFFICIENT.

IT WILL SAVE ON UTILITY BILLS, EVEN WHEN WE DON'T HAVE POWER OUTAGE, WE CAN USE THAT DURING THE START-UP PHASE SO WE STOP THE POWER SPIKES AND REALLY EXCITING STUFF.

AND THEN WE GET INTO THE AIR SIDE, CONCOURSE IMPROVEMENTS, 10 MORE NEW JET BRIDGES, WILL UPGRADE THE FURNITURE, MORE PLUG IN STATIONS, MORE TICKET COUNTERS, BETTER LIGHTING, CONTINUE WITH THE GEOTHERMAL TO CIRCULATE THE AIR BETTER, NEW CONCESSION SPACES.

IT'S GREAT.

FROM THERE WE DO THE EXTOO FAR YOUR WORK, ADDING A CANOPY, MOVING A ROAD.

IF YOU COME UP TO THE AIRPORT NOW, IT'S BENDY.

IT WILL BACK UP SO WE WILL TAKE THAT OUT, MOVING IT.

IT WILL BE BETTER FOR CAPACITY IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN YOU ARE PICKING PEOPLE UP IN BAGGAGE CLAIM, DROPOFF 5:30 IN THE MORNING, YOU DON'T HAVE THE BACKUP TRAFFIC.

SO A LOT OF IT IS JUST COMING BECAUSE IS GROWTH, TWO: WE ARE FIXING THINGS QOND THEIR USEFUL LIFE AND NEVER LOSING FOCUS THAT WE ARE IF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUSINESS.

>> A MASSIVE PROJECT.

>> IT IS A LOT.

SO WHEN WE STARTED FROM LIKE A TWO YEAR PROJECT $100 MILLION, WE ARE AT A BILLION DOLLARS, AND AGAIN WHEN IT'S DONE, IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE A NEW FACILITY.

>> WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?

>> WE ARE-- THE MAJOR PIECES OF IT WILL PROBABLY WRAP UP AROUND 2028.

THAT'S A LONG TIME FOR CONSTRUCTION.

>> IT IS A LONG TIME.

BUT THE PAIN OF NOW, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION, A LOT OF DETOURS, THOSE KINDS OF CHANGES, AND THE COST, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING IN THE LONG-TERM IS GOING TO END UP SAVING MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO THE GEOTHERMAL.

>> FROM A MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE TO JUST HAVING THINGS THAT WORK ALL THE TIME, THE CUSTOMER ASPECT, IT IS GOING TO BE MUCH BETTER THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND, WE HAVE GONE 250 MILLION IN AND WE HAVE 60 MILLION LESS DEBT.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE CASH FLOWING THIS.

WE ARE NOT ON THE TAX ROLLS PROPERTY TAXES AND STATE TAXES DON'T GO TO THAT.

WE GENERATE MONEY FOR THE STATE, 450 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM ACTIVITY FROM THE AIRPORT.

IT GOES BACK TO THE STATE.

WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT CREATING A TAX BURDEN.

SOMETHING I'M VERY PROUD OF.

WHY I THOUGHT LOUISVILLE WOULD BE THE DREAM JOB, THE ABILITY TO DO GREAT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR THE CUSS Mr. AND NOT USE TAX MONEY.

>> IMPACT THE AREA, TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT HERE NOT JUST LOCALLY BUT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND REGION.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF LOUISVILLE, I THINK PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED BECAUSE OF UPS AND WORLD PORT, IT'S THIRD BUSIEST CARGO AIRPORT IN NORTH AMERICA.

6th BUSIEST CARGO AIRPORT IN THE WORLD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT SIXTH BUSIEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

THAT'S AMAZING.

WE HAVE, UPS HAS AIRCRAFT COMING HERE AND MOVING GOODS AND SERVICES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

A LOT OF JOBS WITH THAT.

I THINK ONE IN EIGHT JOBS ARE BECAUSE OF THE AIRPORT IS HERE.

82,000 PEOPLE HAVE JOBS BECAUSE OF THIS COMPLEX, THIS LOGISTICS HUB.

IT IS REALLY, REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK, OKAY, THIS IS FLYING TO SEE GRANDMA ON THANKSGIVING.

IT REALLY IS A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

IT'S BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST TIME COMING HERE TO GROW BUSINESS.

IT'S THE LEISURE TRAVELERS AGAIN WE ARE NON-STOP SO THERE IS MORE LEISURE TRAVEL.

BUT THE FACT THAT WORLD PORT IS HERE REALLY DRIVES THE ECONOMY.

$10 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

IT IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

$450 MILLION GENERATED IN TAX FOR THE STATE.

SO IT'S A SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYER.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT LOUISVILLE WOULD LOOK LIKE IF IT DIDN'T HAVE THE AIRPORT AND WORLD PORT.

IT'S AN AMAZING CONTRIBUTION JUST THE JOBS ALONE, AND THE LOGISTICS JOBS OUT THERE.

WE HAVE THE NATIONAL GUARD, TSA, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER, OUR FIXED BASE OPERATOR THAT FUELS AND WORKS ON AIRCRAFT, ALL THOSE JOBS ARE HERE SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING OUT AT THE AIRPORT.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS WELL POSITIONED TO OFFER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WHICH I KNOW YOU MENTIONED FOR CONSUMERS OR REGULAR PEOPLE, I WOULD SAY.

I KNOW THAT'S KIND OF A GOAL.

HOW REALISTIC IS THAT IN THE FUTURE?

SO 2018, WE GOT INITIAL DESIGNS FOR WHAT WOULD, THE FIS LOOK LIKE.

HOW MANY GATES, WHERE WOULD YOU BUILD IT?

WE GOT ABOUT 30% DESIGN AND ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS KIND OF MOVED UP ON THE PRIORITY LIST.

IT IS STILL OUT THERE.

WE THINK PROBABLY 2027, I'VE GOT A TEAM RIGHT NOW NEXT MONTH THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING OUT TO OTHER AIRPLANES VISITING IT FIS, COLORADO SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA CITY, SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT AND SAYING WHAT ARE THE LESSONS LEARNED WHEN WE BUILD THESE.

WE RECOGNIZE IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE LESSON DAILY, TO LEISURE DESTINATIONS, DERBY TIMEFRAME WILL PROBABLY BE SOME EUROPEAN TRAVEL COMING IN BECAUSE THAT'S JUST SUCH A BIG DRAW.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT AGAIN THERE IS AN EXPECTATION IF YOU ARE AN AIRPORT OUR SIZE OR COMMUNITY OUR SIZE THAT HAVE YOU INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.

SO IT'S MOVING UP THE PRIORITY LIST AS WE FINISH THE NEXT MOST BROKEN THING PRETTY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL BE MOVING ON THIS IN THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF AND BUILDING IT.

WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 30,000 SQUARE FEET AND GOING TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING TERMINAL PROBABLY TWO JET BRIDGES, TWO GATES.

PART OF THE REASON IT'S MOVING UP ON THE LIST WE HAVE SO MUCH DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL AT THAT TIME WE CAN MAKE THE DOMESTIC GATES AND WITH WE HAVE LEISURE, THROW THE SWITCH AND TURN IT INTO AN INTERNATIONAL GATES ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES AND TURN IT BACK INTO DOMESTIC SO WE CAN PARK OUR ULTRALOW COST CARRIERS, SPIRIT, BREEZE ON THESE INTERNATIONAL HUBS AND USE IT AS DOMESTIC CAPACITY.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF REASONS WE ARE DOING IT.

PREAR EX-- WE ARE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT IS MOVING UP THE LIST.

>> THAT'S EXCITING.

>> UP NEXT, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT IS LIKE BEHIND THE SCENES IN CHRISTIE DUTDTON TAKES TO US THE PLACES PASSENGERS DON'T NORMALLY GET TO GO AT THE LOUISVILLE AIRPORT.

>> WELCOME TO LOUISVILLE.

>> FROM THE TICKET COUNTER TO TAKEOFF.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BUILT INTO THE AIRPORT.

YOU DON'T REALLY SEE IT.

>> HIDDEN INNER WORKINGS THAT HELP YOU GET FROM DEPARTURE TO DESTINATION.

AT THE LOUISVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES THAT YOU MAY NOT THINK ABOUT.

FOR INSTANCE WHEN YOU CHECK YOUR BAG, IT STARTS THIS JOURNEY ALONG A MAZE OF CONVEYOR BELTS AND RAMPS THAT TAKE IT THROUGH THE AIRPORT, TO HERE TO THE FINAL CONVEYOR BELT WHERE IT IS THEN LOADED ON TO THE AIRPORT.

MAKING SURE THINGS RUN EFFICIENTLY IS V.P.

OF OPERATIONS MEGHAN.

>> ANY AIRLINE CAN USE ANY BAG BELT SO THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU GET TO BAGGAGE CLAIM WHICH BAG BELT YOUR BAG IS GOING TO BE ON BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT WHICH ONE IS AVAILABLE.

WE WANT TO GET YOUR BAG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> IN FACT, EVERY NEW PROJECT... >> THIS IS A GOOD CONSTRUCTION DAY.

>> HAS A STRATEGIC GOAL.

>> WE ARE MAKING THE BUILDING OPERATE CHEAPER.

>> TO CUT ENERGY COSTS, THE AIRPORT INSTALLED A GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM THAT PUMPS WATER THROUGH A NETWORK OF PIPES DEEP UNDER GROUND AND UP INTO THE AIRPORT.

>> THIS MAKES IT SO MUCH CHEAPER BECAUSE WE ARE NOT HAVING TO USE ENERGY.

WE ARE NOT HAVING TO USE ELECTRICITY OR GAS TO HEAT THE WATER OR TO COOL THE WATER.

WE ARE JUST LETTING THE EARTH DO ALL THE WORK.

>> THAT SAVES THE AIRPORT MONEY AND COULD HELP GET MORE TRAVELERS INTO AIRPLANE MODE.

>> SO IF OUR COSTS TO DO BUSINESS IS LOW HERE, THAT MAKES US VERY COMPETITIVE AND VERY APPEALING TO THE AIR SERVICE PROVIDERS, THE AIRLINES, THAT WANT TO SAY WHERE SHOULD I PUT THIS FLIGHT?

I KNOW I CAN SERVE THESE PEOPLE AND THESE PEOPLE AND I CAN DO IT FROM THIS AIRPORT OR THIS AIRPORT.

LET'S PICK THE ONE WHERE THE COSTS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE.

>> AND JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE COSTS ARE THE CUSTOMERS.

>> WE HAVE REALLY TAKEN A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BEING IN THE GAME WITH THEM.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELERS ENCOUNTER SOME TURBULENCE.

>> A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS IN AIRPORTS AND IN TRAVEL IS THAT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THE BALL GETS DROPPED, PASSENGERS ARE LOOKING FOR, OKAY, WHO IS GOING TO HELP ME NEXT.

WHO IS GOING TO HELP ME FIND WHAT MY NEXT MOVE IS.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE LOUISVILLE AIRPORT OPERATION CENTER SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS.

>> WE TAKE THAT PASSENGER PART PROBABLY A LITTLE FURTHER THAN MOST AIRPORTS YOU WOULD SEE IN AN AIRPORT OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.

FOUNDATIONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY.

WE PUT CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND PASSENGER EXPERIENCE RIGHT UP THERE WITH THOSE THINGS.

>> EVEN SMALL DETAILS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE PASSENGERS WELCOMING HINTS OF HOME LIKE THE BACK LIGHTS IN BAGGAGE CLAIM.

>> THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE INDICATIVE OF LOOKING OUT OVER A KENTUCKY PASTURE AT THE SUN RISE.

>> EVEN THE BATHROOM WALLS ARE DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE KENTUCKY LIMESTONE.

AND SINCE LOUISVILLE IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCERS OF DISCO BALLS... >> THAT'S YOUR ODE TO THE DISCO BALL.

>> A SHINING REMINDER THAT WHEREVER YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

FOR "INSIDE LOUISVILLE," I'M CHRISTIE DUTTON.

>> YOU CAN SEE MORE BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND SHARE THIS EPISODE STREEPING ONLINE AT KET.ORG/"INSIDE LOUISVILLE."

PLUS NOW THAT SDF NO LONGER STANDS FOR THE NAME OF THE AIRPORT, WILL THE CALL LETTERS CHANGE?

YOU CAN GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOW US AT KET IN LOU.

THANKS FOR SPENDING TIME GETTING TO KNOW LOUISVILLE.

HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

UNTIL THEN, MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪