National News

Aviation Industry Calls for Strengthened Investment in Aviation Facilities & Equipment

Kim Stevens

A diverse coalition of aviation industry stakeholders joined together last week in calling on U.S. congressional aviation leaders and the administration to support the strengthening and modernization of the U.S. Air Traffic Control (ATC) System.

The group’s collective view is that the U.S. must continue to have a safe, efficient and resilient ATC system. To accomplish this objective, Congress should consider making changes to its administration of the Aviation and Airways Trust Fund in such a way that maintains the appropriators’ and authorizers’ important oversight role while giving the FAA the ability to more effectively utilize the Trust Fund balance for needed facility upgrades and system modernization. The coalition respectfully requests congressional authorizers and appropriators work together with the FAA and all stakeholders to ensure the FAA has a plan and the necessary resources to grow the National Airspace System safely and efficiently.

“It’s encouraging to see virtually every sector of the aviation industry, from the airlines to general aviation, unite to support needed reforms and investment in the FAA’s modernization effort,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Ensuring the FAA has the tools it needs is the best way to guarantee the U.S. maintains the safest and most robust air traffic system in the world.”

Stakeholders signing the letter include Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA); Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA); Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA); Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA); Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Airlines for America (A4A); Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA); Cargo Airline Association (CAA); Experimental Aircraft Association Inc. (EAA); General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); International Air Transport Association (IATA); International Council of Air Shows (ICAS); National Air Carrier Association (NACA); National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA); National Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO); National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots; Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS); Regional Airline Association (RAA); Travelers United; U.S. Chamber; Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and Vertical Flight Society (VFS).

Read the aviation coalition’s letter.

GSA City Pair Program Adds New Airline, Markets for Federal Travelers

Kim Stevens

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that nine air carriers received fiscal year (FY) 2025 contracts for scheduled airline passenger transportation of federal government travelers through the GSA’s City Pair Program. Overall, the program is estimated to save $2.45 billion in FY25 on official travel expenses.

Breeze Airways will join Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines in offering federal travelers options for official government air travel. The new fares will be available on GSA’s City Pair Program web page starting July 17, 2024 for travel beginning October 1, 2024.

“The City Pair Program is one of our offerings designed to make it easier for federal travelers to book airfares and plan trips with confidence,” said Acting Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Tom Howder. “For the first time in several years, we are increasing the number of airlines participating in the program, which means we’re opening new markets and creating more competition.”

The FY25 GSA City Pair contracts reflect a 26% increase in nonstop flight options, which helps to lower CO2 emissions. In addition, contract fares provide an average discount of 49.5% compared to commercial fares.

“This year the City Pair Program is offering many more nonstop flights, reducing carbon emissions and optimizing traveler convenience — which will result in increased customer satisfaction,” said Travel, Transportation and Logistics Assistant Commissioner Crystal Philcox.

The city-to-city routes were solicited based on factors such as past travel bookings, passenger volume, number of flights, flight availability, average elapsed flight time, and price of service.

City Pair fares have no cancellation or change fees, no blackout dates, no minimum or maximum length of travel requirements, are fully refundable, and offer last-seat availability.

Launched with 11 markets in 1980, the City Pair Program now serves over 14,000 line-item markets for federal air travel and has been a Best-In-Class solution since 2017. As the largest strategically-sourced procurement for negotiated airfares in the world, GSA’s City Pair Program capitalizes on the scale of federal travelers to negotiate lower rates on flights between key cities.

Grassroots Coalition Forms to Advocate for Continued Use of Essential Ag Tech

Kim Stevens

In response to proposed legislation aimed at banning drones manufactured by Chinese companies, a coalition of agricultural spray drone distributors is banding together to form a grassroots industry group. This coalition, consisting of Agri Spray Drones, Bestway Ag, Drone Nerds, HSE-UAV, Pegasus Robotics, and Rantizo intends to represent, protect, and advocate for the interests of the agricultural industry in the use of spray drone technology.

Legislative Concerns

Recent legislative proposals, like H.R 2864 which passed in the House version of the NDAA, seek to ban drones manufactured by Chinese companies due to security concerns. However, the proposals currently being presented and discussed fail to consider other methods to address security concerns while also avoiding the significant impact such bans would have on the agricultural industry.

The Vital Role of Spray Drones in Agriculture

Spray drones are an indispensable part of modern agricultural technology for several reasons:

1. Optionality in Aerial Application:

In an industry facing increasing demand for aerial applications combined with a shortage of available plane and helicopter pilots, drones provide a natural and efficient solution. According to survey data collected by coalition members, in 2023 alone, 3.7 million acres were sprayed by drones across 41 states and over 50 types of crops, generating $78.5 million in rural communities.

2. Job Creation in Rural America:

According to Agri Spray Drones CEO Taylor Moreland, “Spray drones create new job opportunities in rural areas where they previously did not exist.” For a reasonable investment, individuals can purchase a spray drone, start a custom application business, and start creating revenue that not only supports their families but also contributes to their local economy.

3. Support for Sustainable Agriculture:

Agricultural spray drone technology provides farmers with additional options for employing precision farming techniques in their operations, helping farmers to reduce crop input usage and increase yield opportunities. By delivering crop protection products precisely when and where they are needed, farmers can more efficiently control weed, pest, and disease pressures.

Addressing Security Concerns

The industry group supports efforts to create cybersecurity standards and appropriate regulations to protect vital data across all drones, regardless of country of origin. By advocating for these measures, the coalition aims to address security concerns while still preserving the technological advancements and economic benefits that spray drones provide to the agricultural sector. This balanced approach enables continued innovation and operational efficiency, ensuring that American farmers can maintain their competitive edge globally.

Intermountain St. Mary’s Foundation and Chevron Each Donate $25,000 to Enhance Mental Health Supports for CareFlight of the Rockies

Kim Stevens

Representatives from Intermountain St. Mary’s Foundation and Chevron both presented $25,000 checks to the CareFlight of the Rockies Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team during a donation event held on the St. Mary’s Hospital helipad on Tuesday, July 9.

CareFlight of the Rockies is an air ambulance service for western Colorado, eastern Utah, and parts of New Mexico and started in 1976. The CareFlight CISM Team was created in 2020 in response to the mental health needs of the CareFlight team and other first responders in the three-state area they serve.

First responders including crews for CareFlight, search and rescue, ski patrol, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, rural hospital emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians, and fire department personnel, all respond to life-threatening medical situations daily.

“The situations we as first responders encounter leave a lasting mark on us as caregivers. In our smaller, rural communities, we’re often providing care for, and sometimes losing people we know personally. And afterward, that can make an already traumatic situation we experience, even more difficult emotionally,” said Kelly Thompson, RN, a flight nurse and chief of operations for CareFlight of the Rockies.

The CareFlight stress management team — composed of 10 first responders – currently provides behavioral health support to the larger group of first responders. Support includes mental health focused debriefings and listening sessions held at a moment’s notice for hospital emergency medicine department staff and first responders after especially traumatic events, whether onsite at the hospital, or out in the field. 

“Chevron has made significant donations to CareFlight for the last 10 years. Their recent generous donation, which is being matched by our hospital foundation will help fund the final, crucial piece of the stress management team, providing a local, licensed clinical counselor clinically trained and experienced in first responder trauma therapy for the next three years,” said Carmen Shipley, executive director of philanthropy for Intermountain St. Mary’s Foundation. 

“CareFlight is one of the most important components of this region’s medical response capabilities, and Chevron is proud to have supported this team for many years. Their work is critical to our community, often stressful and full of emotions. We now have an opportunity to dedicate our funding to the Critical Incident Stress Management Team to ensure these dedicated caregivers receive the support and relief they need to deal with the incidents they witness on a regular basis,” said Cary Baird, stakeholder engagement and social investment advisor for Chevron’s Rockies Business Unit.

People who work as first responders are called for everybody’s worst day for the patient and family. They carry a lot of emotional burden, from saving lives on a daily basis to the emotional toll of being involved in so many traumatic events.

“Across the nation, there’s been a culture among first responders where we weren’t allowed to show emotion and just moved on to the next emergency patient. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders were hit especially hard, seeing a lot of deaths and then the angst about if we might bring COVID-19 home to our families,” said Thompson.

“Creating a stress management team that can reach all the first responders in our community is unique. It’s helped tear down the stigma that first responders don’t need behavioral health support. It’s created a culture change and safe space for everyone to know sometimes you’re not going to be OK, and each one of us may need some counseling. We’ve had medical transport organizations in other states reach out to us about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” she added.

The trauma trained counselor has office hours for counseling and works with the stress management team to provide education, training, and tools to each crew of first responders on-site to help them recognize behavioral health challenges in themselves or other team members and know how to address them early, before it gets worse.

Aviation Associations, State Agencies Mourn Passing of Former Senator James Inhofe

Kim Stevens

The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics as well as numerous national aviation associations, marked the passing of general aviation advocate and former Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who tirelessly fought on behalf of the industry throughout his decades of public service.

Sen. James Inhofe

“Sen. Inhofe was a master legislator and general aviation’s great champion,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Those two truths are reflected in every aviation bill that has passed Congress and been signed into law over the past 35 years.”

“His Discharge Petition, General Aviation Revitalization Act, Pilots Bill of Rights, Basic Med and numerous FAA Reauthorization bills that have protected general aviation’s access to airspace and airports represent just a fraction of what Jim Inhofe has done to promote aviation,” Bolen added. “There is no one who has done more to help the United States have the largest, safest, most diverse and most efficient aviation system in the world. We will miss him greatly.” 

As an accomplished aviator, Inhofe brought a deep appreciation and understanding of the industry to policy debates on Capitol Hill. Over the course of his career, he supported legislation that ensured general aviation would continue connecting communities and remain a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, including through his work as a key proponent of legislation creating aviation workforce grants.

Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), said Senator Inhofe was a passionate aviator, as well as a dedicated public servant. “Guided by his passion and experience, his many legislative accomplishments in this field helped shape the nation’s aviation policy for decades. He was a true champion for aviation in the Senate and we will always remember his tremendous impact on our industry. NASAO and its members send their deepest sympathies to Senator Inhofe’s family and friends.”

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Curt Castagna, noted that Sen. Inhofe’s legislative skill and deep understanding of the importance of general aviation left an indelible mark on our nation’s aviation infrastructure and skilled workforce. “We are a stronger, more resilient industry because of the Senator’s wisdom, leadership, and dedication.”

“Just last week NATA hosted its annual Air Charter Summit in Sen. Inhofe’s home state of Oklahoma, where we saw firsthand how his passion for his constituents and for our industry shaped a vibrant, innovative aviation landscape that continues to flourish. We are confident that his legacy will inspire future aviation advocates and professionals for generations to come,” Castagna added.

Grayson Ardies, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics noted that in a legacy of public service that spanned over 40 years, no one did more for aviation, aerospace, and defense than James Mountain Inhofe. “A tireless champion of airports and infrastructure, his advocacy ensured that our air transportation system was the envy of the world and the safest in the world. It is fair to say that Jim Inhofe beneficially impacted every public airport in Oklahoma during his time in public service.”

Ardies said that advocating for the Oklahoma aviation and aerospace industry was a task of love that was always at the top of his list whether you were American Airlines, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, or a small aviation business with less than 50 employees. “The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City never had a bigger champion than Senator Jim Inhofe and its successes in keeping our air transportation system safe and efficient are thanks to his advocacy over the years. When it comes to aviation and aerospace, Jim was a mountain of a man,” said Ardies. “He was Oklahoma’s #1 Airvangelist! Thank you, Senator Inhofe, for everything you’ve done for our Nation, for our State, and for the aviation, aerospace, and defense industry.”

NBAA Tells Congress Workforce Growth Key to Continued US Aviation Leadership

Kim Stevens

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) highlighted the need to redouble the focus on attracting the next generation of industry professionals as a national priority and urged Congress to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) effectively implements plans contained in the agency’s newly enacted reauthorization to build a workforce that preserves America’s global aviation leadership.

An emphasis on promoting workforce-development initiatives was the central theme in testimony provided by Jo Damato, CAM, senior vice president of education, training and workforce development with NBAA, before a hearing convened by the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure’s Aviation Subcommittee.

“This hearing highlights the importance of recruiting, retaining and engaging aviation talent, and underscores the work that must be energized” to ensure a large, qualified and diverse cohort of industry professionals is equipped to lead the industry in the years ahead, Damato said. She noted that the issue is a top concern for business aviation, which supports 1.2 million U.S. jobs and $247 billion in economic output.

Damato, who learned to fly as a teenager and trained other pilots before joining NBAA, recently represented business aviation on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, an industry-government group formed to provide workforce-development recommendations to federal transportation leaders.

The subcommittee’s hearing comes as the industry confronts a pressing, two-fold challenge: first, analysts predict that hundreds of thousands of aviation professionals, with a diversity of skill sets, will be needed in the coming decades; second, and of equal concern, a series of bottlenecks – including financial and cultural barriers, limited access to information and other hurdles – are impeding the workforce growth needed to meet the coming demand.

Damato joined the hearing panelists in commending Congress for its bipartisan collaboration with NBAA and others to address the issue, largely through workforce-focused provisions included in the recently codified FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Specifically, the legislation helps remove barriers for aviation career seekers, while expanding the industry’s workforce “pipeline” and improving training standards.

“This pipeline is critical to our strength as a nation,” Damato said, adding that if the provisions in the FAA bill to support it are implemented effectively, the aviation community will be equipped to move forward on job growth “in ways that have not been possible in recent decades.”

To illustrate her point, Damato cited several prescriptive measures in the FAA law that are aimed at catalyzing aviation workforce development. Those measures – which reflect recommendations from the DOT’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force, as well as guidance from a related government-industry group, the FAA’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board – include language to:

  • Build early awareness and engagement with young people;
  • Improve access to information about careers in aviation and aerospace;
  • Create a national strategic plan for workforce development that connects existing programs;
  • Provide financial support to pursue training and education, and;
  • Address factors that negatively impact the recruitment and retention of women and other minorities.

“We applaud the leaders on this subcommittee, and in both congressional chambers, who understand that America’s leadership in aviation is central to the nation’s leadership in the world,” Damato said. “An investment in a highly trained and dedicated workforce is an imperative not just for the industry, but for the citizens, companies and communities that depend on it.

“We thank the subcommittee for holding this hearing, and we look forward to working with Congress to promote initiatives that ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in aviation, five, 10 and 25 years into the future.”

Read Damato’s full written testimony before the July 10 hearing of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation.

Art Greenfield Elevated to Senior Vice President, Contest & Records

Kim Stevens

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced the promotion of  Art Greenfield to Senior Vice President, Contest & Records.

Art Greenfield

Greenfield, a leading voice at the NAA for over 30 years, is recognized for his exceptional leadership and influence in the international air sports community. His service to the United States National Air Sports Control and the entire international air sports community, marked by his exceptional management and recording of aviation records, earned him the prestigious Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Silver Medal in 2012.

“Understanding and applying the FAI Sporting Code is imperative to the NAA mission,” said Amy Spowart, NAA President and CEO.  “Art’s passion for international air sports, attention to detail, desire for accuracy, and thorough knowledge of NAA and FAI practices are second to none. Art’s promotion is a testament to his dedication to our vision and impact. We truly couldn’t do what we do without him.”

Art with FAI Silver Award in 2012.

Greenfield’s commitment to aviation is evident in his impact on many organizations and initiatives. Demonstrating thorough knowledge of aviation is a hallmark of Greenfield’s work ethic and his influence in various aviation organizations serve as a testament to that. He currently serves nationally as a NAA Director, and as a member of the NAA Contest and Records Board. Internationally, Greenfield participates as an elected member of  FAI’s General Air Sport Commission (CASI), and FAI’s General Aviation Commission (GAC). His work on the NAA’s Sustainable Wings Certification, which recognizes aeronautic records attained using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), highlights Greenfield’s forward-thinking approach for a more sustainable future in aviation.

A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Greenfield holds a Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor Certificate and a USHPA Novice Paraglider Pilot Rating.

OP ED: Boeing 737 Max  

Kim Stevens

A Guest Perspective by Edward J. McCall, A.A.E., C.A.E.

The Boeing 737 Max is once again having problems while flying passengers with numerous issues after two accidents resulting in the loss of over three hundred lives. While the investigations go on again, we need to look back.

Edward J. McCall

In May of 1979 an American Airlines maintenance foreman decided it would be faster and more cost effective to do engine work on a DC10 by eliminating one step in the procedure. The foreman reasoned if the engine pylon mount was removed along with the engine instead of separately it would save time and then money. The short cut procedure resulted in excess strain on the entire engine mounting system connecting the engine to the wing. The most G Forces are on an aircraft during the takeoff. The continued cycles of takeoffs weakened the wing mounting system over time. Then at 3:10 p.m. on May 25 American Airlines Flight 191 was departing Chicago O’Hare International Airport on runway 32R. The pressure on the wing mounting bolt system caused the engine to give way and fling the engine over the wing, taking the hydraulic system lines with it. The DC10 began to bank left out of the takeoff climb and hit the ground killing over 260 people.

I was scheduled at Chicago O’Hare Operations as the Duty Manager. Working the accident site was horrific, then the recovery and investigations were very difficult on all the staff. This was an unnecessary accident. We need to not just be concerned with outward obvious safety issues but also the well-intentioned time saving cost cutting shortcuts.

The problem I have now with 40 years in aviation is witnessing the Boeing Company making the same decisions but on a grander scale with the B737 Max. Instead of designing a new aircraft it was decided to use the existing platform to enlarge the aircraft again as in the past. The changes required deformed the original aerodynamics of the B737 and adjusting the engine locations.  We had two fatal accidents that did not need to happen. It looks like we could have had more but for luck.

Edward J. McCall, A.A.E., C.A.E.

www.AirBossMac.com

                                                                                                                  

FAA Makes Additional $1 Billion Available for Airport Terminal Program Grants and Announces $289 Million in Awards  

Kim Stevens

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing a seventh round of Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) totaling $289 million to 129 airports across 40 states, improving the safety and efficiency of air travel. The projects are funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s AIG program, part of the $25 billion in total funding for airport improvements such as terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements, and air traffic infrastructure improvements.

“Americans are flying in record numbers, and the Biden-Harris Administration continues to invest in our airports to make travel safer and more convenient for the people who pass through these airports each day,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This latest round of funding will support key improvements to terminals, runways, and baggage systems and build on the work this Administration is doing to modernize our aviation infrastructure.”

In June, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened a record-breaking 2.99 million passengers in a single day at airports. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million individuals this Independence Day holiday travel season, which is a 5.4% increase over last year’s travel volumes.

Some of the airports receiving new funding from the Biden-Harris Administration include:

$66.7 million to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona: This grant funds the site demolition and preparation for a new 2,100-foot taxiway to accommodate more flights.

$22.2 million to Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania: This grant funds the rehabilitation of a taxiway and engineered safety enhancements to a runway.

$30.1 million to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia: This grant funding will reconstruct a runway.

$8.2 million to Hollywood Burbank Airport in California: This grant funds the third phase of construction for a new terminal building. This phase consists of construction of the foundation and waterproofing to meet design standards.

$8.8 million to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut: This grant funds the rehabilitation of Runway 6/24 to improve safety.

$2.2 million to Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport in Wyoming: This grant funds construction of a new taxilane off Taxiway A to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area to meet current FAA standards.

$17.2 million to Palm Beach International Airport in Florida: This grant funds the rehabilitation of existing Runway 14/32 shoulders to improve safety. Additionally, this grant funds reconstruction of the pavement for Taxiways F and H.

$26.6 million to Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana: This grant funds reconstruction of Runway 5/23 to improve safety. 

$1.3 million to Knox County Regional Airport in Maine: This grant funds reconstruction of taxilanes and the southwest general aviation apron.

In addition to today’s AIG announcement, the FAA has opened the application period for airports to submit projects for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Airport Terminal Program (ATP), also funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The FY 2025 ATP provides approximately $1 billion in funding for safe, sustainable and accessible airport terminals, airport-owned airport traffic control towers, and on-airport rail and bus projects that improve multimodal connections.

“We’re seeing where our investments are making a real difference for communities across the nation,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. “I encourage airports to take advantage of this opportunity to build modern facilities that are accessible, safe, resilient to climate change impacts and achieve environmental sustainability.”

Since 2022, the FAA has announced over 300 projects to receive ATP grants aimed at improving the passenger experience, modernizing America’s airports, and improving competition in the airline industry by supporting equal access to infrastructure for airlines. To date, over 190 terminal projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s ATP program are under construction, and six projects are already complete.

Examples of these projects include:

$14.4 million to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona: This project updated and expanded the existing terminal to replace the temporary 4-gate facility with a permanent 5-gate. The new terminal facility improves energy efficiency and achieves Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for individuals with access and functional needs.

$24 million to San Diego International Airport in California: This funding supported the demolition and reconstruction of a new energy efficient terminal facility with 19 passenger gates increasing passenger capacity. 

$1.8 million to Corpus Christi International Airport in Texas: This project modernized restrooms, lactation rooms and service animal relief areas throughout the airport. Additionally, this project modernized the energy management systems including energy efficient generators, HVAC, and installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

$5 million to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Tennessee: This project added two new gates, one expanded gate, new restrooms, and an additional TSA screening lane. The additional space increased passenger capacity to achieve ADA compliance.

$219,988 to Henderson City-County Airport in Kentucky: This project installed a new roof for the terminal building. 

$11 million to Missoula Airport in Montana: This project constructed phase 2 of a new terminal building equipped with energy efficient systems, improving capacity for increased passenger demand.

In February 2024, after a robust competition, Secretary Buttigieg announced the project selections for the FY 2024 ATP totaling approximately $1 billion. The selected projects are moving quickly towards implementation.

Airports are encouraged to submit eligible project applications for the FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program as soon as possible but no later than 5 PM ET, July 31, 2024. The Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines the criteria for airports to apply.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes a historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness by rebuilding America’s roads and bridges, upgrading and expanding public transit and rail, and modernizing the nation’s ports and airports. To date, the Administration has announced over $454 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for over 57,000 infrastructure projects across the nation and has mobilized over $877 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States.  

Airports, Industry Leaders Unveil Airport Digital Marketplace Concept

Kim Stevens

The American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT) has released broad research that examines the concept of an Airport Digital Marketplace, aimed at enhancing stakeholder engagement and driving revenue growth through digital transformation.

The objectives of an Airport Digital Marketplace are to personalize and simplify passenger journeys; modernize processes; boost revenue; and streamline operations. The Digital Marketplace integrates retail and dining, enables service provider collaboration, bolsters data analytics, and offers targeted advertising.

ACT collaborated with Schneider Electric, San Antonio International Airport, and industry experts to identify opportunities to for new digital solutions and develop strategies for implementation in the report.

“Establishing an airport information exchange datahub delivers transformative benefits to the aviation industry,” said Kyle Herbig, Vice President, Airport Solutions, at AAAE. “This digital marketplace concept can revolutionize airport interactions by enhancing efficiency, improving customer experience, and unlocking new revenue streams. AAAE is committed to leading these initiatives.”

“Our goal with the Airport Digital Marketplace is to revolutionize how airports interact with passengers, airlines, and retailers,” added Thomas Bartlett, C.M., Deputy Director of Airports at San Antonio International Airport. “This initiative will allow airports to leverage data analytics for better decision-making and offer tailored services that meet the evolving needs of passengers.”

“Digitization plays a pivotal role in transforming the airport ecosystem, enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience,” said Kieran McLoughlin, Vice President, Digital Solutions, at Schneider Electric.  “We are proud to contribute our expertise and thought leadership to the latest AAAE white paper, outlining the significant impact of digital solutions in shaping the future of airports worldwide.” For more information about the Airport Digital Marketplace or to access the White Paper, visit this webpage.