ENR and Aviation Week co-sponsored Planes, Pains and Payments, an aviation roundtable, on Oct. 6. Almost 30 aviation officials representing federal agencies, airports, vendors, consultants and contractors discussed the crucial challenges facing them now and in the future. Shrinking budgets coupled with increasing infrastructure needs to handle security and traffic demands are requiring all sectors to look for ways to increase revenue and build better, smarter and cheaper.
New developments loom on the taxiway that will affect all American airports. From the FAAs Next Generation Airport Transportation Systems program to microjets, from alternative project delivery solutions to privatization, all involved with operating and expanding airports must be prepared. In-line baggage screening systems, new runways and common-use facilities present ongoing challenges. Branding of airports, concessions planning and parking all present possibilities for revenue. Many called for a change in the policy on passenger facility charges, a crucial factor in current funding of capital programs.
