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Ever wondered who manages the bustling and busy commercial and general aviation airports? What does it take to keep the different aircraft ground traffic, terminals, and passenger processes in action? That’s exactly where airport facility management services fit in. As you can probably guess from the name, these services are all about managing airport facilities. In the current world, the roles of such services are varied and often intersect with one another. A Fixed Base Operator or FBO, who specializes in serving general aviation, may also take up the task of managing aspects of commercial services at the same airport. In this post, we will try and understand the overall work of airport facility management services and why they are relevant and important to everyone involved. What does it entail? To be fair, airport facility management is a broad subject, and in many areas of the world, such as the U.S., it is dominated by municipalities and special purpose public authorities. In many other geographic areas, however, companies perform roles related to airport operations, and can airport owners as well. Even in the U.S., commercial companies are providing many airport functions such as infrastructure and facility management. Airport commercialization is one of the other aspects related to airport facility management. Airport vendors are becoming increasingly sophisticated and interwoven into the travel experience—from the branded coffee shop or restaurant to airport advertising involving large, public advertising agencies. The aviation industry largely works on a balance and partnership between private and public investors/authorities/services, and airport management is quite similar to that. Strategic roles remain for airport sponsors, while other services are outsourced to experienced, efficient private operators. Why is airport facility management important? Airports are critical transportation modes for the movement of passengers and goods. Providing a efficient airport experience is critical for airport sponsors, and outsourcing management components to private operators can create an optimal passenger experience. Most airport facility management companies specialize in below and above wing services, may also work as a FBO or ground handler, and can even have a role in airport infrastructure development. They can either manage airport assets under a contract with the airport sponsor or they can “own” (and therefore incur the business risk) facilities, usually through a long-term lease. Private sector work is important because it can reduce cost, ensure operational efficiency and improve overall quality through the implementation of industry wide best practices. Aviation is continuing to grow at a fast pace and with increased customer service becoming an integral part of the passenger experience private operators will have a larger and more important role to play going forward. Private airport facility management companies have the expertise, experience, manpower and resources to deliver the best passenger experience and be accountable to the airport sponsor. If you are looking for a professional management company that can help manage airport assets begin by researching companies with known airport experience. Present your needs and ask for a tailored management solution with metrics and reporting, and be sure to contact the company’s references. Global Aviation Infrastructure LLC http://www.aviationinfrastructure.com/ slevesque@aviationinfrastructure.com +1 (843) 412-6881
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