An Introduction to Airport

Operations

AVA10001 - Introduction to Aviation – Lecture 06

2023 Presented by Keith Mallegrom 1

Overview
1.
•
•
•
•
•
2.
•
•
•
•

3.
•

4.
•
•
•
•
•
• Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal
•
AVA10001 L07 – Part 1

Part 1
The Impact of
Airports
What is an Airport?

An airport (Aerodromes, Airstrips, Runways,

Airbases, Heliports & Helipads)
 The actual sites that allow for the transfer of
passengers and goods between air and land
(road and rail).

 The point of interaction of all components of the

air transport system, i.e.
o The airport (runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals etc.)
o Airlines.
o Users – passengers, freight, ground transport, support
activities.
Port Hedland Airport
 For an airport to operate efficiently and
successfully, all its major components must
operate in equilibrium.

 Small airports can struggle.

Airports are a Major Global Economic Force
Globally there are 2,000+ member airports of Airports Council International (ACI)
There are 4,300 plus airports with Regular Public Transport (RPT).
How many airports are there in Australia?

If the airport Industry was an economy, it would rank in the mid 50’s a bit below
New Zealand.

In 2019:
 4.5 billion people flew. (Source IATA)
 It was predicted that Airline passenger traffic would grow by an average of
4.6% each year over the next 20 years >>> a huge impact on airports.
 Over 700 new destinations from the top 20 airports over last 10 years.
 Worldwide fleet trebled over the previous 20 years.
 There were already predictions that airports would start having capacity
restraints.

Will the demise of large 4 engine aircraft (i.e. A380 and B747) have an impact?
Australian Airports
Some Key Australian Legislative Requirements

CASA Website Details

https://www.casa.gov.au/search-centre/rules/part-139-casr-aerodromes#

CASA Part 139 Regulations & Manual of Standards

Aerodrome Lighting (Green Chromaticity) Exemption 2019 - CASA EX30/19

Aircraft Parking Position and Apron Marking (Ground Power Units) - CASA
EX09/20

Air Services Australia (firefighting vehicle colour) - CASA EX67/19

Safety management systems for aerodromes - Advisory Circular AC 139-16

Sample aerodrome manual template for Part 139 of CASR

Strength rating of aerodrome pavements - Advisory Circular AC 139.C-07

All-weather operations at aerodromes - Advisory Circular AC 139-19

Aerodrome and aircraft compatibility - Advisory Circular AC 139.A-02

Sample aerodrome manual template for Part 139 of CASR

Top 15 Airports in the World in 2019
Top 15 airports in the world in 2019

The top 15 States by RPK included:

 6 States from Europe
 5 States from Asia/Pacific
 2 States from the Middle East
 2 States from North America

Performance in Numbers:
World Airport Data

Key figures 2019

(versus 2018)

(Source: ACI)
Fastest Growing Airports

Istanbul Airport Source: ACI

9
The Impact on Airports going Forward
 In 2016 there were currently 58 Aviation Mega-Cities of
which 45 were already schedule-constraints.

 By 2036 it is estimated there will be 95 Aviation Megacities.

Calculating Passengers
Departing Pax + Arriving Pax + Transfer Pax + Direct Transit Pax
 A passenger who transfers from one flight to another is counted twice by the
airport in which they make their transfer.
 A direct transit passenger is someone whose stops temporarily at an airport & then
departs again on a plane with the same flight number.
These passengers are counted once.

The top 10 busiest airports in the world (2018) (Pax enplaning & deplaning)
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) 107,394,029
2. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) 100,983,290
3. Dubai International Airport (DXB) 89,189,387
4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 87,534,384
5. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) 87,131,973
6. O’Hare International Airport, Chicago (ORD) 83,339,186
7. London Heathrow (LHR) 80,126,320
8. Hong Kong International Airport (HKA) 74,517,402 *
9. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) 74,006,331
10. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) 72,229,723
Approx. 70th Melbourne Airport 38,800,000

NOTE: HK was the largest for Metric Tonnes Cargo. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
 Passenger Want’s
at Airports
IATA’s 2021 Global Passenger Survey (GPS),
concluded that Passengers want:
• Biometric ident if it expedites processes.
• To spend less time queuing (i.e.. security
screening, border control, immigration).
• Technology to work harder.
• Data protection.
• Clarity on who their data is shared with.
• Regs to support paperless experiences.
• To share their biometric data to improve
airport processes.
• Share immigration information prior to
departure to expedite processing.
• To spend less than 45-mins on processes at
the airport if they are only traveling with
hand luggage.
• To spend less than 1-hour processes at
airport when traveling with checked bags.
• IATA Travel Pass to manage the myriad of
governments travel health credentials.
Airports & Global Environment Issues

For ACI’s Neutrality Carbon Accreditation Program

 In 2017, Sunshine Coast Airport became Australia’s 1st .
 Sydney and Melbourne have made targets
 In 2019, there’s already over 47 accredited airports in 16
EU countries representing 23.0% of Europe’s pax traffic
Source: Airports
 Some key EU airports include London Gatwick, Schiphol Council
Amsterdam, Budapest, International
Europe | ACI
EUROPE - Home
 They are targeting 100 carbon neutral airports by 2030 in (aci-europe.org)
Europe!
SDG – UN Sustainable Development Goals
Airport Employees
The aviation industry directly or indirectly
supports 87.7 million jobs globally.

There are around 11.3 million direct jobs

Where:
 648,000 (work for the airport operator)
 5.5 million work for other airport-based
roles: (retail, car rental, customs and
immigration, freight forwarders and
catering).
 3.6 million work for Airlines: (flight and
cabin crews, executives, ground services,
check-in, training, maintenance staff).
 Etc..

Source: Aviation Beyond Borders

Private Sector Attracted to Larger Airports
 Only 14% of 4,300 airports
are privately owned but they
account for 41% of
passengers.

 Scale increases private sector

involvement,
e.g.. 8 out of top 20 are
listed on stock exchanges.

Source: ACI
 Private sector involvement;
o Concession Contract 41%
o Freehold 24%
o Listed Airport 23%
o Management Contract 8%
o Other 4%.
15
Private Participation of Airports
Proportion of passengers handled by airports with private sector participation by region.
Note that there are Large regional variations in the U.S. as most airports are owned by
government entities - Federal / City / County / Port Authorities.

Source: ACI

16
AVA10001 L07 – Part 2

Part 2
Airport
Commercial
(Airport Revenue –
Aeronautical plus Other)
Ownership in Australia
 Post war, most were owned by Commonwealth Govt.,
 In 1996 the Airports Act privatised most major airports.

Now
 Large airports owned by Superannuation funds, investment funds, government.

 Attractive due to;

o Strong predictable cashflows
o Light touch regulation
o Potential for land banks.

 Small airports / regional

o Often local councils.

 MEL 39% owned by government

(20% Future fund & 18% NSW Government
managed by NSW Treasury).

18
Types of Revenue
for airports

 Aeronautical Revenue
o Generated from contracts with
airlines.
o Received from provision of access
to terminals, apron parking, airfield
including runways.
o Passenger charges collected by
airlines.
o Runway charges on a per pax basis
or MTOW (Max Take Off Weight).
o Aircraft parking charges.

 Non-Aeronautical
o Car Parking / Ground Access
o Retail / Food & Beverage
o Property. 19
 Strong performance for airports overall
 Non-aeronautical increasing in proportion
o Many large airports non-aero exceeds
aeronautical revenue
 MEL non-aero revenue >50%
 Performance of smaller regional airports
without international services less strong.
 Comparing Airlines to Airports in 2015
o ROI - Both ~ 6%
o Operating Margin
Airline 4.7%
Airport 22%

Source: ACI 20
 Dual till vs Single till

Single till
 Airlines want single till approach as the
non-aeronautical profits would not exist
without airlines servicing the airport.
 Non-Aeronautical revenues used to
cross-subsidize aeronautical costs.

Source: ACI

Dual till
Airports prefer dual till & the majority of privatised airports operate using dual till approach.
In this case:
 Aeronautical & non-aeronautical are two separate cost centres, so profits from non
aeronautical (i.e.. Commercial) - retail, food & beverage, car parking do not cross-
subsidize aeronautical.
 Aeronautical costs are funded by aeronautical charges only & paid for by
airlines/passengers.
21
Globally, non-aeronautical is US$7.97 per pax

 Single till (preferred by airlines)

o Average non-aeronautical revenue per pax
o US $7.61

 Hybrid till (mix of Single and Dual till)

o Average non-aeronautical revenue per pax
o US $8.07

 Dual till (preferred by airports)

o Average non-aeronautical revenue per pax
o US $8.57

Possible explanation – in dual till, airlines fund aeronautical & this leaves airports free
to invest more in developments that create non-aeronautical revenue.
Income Streams

Source: AAA submission to

Productivity Commission 2018

About 56% of all revenue is from Aeronautical related streams 23

MELB. Performance
Revenue $1,047m
Operating Margin 73%
Net Margin 37%

China 2nd for arrivals numbers but

easily first for retail spend per
passenger.

Source: APAM
Annual Report 2019
~ Global
 Income Streams: Aeronautical – Landing Charges
 Basis for the charge is the need to provide
for infrastructure & future investments.
o Sometimes variable rate to manage
demand (Peak vs Off Peak).
o Increasingly incorporated into a
passenger charge for passenger
services.
 For Freighters, it is based on MTOW.
 For large construction projects such as
new runways, airlines may be asked to pay
for many years prior to opening.
o Airlines have been paying higher
landing fees in BNE since 2013 to part
fund the $1.3bn runway.

Brisbane Airport
 Distribution of total costs (2016) - Global

Capital Costs comprise:

62% Depreciation
32% Interest Expenses
 Income Streams: Aeronautical
Aircraft Parking Charges
 Often charged in 15 minute intervals.

 Airports may reduce or eliminate parking

charges to encourage traffic growth.

 MEL does not charge for aircraft parking.

 SYD charges $35 per 15 mins for the first 3

hours, $50 per 15 mins thereafter.

28
Income Streams: Aeronautical
Boarding Bridge Charges
 Where airports have a mix of on gate
aircraft parking & remote parking, fees
often charged for using boarding bridges.

 Low Cost Carriers often avoid gate charges

& board PAX by steps.

Freight & Baggage Handling

 Freight is usually sub-contracted, but
baggage handling tends to be an
airport function.
 Eg: MEL International terminal.

29
Income Streams: Aeronautical
Navaids, lighting & Aerodrome Rescue &
Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS)
 Navaids can be owned by airports but are usually owned by the Air Navigation Service
Provider (ANSP) (i.e., Airservices Australia) & included in their charges.
 In Australia, the are also run by Airservices.
 However, many regional airports have invested in Navaids, especially ILS systems, &
can charge.

30
Income Streams: Aeronautical
NOTE: Security concepts for costs, airport design,
insurance changed radically after 911.

Security charges: Australia

 Screening is high cost- both capital cost of
equipment & personnel costs.
 Security screening is a responsibility of the
terminal or airport operator.
 MEL Airport: T1 was operated & paid for by
Qantas until 2018
- now integrated into MEL airport
 International, T3 & T4 operated & paid for by
MEL airport.
 Charge is passed on to airlines, normally as a
per passenger fee.

31
Income Streams: Aeronautical
Capacity restrictions & slots
At capacity-constrained airports the airport may regulate usage by slot management
 Slot = Permission to land /depart at a particular time (a slot pair)

 Three levels of slot coordination;

o Level 1 - Non Coordinated Airport
o Level 2 - Schedules Facilitated Airport
– ‘Voluntary cooperation’
o Level 3 - Coordinated Airport
(43% of global traffic 200 airports)

 IATA Slot conference held twice a year to allocate slots at level 3 airports & reach
consensus on schedule adjustments (level 2)
o Use it or lose it (80% use required)

 Additionally, Sydney Airport is governed by the Sydney Airport Demand Management

Act 1997.
o The Act restricts movements to 80 in any hour.
o Operation devolved to third party: Airport Coordination Australia
Sydney Airport Aeronautical Charges

Covers Aeronautical charges for:

https://assets.ctfassets.n
 International et/v228i5y5k0x4/7AH2fS
 Domestic AwASSSCQQPJ3rdp8/9de
dc45ba9666356ffeac8ef
 Regional 4d6d2c3d/Table_of_Char
ges_COU_Version_2.40_-
 Freight, GA, Helicopter _1_January_2020.pdf
 Melbourne Aeronautical Charges

https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/getmedia/08eac2e3-3171-4134-a324-43408b6191c4/APAM-Schedule-of-Charges-for-Non-
Signatories-to-an-ASA-1-July-2019.pdf.aspx
Distribution of Non-Aeronautical Revenue – Global
Income Streams: Non-aeronautical
Parking & Ground Access
 For most larger airport’s it’s the
primary source of income.
 MEL $214m revenue a year for
parking & ground access
 Over half a million dollars each day
 20% of revenue.

Some companies provide off-site parking 36

Ground Access
Variety of users
o Private car
o Taxi / Uber
o Ride share
o Rental car
o Shuttle bus
o Bus
o Rail ? (e.g. Bne & Syd only)

Airports often have bottlenecks on approach to the

airport & multiple pedestrian crossings which
represent a hazard for pedestrians.
 MEL - Elevated roadway now under construction
to bypass traffic lights & limit pedestrian/vehicle
conflict.
 At grade roads will be exclusively for commercial
vehicles & emergency services.

37
Income Streams: Non-aeronautical
Terminal Retail
 Key revenue area for international airports
 Retail space at large airports has high cost per square
metre. Can be double the rate of a city shopping
mall.
 Designed to maximise dwell time of passengers
before flights.
 Create circuitous walkways that funnel passengers
through retail space.
 Airports have traditionally limited available
free seating thereby encouraging shopping.

Terminal design for retail revenue

 New technologies track passengers, NFC / Beacons.
 New technology in advertising relates to where flights come from/go to.
 Moving toward advertising that relates to the individual.
38
Income Streams: Non-aeronautical
Property and real estate business development

 Many airports have substantial land banks.

 Government regulations can permit

development of land not essential to aviation
o Melbourne’s Urbn Surf.

 Also extensive development of catering

facilities, cargo, etc.
o Many of these facilities are moving
further afield, away from expensive
airport land.

39
 Productivity Commission
Economic Regulation of Airports
• Preliminary report issued in 2019 covering
SYD/BNE/MEL/PER.
https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/airports-2019/report

• Airlines wanted a negotiate-arbitrage outcome

where an independent party could adjudicate
if airlines & airports couldn’t agree on pricing.

• Findings
o The 4 airports have significant market power.
• BUT
o Airports have not systematically exercised
their market power in commercial
negotiations, aeronautical charges & car
parking.
o No need to change current ‘light handed’
regulation as it is fit for purpose.
o Monitoring regime should be strengthened
to include data on domestic/international
aeronautical pricing splits.
AVA10001 L07 – Part 3

Part 3
Airport Physical
Characteristics
Physical Characteristics

So what makes up
an airport?

42
Runways – Lots of Variety (small to gigantic)

Courchevel Airport – French Alps Gustaf III Airport – St. Barthelemy

537m 18.9% gradient 650m long

King Fahad International, Funchal Madeira Airport – Portugal

Damman 1km runway extension bridge over sea
Aerodrome Reference Codes
An aerodrome reference code - code number & letter - which is selected for aerodrome
planning purposes are determined in accordance with the characteristics of the aircraft for
which an aerodrome facility is intended.

Where: ARFL - Aeroplane Reference Field Length

OMGWS - Outer main gear wheel span
MTOW - Max Take-off Weight
TP - Tyre Pressure
Aerodrome Reference Codes (ICAO)

Field length = Minimum take-off length at MTOW at sea-level

46
Melbourne Airport
Taxiways
A defined path on a land
aerodrome established for the
taxiing of aircraft & intended to
provide a link between one part
of the aerodrome & another.

48
Taxiways
Apron Taxiway Aircraft Stand Taxi-lane
A portion of a taxiway system located on A portion of an apron designated as a taxiway
an apron & intended to provide a through & intended to provide access to aircraft stands
taxi route across the apron: only.
Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET)
A taxiway connected to a runway at an acute angle & designed to allow landing
aircraft to turn off at higher speeds than are achieved on other exit taxiways thereby
minimizing runway occupancy times.
Aprons
A defined area, on a land
aerodrome, intended to
accommodate aircraft for
purposes of loading or unloading
passengers, mail or cargo,
fuelling, parking or maintenance.
Melbourne Airport
Terminal Buildings
Airside/Landside

Airside - The movement area & adjacent terrain & buildings which are
access/security controlled
Movement Area

Movement Area =
Aprons/Taxiways/Runways &
any area for the surface
movement of aircraft

54
Aircraft
Maintenance
Hangars
Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting
 Airservices responsibility in Australia
 10 categories in ICAO
 The size of largest aircraft determines
requirement (length & wingspan).

56
 On-airport Fuel storage

JUHI- Joint User Hydrant Installation Drum fuel

57
 Access roads & hotels

Catering
Car parks

Animal handling

Met station

58
AVA10001 L07 – Part 4

Part 4
Operational
Airport Melbourne Airport

Management

Sydney Airport
Aerodrome Manual- Why do we have one?
ICAO Annex 14 Aerodromes
 Standards & Recommended Practices (SARPS)
 International Best Practice.
CASA Regulatory Requirement
 To ensure requirements of CASR 139.045 & MOS 139 on
Aerodrome operating procedures are covered.
 CASA to assess Aerodrome Certificate Holder suitability.
 Essential part of the aerodrome’s SMS.
 Clearly defines roles, responsibilities etc.
What Purpose does is Serve?
 Sets out the aerodrome policy on safety & reflects the
company philosophy.
 Shows how management discharge safety responsibilities.
 It is an information system.
 Identifies expected performance standards.
 A quality control mechanism (internal reporting system,
risk assessment, etc.).
 Basis for audit, both internal & external.
Aerodrome Manual
Why, What, Who?
 Why do we have one?
 What is it & what purpose does it serve?
 Who is it intended for?

 The problem issues!!

CASA have issued

• Aerodrome Certification, Registration & Approved
Persons Procedures Manual.
• Part 139 Guide to Sample Manual
o Part 139 Sample Manual template
o Advisory Circular (AC) 139.C-01 Aerodrome
Manual provides guidance on developing &
maintaining an Aerodrome manual.
Aerodrome Manual
Who is it intended for?

All Aerodrome Stakeholders

• Aerodrome Management
• Aerodrome Operating Staff 1 Aerodrome Administration
1.2 Organisational structure
• Service Providers/Contractors 2.2 Aerodrome site plan
2.4.1 Runways
• Ground Handlers 2.4.2 Taxiways & taxi-lanes
• Airlines 2.4.3
3
Aircraft parking positions
Aerodrome Operating Procedures & Systems
• Regulators 3.2 Aerodrome serviceability inspections
3.3 Aerodrome lighting
3.4 Unauthorised entry to aerodrome
3.5 Airside vehicle control
3.6 Aircraft parking control
3.7 Aerodrome obstacle control
3.8 Protection of …………
3.9 Aerodrome inspections / manual validations
3.1 Aerodrome works safety
3.11 Wildlife hazard management
3.12 Low-visibility operations (LVO)
3.13 Disabled aircraft removal
3.14 Aerodrome safety management
4 Aerodrome Emergency Response

advisory-circular-139-c-01-aerodrome-manual (1).pdf sample-aerodrome-manual-part-139-template.docx (live.com)

Aerodrome Manual
The Problem Issues
Certificate Holder is responsible for keeping it
current (hard copy, internet, intranet, etc.?)
 Adequate dissemination
 Ensuring awareness
 Ensuring compliance
 Ensuring consistency with referenced
procedures.
 Airport responsible for airport maintenance
(i.e.. Runways, buildings, taxiways, etc.)
But airlines often have leases or own gates.

An effective
Safety Management System (SMS)
Aerodrome Serviceability
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) - [Foreign Object Damage]

FOD includes any object found in an inappropriate location that - as a result of being in
that location - can damage equipment or injure aircraft or airport personnel.

The resulting damage has been estimated to cost the aerospace industry US
$4bn a year.
Aerodrome Serviceability - FOD
FOD includes a wide range of material, usually found on
taxiways & aprons from vehicles & smaller items such as:
 Catering supplies & cargo handling;
 Building materials, Rock, sand, Pavement fragments;
 Pieces of luggage, Loose hardware, Tools;
 Wildlife, especially insects which can obstruct
unprotected aircraft pitot tubes or static vents;
o BNE mud wasp nests can be built in 20 minutes
o Requirement to cover pitot tubes.

FOD typically falls into several main categories on the

runway and consists largely of:
 Aircraft parts;
 Tools;
 Small metal panels or metallic structures;
 Torches & equipment;
 Even wheel chocks.
Aerodrome Serviceability- FOD
Aircraft Accident due FOD
Air France Concorde Flight 4590 - 25 July 2000:
 Crashed 60 seconds after take off from Paris
 All on board killed, 100 passengers &
9 crew & 4 on ground fatalities
 Metal on runway caused a tyre burst which
then caused
 Tank to rupture & catch fire.

Metal originated from Continental DC-10 which

departed 5 minutes earlier.
 Strip incorrectly manufactured & installed &
then separated.
Aerodrome Serviceability - Runway Inspections
What are we looking for?
 FOD
 Contamination (Oil, Water, Sand etc)
 Surface break up
 Weeds on clear & graded area
 Rubber deposits on runways
 Runway pavement joints & loose joint seal
 Condition of runway shoulders
 Areas of poor drainage & standing water
 Damaged lighting
 Condition of signs & reflective markings
 Wildlife activity
Aerodrome Serviceability – Stand/Bay
Aircraft Stand/Bay Inspections

In addition to checks for FOD & pavement conditions:

 Emergency telephone
 Emergency stop button VDGS/NIGS
 Fuel cut off switch
 Fire extinguishers
 Docking system control
 Markings, signs, placards
Aerodrome Serviceability - Runways
Contaminated Runways
 Can seriously affect aircraft braking action.
 Can cause the aircraft to aquaplane & lose control.
Aerodrome Serviceability - runway
Adequate runway friction is vital...
 Deceleration of the aircraft after landing or rejected take off.
 Directional control during ground roll, on take off or landing aggravated by crosswinds.
 Wheel spin at touchdown.
 Possibility of structural damage.

‘Grip tester’ friction measurement

CASA MOS specifies minimum friction levels

Rubber removal
Aerodrome Serviceability
Inspection Documentation
 Aerodrome Manual should contain (or reference), detailed requirements on:
o All inspections & the appropriate follow-up requirements
o All responsibilities must be clearly defined
o Keep good records of ALL Inspections.

 Airports are moving away from paper-based systems towards electronic capture of
inspection data. Melb uses a product from Aero Ascent.

Source: Aero Ascent

Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGL)
Aerodrome Serviceability - Ground Lighting
• Control & measurement of the electrical characteristics of circuitry.
• In-field measurement of the intensity, beam spread & orientation of lights using
photometric trailers.

72
Wildlife Hazard Management

US Airlines flight 1549 – ‘Miracle on the Hudson’’

US Airways Flight 1549 HD Animation - Hudson Landing

https://youtu.be/jZPvVwvX_Nc

Miracle on the Hudson | US Airways Flight 1549

https://youtu.be/-0l2pEdbeUI
Bird Hazard Management
Hazard is greatest at low altitudes as that’s where bird activity is
concentrated & at airports as that’s where the greatest concentration
of aircraft is found.
Therefore, much focus is on bird hazard management on airports.

CASR 139.105 & MOS 139 Chapter 11.08; 17

 Airport manual must address arrangements for assessing, reporting & removing bird
& animal hazards.

 Problems with the airport centric approach

to bird hazards:
o The airport-centred bird strike risk is
rarely confined to the perimeter.
o Many of the most hazardous strike
encounters are with large flocks of birds
& take place far from the airport so the
airport operating authority will often
have little real influence over the
circumstances.
Bird Hazard Management - Attractants
 Habitat features including open areas of grass & water as well as shrubs & trees
provide food & roosting sites for birds.
 Landfill & other waste disposal sites close to an airport often attract large numbers
of birds if they are not carefully managed.

 Airport Habitat Management

o Shrubs & surface water management
o Exclusion of roosting opportunities in buildings & trees within airport perimeter.
 Improve drainage to limit standing water.
 Regular grass cutting.
 Regularly inspect airport viewing areas for waste/overflowing bins.
Bird Hazard Management - solutions
 Liaison with local authorities to ensure landfill waste disposal
sites are not operated so-as-to create an aircraft hazard.
 Liaison with local farmers to limit the attraction of birds to
fields.

Use of bird scaring techniques such as:

 Broadcast of bird distress signals;
 Firing of pyrotechnic bird scaring cartridges
e.g., Bird Frite.
 Use bird of prey (with handlers).
Aerodrome Safeguarding
Aerodrome Safeguarding is to take measures necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft
while taking-off or landing, or while flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome.
This is achieved by a process of checking proposed developments
 Protect the blocks of air through which aircraft fly.
 Protect the integrity of radar & other electronic aids to air navigation by preventing
reflections.
 Protect visual aids, such as lighting, by preventing them from being obscured.
 Avoid any increase in the risk to aircraft of a bird-strike by preventing an increase in
hazardous bird species in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
Safeguarding -
Obstacle Limitation
Surfaces (OLS)

What are OLS?

A defined airspace around
aerodromes which are to be
maintained free from obstacles in
order to allow aircraft operations
to be conducted safely.
Managing Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS)
 Prescribed Airspace over OLS/PANS OPS.
 Activities that intrude into Prescribed Airspace are ‘Controlled Activities’.
 Local councils need to review all building/development applications for
infringements into Prescribed Airspace.
 If infringement is likely must refer to airport operator.
 Survey conducted at least annually as part of Airports Annual Technical Inspection
to assess status of Prescribed Airspace.

79
Aircraft Noise
Australia uses Australia Noise Exposure Forecast
(ANEF).
 Their system provides a scientific measure of
noise exposure from aircraft operations around
airports.
 It can also provide valuable guidance for land use
planning in the vicinity of an airport.
 Airservices leads noise monitoring efforts.

80
Noise Abatement
Principles
 Procedures optimised to achieve the lowest possible overall impact on the community.
 Noise should be concentrated as much as possible over non-residential areas.
 Noise exposure should be shared whenever possible.
 Curfews (time 11pm – 6am in Syd; Aircraft types – prop vs Jet; heavy fines).

Mechanisms
 Preferred runways
 Preferred flight paths
 Noise emission reduction through aircraft
operator procedures (thrust/drag settings
on climb/approach)
 Noise rest bite
o Rotation of flight tracks
o Operational restrictions e.g. curfew
Managing Airside Development Projects
Types of Projects
 Building a new runway.
 Re-surfacing and/or extending a runway.
 Upgrading a taxiway.
 Repairing pavements.
Managing Airside Development Projects

Types of Projects
 Building new aircraft aprons
 Building a new ATC tower
 Extending a terminal building or baggage
hall
 Installing new navaids
 Installing new AGL systems
 Re-designating a runway or taxiway
 Improving the obstacle environment
 Re-configuring stands, etc. etc.
Working with Operational Constraints
Managing Contractors
Introduce daily sign off for safety briefs given to contractors before they commence
work for the day which should include?
 Weather forecast
 Operational restrictions
 Safety brief
 FOD control
 Check the site before they leave to ensure it is left safe & operational

Controlling the contractors is the accountability of the aerodrome operator – no one else.
Airside Development Projects
Poorly managed developments can lead to accidents!
Taipei Airport – 31 October 2001 – 83 fatalities…
 Airside Development Projects

Poorly managed developments can lead to accidents!

 Singapore Airlines flight SQ006, daily service from Singapore-Taipei-Los Angeles, crashed
on takeoff from Taipei's Chang Kai Shek International Airport at 23:18 local time.
 The weather in the area was poor, precipitated by a typhoon. Weather five minutes prior
to the accident was reported as 69F/21C, wind from 020°at 37 knots, gusting to 56
knots, visibility 1/4 mile in heavy rain.
 Subsequent investigation of the accident confirmed that the flight crew mistakenly
attempted takeoff on Runway 05R (9029x150ft), instead of the planned Runway 05L
(12008x200ft).
 NOTAMs showed that, at the time of the accident, Runway 05R was closed for repairs, &
that numerous pieces of construction equipment were parked on the runway.
 Approaching 140 knots, the 747 impacted the construction vehicles, breaking the
fuselage into three parts & igniting a large post-crash fire.
Final thoughts
 Airports are exciting & complex environments.
 Commercially, large airports in Australia perform very well.
 The staff that work for the aerodrome operator itself are a fraction of those that
work at the airport for airlines, ground handlers, caterers, cargo etc.
 The aerodrome operator is accountable for delivering a safe operational
environment within the fence line.
 Safe Operations can only be achieved by working effectively with all stakeholders in
a partnership & achieving success is through people.
 Key challenges include:
o Security, safety, health monitoring, congestion, waste management
o Environment, carbon emissions, renewable energy, new fuel types.
o Human & wildlife trafficking, passenger tracking
 Some good videos

1. Sydney Airport and Qantas Airlines Operations https://youtu.be/KBmqTLsuwAo

2. Western Sydney Aerotropolis: https://youtu.be/4qMFMn8jdI4
3. The Biggest revamp of Melbourne Airport https://youtu.be/4tq8irsT8cc