Airport Practices for Onboarding a New Passenger Airline (2024)
Chapter: 1 Introduction
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Background
Commercial-service airports, and those airports that hope to be, are in the business of enabling airlines to serve passengers, thereby generating revenues for the airline, as well as airport, concessionaries, and the local and regional economy. “It’s easy to forget that airlines, at their core, are companies looking to enhance revenues” (Raleigh-Durham International Airport Website 2013, para. 2). This for-profit, revenue-generating model continues to support the growth of the airline business and generate returns for airline shareholders. Although U.S. airports are commonly municipally owned and are operated without a focus on a specific shareholder return, the FAA requires U.S. airports to be financially self-sufficient (via Grant Assurance 24, Fee and Rental Structure). Airline activity generally supports this.
Today, there are 5,069 public-use landing facilities in the United States (FAA 2022a). According to the FAA, only 517 of these airports (approximately 10% of public-use airports) are Part 139-certificated and approved for airline service (FAA 2023). According to the FAA, 30 of these airports are large hubs, 35 are medium hubs, 80 are small hubs and 238 are non-hubs (FAA 2023). The remaining airports capable of serving airlines are categorized as nonprimary airports. Airlines are selective in the airports they choose to serve, which is typically driven by market demand for certain routes, or subsidies as part of the Essential Air Service program.
First, to accept airline service (including scheduled passenger-carrying operations of an air carrier operating aircraft configured for more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled passenger-carrying operations of an air carrier operating aircraft configured for at least 31 passenger seats), the airport is required by the FAA to have a 14 CFR Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate. To obtain a new Airport Operating Certificate, the airport is required to (1) provide written documentation that air carrier service will begin on a specific date and (2) develop an FAA-approved Airport Certification Manual (ACM).
Second, in addition to an Airport Operating Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 139 (Airport Certification), airports with airline service will need to ensure that TSA regulations (such as 49 CFR Part 1542, Airport Security) are complied with. Specifically, the airport must have a TSA-approved Airport Security Program (ASP).
Developing an ACM and ASP requires many months with additional time for FAA review and approval. In essence, airports preparing to welcome their first airline have regulatory requirements that must be met—many taking months to years to bring to fruition; thus, airports need to plan years ahead if they want to begin serving air carriers.
Synthesis Overview
In simple terms, the nation’s airport industry consists of airports that currently serve airlines, those airports that may in the future, and those that are currently unable to accommodate
airlines. This synthesis describes how airports prepare for a new airline once the decision has been made by that airline to begin serving the airport. It does not consider increased service by an incumbent airline—only initial service by a new airline to an airport. Specifically, the synthesis focuses on airports that already have airline service, although airports that do not yet have airline service but want to will benefit from the findings. This synthesis does not include information on airports preparing to accept airline service, such as developing an ACM or ASP. Readers are encouraged to consult ACRP Report 156: Guidebook for Managing Compliance with Federal Regulations: An Integrated Approach (Aviation Management Consulting Group, Inc. et al. 2016) in this regard.
The objective of this synthesis is to describe diverse airport practices and approaches as to how airport staff prepare to onboard a new passenger airline. Challenges experienced by airport staff in preparing for new airline service are also explored. The report also emphasizes methods airports can use to meet airline needs and expectations, while ensuring smooth integration of new airline service with existing airport operations. The audience for this report is airport management and staff seeking to understand, plan for, and accommodate new airline service.
Synthesis Organization
The remaining chapters of the report will provide the reader with knowledge of the issues surrounding airline onboarding, including those areas that will be addressed by airport staff in preparing for the launch of new airline service.
Chapter 2: Synthesis Development Method presents the method used in the project. Topics include recipients/participants, data collection instruments, survey and interview methods, and data analysis techniques.
Chapter 3: Literature Review presents findings obtained from a thorough review of the literature, aiding the reader in more deeply understanding this issue. Topics include air service development, types of airlines, airport and airline costs, new airlines, the onboarding process, and airport department responsibilities.
Chapter 4: Airport Department Responsibilities presents specific tasks commonly carried out by each airport department during the airline onboarding process.
Chapter 5: Survey Results presents the findings from a survey of airport staff with primary responsibility for airline onboarding. Topics addressed include department and staff with responsibility for airline onboarding, high-priority items that must be addressed, practices in addressing each of the required areas for airline onboarding, types of lease agreements, and airline needs and expectations.
Chapter 6: Case Examples presents 12 case examples of airports. These examples highlight their experiences with airline onboarding.
Chapter 7: Conclusions and Future Research summarizes the key findings of the research and provides comments on the state of research and opportunities for additional research related to this topic.
References and a glossary are provided as well.
The following appendices complete this synthesis:
