How can airport infrastructure be better prepared for future crises?

1 Assess risk and contingency scenarios

One of the key steps to prepare for future crises is to assess the potential risks and impacts that could affect airport infrastructure. This includes identifying the sources of uncertainty, such as natural disasters, security threats, pandemics, or market fluctuations, and analyzing how they could affect the airport's operations, finances, and stakeholders. Based on this analysis, airports should develop contingency scenarios and plans that outline the actions and resources needed to mitigate the risks and ensure continuity of service. These plans should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing environment and emerging challenges.

2 Invest in digital and smart solutions

Another way to improve airport infrastructure's preparedness is to invest in digital and smart solutions that can enhance efficiency, flexibility, and innovation. For example, airports can use data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize their capacity and demand management, monitor their performance and assets, and improve their decision making and forecasting. Moreover, airports can leverage technologies such as biometrics, self-service, contactless, and automation to improve their passenger experience and safety, reduce their operational costs and carbon footprint, and create new revenue streams and business models.

3 Strengthen collaboration and communication

A third aspect of preparing for future crises is to strengthen the collaboration and communication among the airport's internal and external stakeholders. This includes fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and learning within the airport organization, as well as engaging with the airport's customers, partners, regulators, and communities. By sharing information, best practices, and feedback, airports can improve their coordination and alignment, identify and address gaps and issues, and leverage synergies and opportunities. Furthermore, by maintaining a dialogue with their stakeholders, airports can enhance their reputation and credibility, and build support and loyalty.

4 Diversify revenue and funding sources

A fourth element of preparing for future crises is to diversify the airport's revenue and funding sources. This means exploring new ways to generate income and value from the airport's infrastructure, assets, and services, as well as securing alternative and sustainable sources of financing and investment. For example, airports can develop new products and services that cater to different market segments and customer needs, such as cargo, logistics, e-commerce, or health. Additionally, airports can seek funding from public-private partnerships, green bonds, or grants that support their infrastructure development and innovation.

5 Enhance staff capacity and well-being

A fifth factor of preparing for future crises is to enhance the airport's staff capacity and well-being. This involves investing in the airport's human capital, by providing training, development, and career opportunities, as well as ensuring their health, safety, and welfare. By doing so, airports can improve their staff's skills, competencies, and motivation, as well as retain and attract talent. Moreover, by caring for their staff, airports can foster a sense of belonging, commitment, and pride among their employees, and create a positive and productive work environment.

6 Learn from best practices and benchmarks

A sixth and final aspect of preparing for future crises is to learn from the best practices and benchmarks of other airports and industries. This means benchmarking the airport's performance and practices against the standards and expectations of the market, customers, and regulators, as well as seeking inspiration and insights from the innovations and solutions of other sectors and regions. By doing so, airports can identify their strengths and weaknesses, measure their progress and impact, and discover new ideas and opportunities. Furthermore, by learning from others, airports can foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and improvement.