Airport Revenue Diversification

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 19: Airport Revenue Diversification explores the different sources of revenue for airports, separating core aeronautical revenue from ancillary revenues. The report also examines ways that airports have diversified activities and highlights the challenges that arise when non-aeronautical activity is proposed on land that is subject to Federal Aviation Administration grants obligations and assurances.

This report presents the results of ACRP project 11-03, S01-01. It explores alternative financing options and revenue sources currently available or that could be available in the future to airport operators, stakeholders, and policymakers in the United States. The report examines common capital funding sources used by airport operators, a reviews capital financing mechanisms used by airports, describes various revenue sources developed by airport operators, and a reviews privatization options available to U.S. airport operators.

"TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 121: Innovative Revenue Strategies--An Airport Guide describes a broad range of tools and techniques to improve airport revenue streams, recover costs, and achieve operational efficiencies. The report identifies customer needs; airport-provided services and shared services, facilities, and equipment; revenue participation in real estate and natural resource development; value capture and other financing opportunities; and improvements to existing airport businesses." --

This report answers the following questions about airports' capital development projects: (1) How much are airports of various sizes spending on capital development and where is the money coming from? (2) If current funding levels continue, will they be sufficient to meet capital development planned for the 5-year period from 1997 through 2001?; and (3) If a difference exists between current funding and planned development, what is the potential effect of various proposals to increase airport funding? Includes testimony by Gerald Dillingham, Assoc. Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Div., General Accounting Office.

Placing the airport business within a conceptual framework, the author examines the major global issues that confront it and offers solutions to the economic and financial difficulties likely to arise in the future.

At head of title: Airport Cooperative Research Program.