HUNTSVILLE – One of the new faces we will see in executive positions at major Huntsville institutions in 2023 is, in reality, not a new face at all.
Butch Roberts, the CEO at the Port of Huntsville/Huntsville International Airport, has been with the airport for 36 years.
While succeeding retired CEO Rick Tucker, Roberts has been there all of Tucker’s time as CEO.
“I’ve been number two for as long as Rick has been number one, so I’ve been involved in everything and see no reason to come in and change a world built on success,” he said. “I see this as a great opportunity. Success is a good thing so we will continue growing and build on that success.”
In his own right, he is on several important state committees, including the Alabama Space Authority board appointed by the governor. Roberts is active with the Aviation Council of Alabama, working with airport officials statewide to make things happen throughout the state.
His goals have not changed – he wants HSV to be the airport of choice for people in the 18-county service area.
“The airport master plan keeps up with growth points,” he said. “We want to be preferred by passengers because of our great customer service. We want to also help the Jetplex and intermodal (center) stay in front of the growth.”
The airport has three projects coming up.
The board has approved renovations to the concourse at the escalators. It has been 30 years since the last renovation of the concourse and, according to Roberts, this one will be a first-class operation, done all in glass with additional escalators.
“Two up and two down escalators will give us the redundancy we need if one of them breaks down, and it prepares us for future growth,” said Roberts. “It won’t be disruptive to people, but we will build ramps for people to walk around the closed construction area.
“That will get people’s attention but shouldn’t affect their ability to get in and out,” he said of the 16-month project starting in the spring.
Also, the Port of Huntsville has entered into a contract with Signature Flight Support HSV for a $12 million upgrade, redoing the entire storefront. The airport recently approved 60% of the architectural drawings for the two-month-long project.
“Signature is important to us because it is the first image people from all over the country see when they come to Huntsville for the FBI’s Hazardous Device school,” said Roberts.
The Port of Huntsville is also building a 111,000 square-foot air cargo facility for an international carrier which signed a 5-year lease in the Jetplex.
The Jetplex had one its best years ever during the pandemic, Roberts said. At least three companies built warehouses and they are already at capacity.
“The airport park is about 3,000 acres but we have a lot of land set aside for compatible land development around the airport,” said Roberts. “We are only at 30% capacity with two parallel runways, so we are postured for growth without increasing costs to anybody.”
Roberts said travel is back to about 85% of it was in 2019 before COVID. He said the number would be higher if everyone on Redstone Arsenal were back at work.
The business-versus-leisure market is split about 70-30 and 70% of leisure travel is back, he said. It increasing since COVID with people wanting to go somewhere and do something fun. There is also a trend toward “have leisure fun time with your business travel”.
“Getting back to 2019 levels is the trigger for building a third, new parking deck,” said Roberts. “That will probably be our next big project as long as we continue to grow like we expect.”
The airport has a five-year license to land Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser spaceplane but the facility is also seeking an extended license to land any commercial aircraft from space.
“Some people think a spaceport means spacecraft can take off from it and land in the ocean,” Roberts said. “Spaceport status does not allow for vertical takeoff. It would be for landing a commercial spaceplane like the space shuttles and Dream Chaser. Without our parallel runways, it would not be possible.
“Commercializing space is huge – we’re just looking for a mission.”
The Dream Chaser is expected to be flying by 2024.
With new leadership coming into Congress and Sen. Richard Shelby retired, how will that affect future projects at the airport?
“No doubt Shelby’s longevity and support of our airport and of Alabama has been beneficial so he will be missed,” said Roberts. “But he supported things that made sense and we don’t ask for just anything.
“I anticipate with (Sens.) Katie Britt, Tommy Tuberville and (Rep.) Dale Strong in there, we will be able to continue funding good projects.”
He also expects growth from industrial prospects, most it from private investment – not the federal government.
And he said Breeze Airways is one of the best things to happen to the airport.
“Breeze is really a first-class operation, started right in the midst of COVID,” Roberts said. “Every one of their planes here are brand new Airbus A220s made in Mobile and, last month, Breeze’s load factor was 75%, which is just where they want to be.”
The strategy he said is to continue growing so airlines, including Breeze, can add direct flights to different destinations.
Ultimately, the future is straightforward for HSV, he said.
“If we need more parking, we will provide it; if we need more concessionaires, we will get that; but with growth comes more passengers, which makes it easier to get more flights,” Roberts said. “Change your habits. Think about Huntsville as your travel hub, book early, be flexible, and, over time, there will be more flights because airlines are in business to make money and when they fill seats, they add flights.”
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