The Airport Business Activities - Report Example

INTRODUCTION This paper addresses the prospective, of promoting the need of sustainable improvement activities and the advantages that are achieved through the effective planning of airports and implementation of airport business activities which ultimately leads to the contribution to social sustainability. Since Aviation is a fast developing industry and is a major source of employment and economic growth, effective utilization of resources and implementation of efficient planning and management techniques is important to claim benefits arising from industry. The study concerns the general airport management, therefore, it would be appealing to establish best practices, which could be drawn from other events or projects that are comparable to similar projects in the industry. This paper intends to present certain recommendations for the inclusion of sustainable development issues with the planning, design and construction of the airport building and facilities. The first section outlines a brief to the airport master planning and development strategy and the second section discusses the sustainability issues of airport master plans.   PLANNING OF AIRPORT MASTER PLANS This master plan will offer a brief vision to the growth and development of airport facilities and long term use of land and airport facilities, thereby supporting the authorities in taking major decisions. The airport management committee needs to answer some major questions before the initiation of the master plan. The strengths and constraints of the airport facility and the anticipated opportunities and purposes that the airport business facility fulfills currently and in future in the wake of growing demands, and the possibility of attracting and retaining long term workforce with the airport management are some of the most basic and significant queries that should be answered and hold utmost importance to the success and sustainability of any airport business and venture. The first step in the planning of master airport plans is to define the main goals and objectives of the plan study. While defining the goals and objectives of the master plan, the committee can also prioritize some of them as per requirements. The main goals of drafting an airport master plan is to enhance the performance of the airport business activities, enhance profits through sustainable economic development of the airport business, develop friendly land use and society joint ventures, develop all-weather reliability and decrease operational wait time and decrease the operating costs and increase facilities. The second step is to list out all the facilities that exist and are required by the airport operations for managing increasing customers and their demands, (Wells and Young, 2003). The various facilities that are normally exist in any master plan for airports can be divided into three main categories. Commercial operations, Cargo operations, General aviation services to customers, and other support facilities like customers terminals, hotels, maintenance for airfeild and fleet, catering services, control tower, parking, rental car facility.  The third step in planning of an Airport master plan is to assess and evaluate the rising demands. Forecasting of air travel demands is done with the help of passenger information. It is expected that the air travel will increase by atleast three times by the year 2025. However, effectually connecting this bulk of passengers to the traffic will grow at a much slower rate which will be cause of serious concerns for the airport management authorities, (Wells and Young, 2003). The fourth step is facility management and development. In order to meet the rising demands of air travel, facilities are required to be increased and enhanced for better and increased customer services. The airport management committee should be able to develop a comprehensive list of major development projects that may be required by an airport in the wake of rising customer demands. They may be land acquisition by the airport authority to mitigate increasing noise pollution, land Acquisition for future aviation development, General aviation hangar expansion, New Taxiway systems, Runways, Terminals and gates, Terminal expansion to new gates and ARFF station facilities. The fifth step is the financial Feasibility Analysis. The master plan will include a detailed financial planning or a Capital development plan and future expansion opportunities. Allocating funds to the airport authority for development of assets and facilities, keeping in mind the future demands and competitiveness of the airline industry, is a significant aspect of airport master planning. The sixth final step is the Community Involvement and Environmental Considerations. This step will include a community involvement program and identify and prioritize the key issues of stakeholders. Also, understanding of various environmental issues will be recommended.    LEVEL OF RESPONSIVENESS OF AIRPORT MASTER PLANS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  Airports are a major source of employment and business opportunities for a region, and maintaining a sustainable development plan of airport planning and operation leads to optimising of advantages which is necessary for the growth of the airport business activity and the economic development of the area. Airport master plans are required to be fully committed to contribute to the sustainability in its broadest terms, which means taking into account detailed plans of economic and social impact of airport operations and business activities to the local people, (Wells and Young, 2003). Job opportunities, mitigation of harmful effects caused due to airport operations and increase in the business of the region are some of the basics of providing sustainability through airport master plans.    The master plan for airport development includes a number of Sustainable Development issues that are required to be followed during the operations and management of the airport facility. Sustainable utilization and efficient manufacturing of products for the airport facility is important. This also concerns the optimal utilization of resources like money, labor and assets to provide maximum benefits across the life cycle of the product concerned ( product concerns the airport design, construction, operations and management) and promoting business competitiveness for the airport business plan, (McCrudden, 2004). Climate Effect and use of green energy by the management authorities indicate the level of responsiveness towards sustainable development. The increasing harmful effects of noise pollution and other green house gases need to be curtailed in order to provide a safer and healthier environment to the people, (Civil Aviation Safety Authority. 2003). The airport master plan will lay importance to promote use of environment friendly products for its business and at the same time maintain its profits and also meet the future demands for the customers and business operations which will in turn help to create value for the society. Corporate Governance has recently gained a lot of concern both by the industry and shareholders. The airport authority and the regulatory committee need to stress the necessity of an effective set corporate governance policies and practices for the operation of airport business plan. Transparent business dealings, fair business opportunity, disclosure of airport business information to the shareholders and fair profit sharing with shareholders are some of the basics of corporate governance. Apart from this, consistent regulation of government laws and standards is also required. Also, Human rights concern is a major issue for such mega projects like airport planning and operation. This includes that the airport governing authority completely avoids  issues like slavery, child and bonded labor, union management, low health and safety standards for employees and customers, unfair compensation and labor / female exploitation. It is important that the airport master plan supports human rights and makes sure that the operations are not at all abusive in any way.   To summarize the Sustainability Objectives for an Airport master plan as a list of comprehensive targets. It is the responsibility of the airport management commiittee to operate, control a sustainable business plan and to reduce the harmful effects of noise, water and land pollution arising from various Airport activities and also attempt to protect the current cultural assets from the ill - effects of airport operation, (Biosis Research Pty Ltd. 2001). The management will also need to capitalize on the various social advantages of airport business and at the same time mitigating the social impacts that occur due to airport operational activities and future growth prospects and to make optimal utilization of airport business activities in a way that offers a long term sustainable growth and development to the economy of the region, (Wells and Young, 2003). Build up and expand a competitive and winning position in the market as that of a responsible and sustainable airport business provider and at the same time develop an efficient supplier selection strategy which benefits the locals of the region and assist them in both economic and social development, (Munnoz, 2009). Efficient supplier selection strategy may include giving business opportunities to locals, woman oriented small scale businesses, unemployed, and underprivileged also denotes a sustainable development plan adoption. Lastly, integrating best international health and safety standards into construction of airports and concerned building and providing highest possible safety and security to airport passengers, (Page, 2009).  CONCLUSION   Planning of huge facilities like airports is definitely a challenge which requires close monitoring of targets and execution of activities along with maintaining a sustainable outlook towards community development. This paper helps to gain a brief insight into airport master planning details and other facility management related to airport development and expansion. Moreover, integrating business ssustainability objectives into the master plan to create value for the society leads to long term benefits both for the business and the people.  REFERENCES   1. Wells, A. and Young, S. (2003) Airport Plan and management. 5th edition London Mc Graw Hill page 365- 378 2. Page, J. (2009) Transport and Tourism Perspectives. 3rd edition Essex page 306-327 3. McCrudden, C., 2004. Using public procurement to achieve social outcomes. Natural Resources Forum, 28(4), 257-267.  4. Munoz, S., 2009. Social enterprise and public sector voices on procurement. Social Enterprise Journal, 5(1), 69 - 82.  5. Biosis Research Pty Ltd. 2001. Cultural and Natural Heritage Values of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Prepared for Salomon Smith Barney Australia Securities Pty Ltd. 6. Civil Aviation Safety Authority. 2003. Manual of Standards Part 139. Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Canberra.   Read More