PANEL REPORT: AIRPORTS. FUTURE AVIATION ACTIVITIES: SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP, SEPTEMBER 12-13, 1991, WASHINGTON, D.C.

The airport panel conducted a wide ranging discussion of issues affecting the aviation system in general and airports in particular. Major observations are as follows: There is considerable interest in non-capital (new construction) alternatives to deal with capacity problems. The economic difficulties of the airline industry will be a continuing problem for airports, but a problem that is not expected to worsen. The growing power of airlines in the airline-airport interrelationship is of considerable concern. New mechanisms for negotiating airline-airport agreements, such as regional authorities, might bear further examination. Traditional airport planning has a number of shortcomings. Better strategic planning, combined with an expanded view of related issues, i.e., addressing regional and multimodal problems, is required. Public understanding of the value of aviation must be increased. Increased public awareness of the benefits of aviation will be a major factor in removing environmental barriers to airport increased activity. Financial pressures on airports are increasing with a concomitant increase in financial risk. Regulatory burdens placed on airports are increasing and creating new problems for airport operators. These burdens could be reduced through better planning by, and coordination with, government regulators.