Spokane airport ranks second for on-time departure

Spokane International Airport had the second-best on-time departure record among all U.S. airports in 2009, according to Airports Council International.

Only Portland International Airport had a better record, airport Manager Neal Sealock told directors Wednesday at their monthly meeting.

Flights pushed away from Spokane gates on time 86.42 percent of the time, compared with a 86.68 percent record for Portland.

Sealock said Spokane ranked 14th for on-time arrivals, timing over which the airport has little or no control.

In a brief meeting, the board approved a new contract with the airport’s 15 police officers, four of whom are sergeants.

They will receive no pay raise for 2010 – the old contract expired Dec. 31 – but will get one-time $500 checks. Over the next three years, pay will increase a cumulative 7 percent, and the airport contribution to dependent medical benefits will increase to 60 percent from 55 percent.

By July 1, 2013, top scale for officers will be $28.59 per hour, and $32.13 per hour for sergeants.

Staff report