CHAPTER 2
Research Approach

This research project employed a team-oriented, practical approach that prioritized the experiences and practices of small to medium U.S. airports as they navigate common roles and challenges in the evolving aviation landscape. The research team worked with a panel of industry experts with extensive airport, regulatory, academic, and technical expertise. Panel members contributed insights and feedback to enhance the research process and research outcomes.

Outreach and engagement with these U.S. airports, as well as select international airports and non-aviation entities, served as a cornerstone of the analysis and provided an industry-informed overview of project finance, revenue production, and management strategies used to strengthen each entityʼs financial position.

The research involved a comprehensive literature review and interviews with airports and entities outside the aviation sector to gather insights into effective financial strategies. The literature review evaluated publicly available documentation from various entities, including ACRP, the FAA, and multiple aviation organizations. This review helped shape a framework of prominent industry topics for the targeted airport interviews.

The outreach to airports utilized a one-on-one interview format instead of a broad survey and focused on experienced professionals in airport management and finance. This approach facilitated active discussion and engagement. Guided by the project panel, the research team identified a range of small to medium airports for direct engagement through a series of interviews, emphasizing diversity in size, geographic location, and operational characteristics. Airports known for innovative practices, with the potential for valuable industry knowledge transfer, were prioritized during the data collection process.

At the outset of the research, the team reviewed more than 20 industry, academic, and media publications to gain an understanding of the issues affecting small to medium U.S. airports. This information was instrumental in identifying key themes that define the scale of national issues affecting this cohort and in crafting the problem statement, which was initially developed as a preliminary white paper and refined to its current form in Chapter 1. A literature review that provides details on these publications is provided as part of the Conduct of Research Report, which can be found on the National Academies Press website (nationalacademies.org/publications) by searching for ACRP Research Report 285: Revenue and Financing Alternatives for Medium and Small U.S. Airports in an Evolving Landscape.

In total, the research team interviewed personnel from 25 small to medium U.S. airports, two non-U.S. airports, and three non-aviation entities (two ports and one educational institution). Interview topics included:

• Key characteristics,
• Financial information,

• Revenue initiatives,
• Funding and financing,
• Industry trends, and
• Contracts and management practices.

Figure 2 illustrates the wide geographical scope of the 30 airports and entities interviewed by the research team, specifically:

• Small to Medium U.S. Airports (25)
  • Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), non-hub, Louisiana
  • Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV), small hub, Vermont
  • Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), small hub, New York
  • Casper–Natrona County International Airport (CPR), non-hub, Wyoming
  • Centennial Airport (APA), GA reliever, Colorado
  • Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), small hub, Tennessee
  • Chennault International Airport (CWF), GA, Louisiana
  • Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), non-hub, Colorado
  • Eugene Airport (EUG), small hub, Oregon
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), small hub, Michigan
  • Hillsboro Airport (HIO), GA, Oregon

Long Description.

The map displays various airports and non-aviation entities interviewed by the research team. The legend of the map lists seven types of entities with respective symbols. The data given in the map are as follows: 1, Non-aviation entities: Sierra College, Port of Cleveland, and Yellow Creek Port Authority. 2, Medium hub airport: PDX, SMF, RDU, SJU, and IND. 3, Small hub airports: EUG, RNO, LGB, IWA, CHA, GRR, SYR, BTV, and PIE. 4, Non-hub airport: RKS, CPR, EGE, GRK, and BTR. 5, GA airport: none. 6, GA reliever airport: SDL and APA. 7, Non-US airport: HIO, YYC, YVR, and CWF.

• • Indianapolis International Airport (IND), medium hub, Indiana
  • Killeen Regional Airport (GRK), non-hub, Texas
  • Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), non-hub, Louisiana
  • Long Beach Airport (LGB), small hub, California
  • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), medium hub, Puerto Rico
  • Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA), small hub, Arizona
  • Portland International Airport (PDX), medium hub, Oregon
  • Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU), medium hub, North Carolina
  • Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO), small hub, Nevada
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF), medium hub, California
  • Scottsdale Airport (SDL), GA reliever, Arizona
  • Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS), non-hub, Wyoming
  • St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE), small hub, Florida
  • Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), small hub, New York
• Non-U.S. Airports (two)
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC), Alberta, Canada
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR), British Columbia, Canada
• Non-Aviation Entities (three)
  • Port of Cleveland, maritime port, Ohio
  • Sierra College, higher education, California
  • Yellow Creek State Inland Port, multimodal inland port, Mississippi

The research team prepared six case studies (Chapter 4) from the airports and entities interviewed, highlighting the conditions, experiences, and initiatives leading to successful outcomes. These case studies cover a diverse subject matter and provide a relatable overview of best practices and lessons learned from the perspectives of the interviewed airports and individuals.

With a focus on practicality, the research team has recorded, compiled, and analyzed the collected information and data. This guide represents the culmination of the teamʼs work and is designed to provide depth and interpretation to the information presented in the database. Much of the guide is organized according to three essential categories of airport functions linked to the projectʼs problem statement:

• Capital funding and financing
• Revenue (diversification, production, and enhancement)
• Financial management

The guide thoroughly examines various topics, summarizing the information and data collected through interviews and research processes. It identifies key themes and takeaways from the assessment of prevalent and successful strategies and actions. The core objective of this project, as conveyed through the guide and database, is to equip small to medium airports with information on effective strategies and practices to help sustain and enhance their financial position in an ever-evolving aviation landscape.