Airport Operations - Case Study Example

Airport Operations Course: Essay Title: Student Name and ID: Tutor’s name: In the operations of the airports, there is a great need to consider the physical design of the airport, its capacity and the airport strategy. When the physical design of the airport is not appropriate it is advisable to recommend the best and the appropriate airport design that is the best and cost effective for the operation of the airport. The city of London has six airports which serve the entire city and each and every airport has different purposes according to the airports operations. 1. The physical design and the limitation of the London city airport London city airport is located in Dockland in the region of Newham London in England. The airport has a single track of a runway which was particularly intended for aircrafts in the shorter airlifts (Button, 2004). The airport mainly serves the city of London which is a crucial financial and transport hub for the city and the country at large (Wensveen, 2007).The runway is short in order to limit the level of the noise from the aircraft and also due to the slanting path of the aeroplanes categories. The runway is built in the waterway and this makes it very hard for it expansion because of the expensive nature of the cost that shall be incurred and also the risk it poses to the environment. The London city airport is regarded as the centre of the London city jet because of its location and its operations (De Neufville & Odoni, 2003). The terminal The London city airport is the most convenient airport to the people travelling on the weekends and it has also fascinated a lot of the business people who operate in the business area of the London since it neighbour the central business area of London (Button, 2004). The London city airport terminal has more than twenty six checks in counters and extra more than five kiosks which are self-service and are intended for the commuters of Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways and SAS (Butler, 2008). The London city airport is considered as a significant element for the beginning of the building of the hotels. The airport has more than nine gates which serve the airport. The airport has Apron buses which operate in the airport and connect to the airport through the five parking bays constructed in the airdrome. The London city airport is at the bottom in terms of the size when compared to other airports which operates in the city of London (De Neufville & Odoni, 2003). The Airlines serving the Airdrome There are various airline companies which operate in the London city airdrome. These companies offer both local flights and international flights services. These comprises of the following Austrian Airlines, Euro Manx, Lufthansa, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, Air One, VLM Airlines, City Jet Eastern Airways and Blue Islands (Button, 2004). The physical Design Limitations The London city airport consists of a single runway which measures 1508 metres by 30metres. This therefore means that there are a limited number of aircrafts that can land and take off from this particular airport (Butler, 2008). The London city airport runway has a very limited length which largely contributes in the limitation of the noise that comes from the aircrafts when they land and also when they take off from the airport. Therefore, the serves a very limited number of aircrafts flights when put into comparison with the other major airports of the United Kingdom because of the size or the length of the runway of the airport (De Neufville & Odoni, 2003). The runway may not be expanded further due to its location on the waterway. Also the expansion of the runway may not be possible due to the location of the airport in the middle of the town which highly congested and populated and therefore means that there is no room or space for the runway expansion. Also it will be very expensive for any expansion of the runway (Doganis, 1992). How to access the airport The London city airport accessed through the light rail line and comprises of underground rail line which changes at various stations. These lines connect the airdrome to the new central business district of London of Canary Wharf and the traditional business district of London. The light railway line is operated by the Dockland Light Railway Company. The terminal building contains a light rail station of the London city airport which is situated just at the exterior. The airport is also serviced by buses which bring in the passengers from different areas of the city. The airport has parking bay which offers services such as short term parking and long term parking (Graham, 2008). The number of the population of the airport commuters The London city airport has more than 80, 000 flights going through the airport per year. It also contains more than 3 million commuters per year that goes through its gates. These populations comprises of the local commuters and international commuters. These commuters are mainly business travellers although there is other commuter who travels through the airport due to leisure or vacations purposes (Horonjeff, 2010). The economy contribution of the airport The London city airport has great economic significance to the city of London and the country at large because it has greatly contributed to the growth and the success of the local, national and the regional economies. The airport generates more than 500million Euros per year. The airport does this through its provision of jobs, business and the redevelopment of capital across the country and its crucial factor of the city’s transport system (Doganis, 1992). The services offered in the airport The airport offers charter planes and commercial flights to the commuters. In the airport the services offered includes the following the luggage and baggage security, parking, money, shopping, shoe shine, meals and accommodation as well as the Wi-Fi and internet services. There are also executive car services, advertising and insurance services (Graham, 2008). 2. The strategy of the London airports. Heathrow Airport The airlines operating from the Heathrow airport comprises of the British Airways, EasyJet, Citi Express, Blue Air, Ryanair, Britannia Airways, EasyJet, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, First Choice and Flybe. There are other airlines which operate from the Luton Airport such as the charter crafts and the scheduled planes. The Heathrow airport is the largest airport in the city of London compared to the other major airports. The Heathrow airport has more than 5 million commuters per annum and more than 100,000 flights per year (Graham, 2008). Heathrow airport has five terminals which are served by light railway line which connects the airport to the central district of the city of London. The airport also has underground railway lines which serves the airport and helps to connect it to the city of London. The airport is also accessed by buses which transport commuters from various parts of the city. There is also a presence of personal cars and taxis which also ease the access of the airport (Janic, 2007). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the Luton airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Horonjeff, 2010). Luton Airport: The airlines operating from the Luton airport comprises of the British Airways, EasyJet, Citi Express, Blue Air, Ryanair, Britannia Airways, EasyJet, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, First Choice and Flybe. There are other airlines which operate from the Luton Airport such as the charter crafts and the scheduled planes. The Luton airport is the largest airport in the city of London compared to the other major airports. The airport has more than 5 million commuters per annum (Doganis, 1992). The Luton airport consists of one central terminal building which takes care of all the air traffic that passes through the airport. The airport is accessed through a light railway line which connects the airport to the central district of the city of London. The airport also has underground railway lines which serves the airport and helps to connect it to the city of London. The airport is also accessed by buses which transport commuters from various parts of the city. There is also a presence of personal cars and taxis which also ease the access of the airport (Janic, 2007). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the Luton airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Horonjeff, 2010). Gatwick Airport: The airlines operating from the Gatwick airport comprises of the British Airways, EasyJet, Citi Express, Blue Air, Ryanair, Britannia Airways, EasyJet, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, First Choice and Flybe. There are other airlines which operate from the Luton Airport such as the charter crafts and the scheduled planes. The Gatwick airport is the largest airport in the city of London compared to the other major airports. The airport has more than 4 million commuters per annum and more than 50, 000 flights per annum that serves and delivers the commuters to this airport (Graham, 2008). The Gatwick airport consists of one central terminal building which takes care of all the air traffic that passes through the airport. The airport is accessed through a light railway line which connects the airport to the central district of the city of London. The airport also has underground railway lines which serves the airport and helps to connect it to the city of London. The airport is also accessed by buses which transport commuters from various parts of the city. There is also a presence of personal cars and taxis which also ease the access of the airport (Janic, 2007). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the Gatwick airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Horonjeff, 2010). Southend Airport: The airlines operating from the Southend airport comprises of the British Airways, EasyJet, Citi Express, Blue Air, Ryanair, Britannia Airways, EasyJet, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, First Choice and Flybe. There are other airlines which operate from the Luton Airport such as the charter crafts and the scheduled planes. The Southend airport is the largest airport in the city of London compared to the other major airports. The airport has more than 4 million commuters per annum and more than 30, 000 flights per annum that serves and delivers the commuters to this airport (Graham, 2008). The Southend airport consists of one central terminal building which takes care of all the air traffic that passes through the airport. The airport is accessed through a light railway line which connects the airport to the central district of the city of London. The airport also has underground railway lines which serves the airport and helps to connect it to the city of London. The airport is also accessed by buses which transport commuters from various parts of the city. There is also a presence of personal cars and taxis which also ease the access of the airport (Janic, 2007). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the Southend airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Horonjeff, 2010). Stansted Airport: The airlines operating from the Stansted airport comprises of the British Airways, EasyJet, Citi Express, Blue Air, Ryanair, Britannia Airways, EasyJet, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, First Choice and Flybe. There are other airlines which operate from the Luton Airport such as the charter crafts and the scheduled planes. The Stansted airport is the largest airport in the city of London compared to the other major airports. The airport has more than 4 million commuters per annum and more than 40, 000 flights per annum that serves and delivers the commuters to this airport (Janic, 2007). The Stansted airport consists of one central terminal building which takes care of all the air traffic that passes through the airport. The airport is accessed through a light railway line which connects the airport to the central district of the city of London. The airport also has underground railway lines which serves the airport and helps to connect it to the city of London. The airport is also accessed by buses which transport commuters from various parts of the city. There is also a presence of personal cars and taxis which also ease the access of the airport (Kasarda & Lindsay, 2011). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the Stansted airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Janic, 2007). London City Airport: The London city airport has more than 80, 000 flights going through the airport per year. It also contains more than 3 million commuters per year that goes through its gates. These populations comprises of the local commuters and international commuters. These commuters are mainly business travellers although there is other commuter who travels through the airport due to leisure or vacations purposes (Kasarda & Lindsay, 2011). The Airlines serving the Airdrome There are various airline companies which operate in the London city airdrome. These companies offer both local flights and international flights services. These comprises of the following Austrian Airlines, Euro Manx, Lufthansa, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, Air One, VLM Airlines, City Jet Eastern Airways and Blue Islands (Janic, 2007). The runway may not be expanded further due to its location on the waterway. Also the expansion of the runway may not be possible due to the location of the airport in the middle of the town which highly congested and populated and therefore means that there is no room or space for the runway expansion. Also it will be very expensive for any expansion of the runway (Kasarda & Lindsay, 2011). The London city airport accessed through the light rail line and comprises of underground rail line which changes at various stations. These lines connect the airdrome to the new central business district of London of Canary Wharf and the traditional business district of London. The light railway line is operated by the Dockland Light Railway Company (De Neufville, 2005). The terminal building contains a light rail station of the London city airport which is situated just at the exterior. The airport is also serviced by buses which bring in the passengers from different areas of the city. The airport has parking bay which offers services such as short term parking and long term parking (Wensveen, 2007). The commuters are able to reach various destinations from the London city airport. These destinations comprises of areas such Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, France and others European countries, most Asia countries, North America and most parts of North Africa such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. It also delivers commuters to various local destinations such as Manchester, Birmingham, wales, and the Ireland republic (Horonjeff, 2010). Weaknesses of having six airports in one city When the airports are located in one city there is high competition among the airports for the available commuters. This leads to a lot of expenditure, so as to attract as many commuters as possible (De Neufville, 2005). There airports will be forced to operate on different roles so as to be relevant it operations. The government will not be able to operate these airports hence will be forced to privatise them something that lead decline in profit since they owners will have to cut back the expenses and invest the profits in their home countries (Kasarda & Lindsay, 2011). 3. Alternative strategy for London as a city and its airports. The most appropriate strategy is to make or put up a strategy that allows each airport to have a different role to play in its operation for instance one airport should be used for the domestic flights while another operates the international fights (De Neufville, 2005). Also one airport could be used for handling the cargo services while the other handles the commuter’s services. This way there will be a reduction in the competition and the expenditure incurred (Wensveen, 2007). Another strategy is to make sure that the airports are not owned by the government so as to promote efficiency and maximum utilisation of the resources available. Also it will allow the development of the airport to the latest technology and also ensure that the requirement is fully met by the airports (Wensveen, 2007). The airports will attract the best airlines from all around the world hence opening up the boundaries of the airport to the outside world and make it easier to access the outside world ad promote the economy of the country in a great way (Kasarda & Lindsay, 2011). References Butler, V., 2008, Increasing Airport Capacity Without Increasing Airport Size, Reason Foundation: Los Angeles, CA. Button, K., 2004, Wings Across Europe: Towards An Efficient European Air Transport System, Ashgate Publishing Ltd:Hampshire, England. De Neufville, R., 2005, Multi-Airport Systems in the Era of No-Frills Airlines, MIT Working Paper Series: Cambridge, MA De Neufville .R &Odoni .A, 2003, Airport Systems Planning, Design And Management, McGraw-Hill Compnaies Inc: Irwin, USA. Doganis. R, 1992, The Airport Business, Taylor & Francis: Oxford. Graham .A, 2008, Managing Airports, Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford. Horonjeff, R. et al., 2010, Planning and Design of Airports, McGraw-Hill: New York. Janic, M., 2007, The Sustainability of Air Transportation: A Quantitative Analysis and Assessment, Ashgate Publishing Ltd: Hampshire. Kasarda .J & Lindsay .G, 2011, Aerotropolis, Penguin Books: London. Wensveen, J.G., 2007, Air Transportation: A Management Perspective, Ashgate Publishing Ltd: Farnham, England. Read More