Systemic Inequality in the Airport Industry: Exploring the Racial Divide (2023)
Chapter: Preface
Preface
“Systemic Inequality in the Airport Industry: Exploring the Racial Divide” [ACRP Project 11-08(21-02)], held April 12–13, 2022, at the Keck Center of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC, convened airport practitioners, policymakers, and diversity and inclusion specialists to consider how to collectively transform the aviation industry into one that is more equal and inclusive. The Transportation Research Board’s (TRB’s) Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) organized the event as part of its series of convening activities titled “ACRP Insight Events.” ACRP Insight Events are forums that foster dialogue between professionals across sectors, institutions, and industries. ACRP Insight Events convene airport industry leaders and subject matter experts in various fields to encourage discussion and promote broader and deeper insight on topics of significance to airport operators. These in-depth, face-to-face gatherings are designed to promote communication and collaboration, foster innovation, and help identify areas of future interest and research, especially for topics of emerging importance.
These proceedings, prepared by rapporteur Amber Woodburn McNair of The Ohio State University, are a compilation of the presentations and a factual summary of what occurred at the Insight Event. The project panel for the event was solely responsible for organizing the event, identifying speakers, and coordinating activities during the event. The views contained in this report are those of individual participants at the ACRP Insight Event and do not necessarily represent the views of all the participants, the project panel, TRB, the Federal Aviation Administration, or the National Academies.
This document was reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise. The purposes of this independent review are to provide candid and critical comments that will assist TRB in making the published summary as sound as possible and to ensure that the document meets institutional requirements for clarity, objectivity, and responsiveness to the project charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process.
TRB thanks the following individuals for their review of the summary: Anita Cobb, Mead & Hunt; and Tina Frias, Harry Reid International Airport. TRB also thanks staff reader Jessica Wolfman, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they did not see the final draft of the summary before its release. Responsibility for the final content of this summary rests entirely with the rapporteur and the institution.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
| AAAE | American Association of Airport Executives |
| ACDBE | Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise |
| ACI | Airports Council International |
| ACRP | Airport Cooperative Research Program |
| AIP | Airport Improvement Program |
| AMAC | Airport Minority Advisory Council |
| DBE | Disadvantaged Business Enterprises |
| DEI | diversity, equity, and inclusion |
| DEIJ | diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice |
| DOT | Department of Transportation |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| GDP | gross domestic product |
| HMMH | Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. |
| MPO | metropolitan planning organization |
| MSI | minority-serving institution |
| NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act |
| OBAP | Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals |
| RFP | request for proposal |
| SWING | Southwest Initiatives for Neighborhood Growth |
| TRB | Transportation Research Board |
| WTS | Women’s Transportation Seminar |
