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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Idaho Falls airport director leaving for new job in Hawaii

Idaho Falls Regional Airport Director Craig Davis has announced he is resigning from his position, to take a job with the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Airports Division of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Davis has been airport director since October 2012.

Under his tenure, the airport has passed the annual FAA safety inspection with zero discrepancies – the highest rating a commercial airport can receive. The rating also came with comments and accolades for IDA’s efficiency, management and overall safety. It has requested and received multiple federal grants for airport improvements and expansions: $2.5 million for the south terminal expansion, $2.4 million for the south quad ramp expansion, $2.3 million for the commercial ramp expansion and de-icing pad, $9 million for the Taxiway A, C and Runway 2/20 rehabilitation project, and $3.6 million for the baggage claim expansion project, which will take place this summer.

The airport operates from the city’s enterprise fund as a financially self-sustaining entity. In 2016, new revenue streams were created for the airport by adding three new corporate hangars and a new Enterprise Rent-a-car storage and maintenance facility. Other accomplishments include a successful Runway 17/35 Planning Study that will result in maintaining the runway use and increase safety. IDA also extended its aircraft rescue and specialized aircraft firefighting to 24-hour coverage, making it much safer for pilots who must land after-hours.

Davis oversaw the launch of IDA’s rebranding project, part of a comprehensive air service-marketing plan aimed at increasing awareness of the airport’s offerings within the community.

“While I am very sad to see him go, I am very happy to have had his expertise and leadership here at the city serving to build our airport over these past six years,” Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper said. “Craig worked tirelessly to attract and expand flights to the area, including new flights to Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, recently striking a tentative deal with Alaska Airlines to begin a non-stop flight to Seattle. He knew that bringing competition to the IDA marketplace could result in lower airfares.”