Airport Planning

The planning of an airport is such a complex

process that the analysis of one activity
without regard to its effects on other
activities will not provide acceptable
solutions.
An airport encompasses a wide range of
activities which have different and often
conflicting requirements. Yet they are
interdependent so that a single activity may
limit the capacity of the entire complex.
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Airport Planning
Types and levels of Airport Planning Studies

Many different types of studies are performed

in aviation and airport planning.
These include studies related to facility
planning, financial planning, traffic and
markets, economics, and the environment.
However, each of these studies can usually
be classified as being performed at one of the
three levels: the system planning level, the
master planning level, or the project planning
level.
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Airport Planning
The Airport System Plan

An airport system plan is a representation of the

aviation facilities required to meet the immediate and
future needs of a metropolitan area, region, state, or
country.
The system plan represents the recommendations for
the general location and characteristics of new
airports and heliports and the nature of expansion for
existing ones to meet forecasts of aggregate
demand.
The system plan identifies the aviation role of
existing and recommended new airports and
facilities. It includes the timing and estimated costs
of development, and it relates airport system
planning to the policy and objectives of the relevant
jurisdiction.
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Airport Planning
The Airport System Plan

(cont..)

Its overall purpose is to determine the extent,

type, nature, location, and timing of airport
development needed to establish a viable,
balanced, and integrated system of airports.
It also provides the basis for definitive and
detailed airport planning such as that
contained in the airport master plan.
The airport system plan provides both broad
and specific policies, plans, and programs
required to establish a viable and integrated
system of airports to meet the needs of the
region.
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Airport Planning
The Airport System Plan

(cont)

The objectives of the system plan include:

The orderly and timely development of a system of airports

adequate to meet present and future aviation needs and to
promote the desired pattern of regional growth relative to
industrial, employment, social, environmental, and
recreational goals.
The development of aviation to meet its role in a balanced
and multimodal transportation system and to foster the
overall goals of the area as reflected in the transportation
system plan and comprehensive development plan.
The protection and enhancement of the environment
through the location and expansion of aviation facilities in a
manner which avoids ecological and environmental
impairment.
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Airport Planning
The Airport System Plan

(cont)

The objectives of the system plan include:

The provision of the framework within which specific airport

programs may be developed consistent with short- and longrange airport system requirements.
The implementation of land-use and airspace plans which
optimize these resources in an often constrained
environment.
The development of long-range fiscal plans and the
establishment of priorities for airport financing within the
government budgeting process.
The establishment of the mechanism for the implementation
of the system plan through the normal political framework,
including the necessary coordination between governmental
agencies, involvement of both public and private aviation
and navigation interests, and compatibility with the content,
standards, and criteria of existing legislation.
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Airport Planning
The Airport Master Plan

An airport master plan is a concept of the ultimate

development of a specific airport. The plan presents
the development concept graphically and contains
the data and rationale upon which the plan is based.
Master plans and master plan updates are prepared
to support modernization of existing airports and the
creation of new airports.
The overall objective of the airport master plan is to
provide guidelines for future development which will
satisfy aviation demand in a financially feasible
manner and will be compatible with the environment,
community development, and other modes of
transportation.
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Airport Planning
The Airport Master Plan

(cont)

More specifically it is a guide for:

Developing the physical facilities of an

airport.
Developing land on and adjacent to the
airport.
Determining the environmental effects of
airport construction and operations.
Establishing access requirements.
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Airport Planning
The Airport Master Plan

More specifically it is a guide for:

(cont)

(cont..)

Establishing the technical, economic, and financial

feasibility of proposed developments through a
thorough investigation of alternative concepts.
Establishing a schedule of priorities and phasing
for the improvements proposed in the plan
Establishing an achievable financial plan to
support the implementation schedule
Establishing a continuing planning process which
will monitor conditions and adjust plan
recommendations as circumstances warrant.
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Airport Planning
The Airport Project Plan

An airport project plan is a detailed plan of the specific

development planned in the immediate future for an
airport.
The project plan focuses on specific elements of the
airport master plan which are to be implemented in the
short term and which may include such items as the
addition of new runway, modification of existing runways,
provision of taxiways or taxiway exits, addition of gates,
addition to or renovation of terminal building facilities, or
modification of ground access facilities.
The overall objectives of the airport project plan is to
provide the specific details of the development identified
in the airport master plan that will satisfy immediate
aviation needs and will be consistent with the objectives
and constraints identifies in the airport master plan.
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Airport Planning
The Airport Project Plan

(cont)

More specifically, the project plan is a detailed plan for:

Developing the specific physical facilities at an airport

including the architectural and engineering design for these
facilities.
Assessing the environmental effects of this development
through the construction and operational phases
Determining the detailed costs and financially planning the
development
Establishing a schedule for the construction and phasing of
the specific items of development in the plan.

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Elements of an Airport Planning

Study

Coordination

Airport planning efforts draw widespread interest from

citizens, community organizations airport users, area-wide
planning agencies, and conservation groups.
If these groups are not used in a coordinated, consultative,
advisory role at critical stages in the plan development, the
plan will likely be unsuccessful when it is presented to the
public.
Interested parties should be brought in early in the plan
development and should be given access to all relevant
information.
This process allows vital issues and concerns to be raised
and resolved in the planning process and often assists in
ultimate acceptance of the plan.
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Elements of an Airport Planning

Study (cont)

Content

The content of an airport plan varies in both level of detail and

specific requirements depending upon the type of planning effort
undertaken.
However, the system plan and master plan should include at least
the following elements:
An inventory of existing airport facilities, current conditions,
and issues related to the airport, and an identification of other
planning studies which may impact the airport plan.
The demand forecast including aircraft operations, number of
passengers, volume and cargo and mail, and vehicular traffic.
The forecast must be made not only on an annual basis but
also for the busiest hours of the day.
an analysis of interaction between the demand parameters and
the capacity of the relevant facilities.
the development of alternative concepts and solutions to
reasonably satisfy forecasted demand. An examination of
alternative sites, including land-use and ground access plans,
and development concepts is essential for the proper
consideration and identification of viable alternatives.
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Elements of an Airport Planning

Study (cont)

Content (cont)

the determination of the cost effectiveness of alternative

concepts and recommended solutions, including both
tangible and intangible benefits and costs.
a financial feasibility analysis which differs from
economic feasibility, for there is no guarantee that if a
proposed development is economically feasible, it is also
feasible to finance that development.
the environmental impact of alternative concepts and
recommended solutions must be considered and
incorporated into the cost effectiveness analysis.
the preparation of implementation schedules and costs
and sources of revenue for the various phases of
proposed development.
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Airport Site Selection

The individual who undertakes the selection of a site suitable

for new airports must first establish certain criteria which will
guide the determination of its proper location and size. The
location of an airport is influenced by the following:

Type of development of the surrounding area

Atmospheric conditions

Accessibility to ground transport

Availability of land for expansion

Presence of other airports and availability of airspace in the

area

Surrounding obstructions

Economy of construction

Availability of utilities, and

Proximity to aeronautical demand

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Continuous Planning Process

A continuous airport system planning process is needed to

respond to the needs of air transportation in a changing
environment.
Changes in aviation demand, community policies, new
technology, financial constraints, and other factors can alter the
need for and the timing of facility improvements.
Current data must be continually collected and assessed
regarding airport needs, operations and utilization,
environmental impact, and financial capabilities.
The staging of airport improvements assists in the reevaluation
of continuing needs at the points when implementation
decisions are required.
In the airport system planning process, the overall objective of
establishing and maintaining a continuous airport planning
process is to ensure that the airport system plan remains
responsive to public needs.
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Continuous Planning Process

Specific objectives associated with the continuous airport

system planning process include the following:

Surveillance, maintenance, inventory, update of the basic

data, such as aviation capacity, and socioeconomic and
environmental factors relating to the existing airport system
plan

Review and validation of data affecting the airport system

plan

Reappraisal of the airport system plan in view of changing

conditions

Modification of airport system plan to retain its validity

Development of a continuous mechanism for ensuring the

interchange of information between the system planning
and master planning processes
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Continuous Planning Process

Specific objectives: (cont)

Provision of a means for receiving and considering public

comment in order to maintain and ensure public awareness
of the role that airports play in the transportation system of
an area
Redefinition of air transportation goals and policies
Integration of airport system planning into a multimodal
planning process
Analysis of special issues
Publication of interim reports and formal plan updates

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