Airport capacity and demand are two key concepts that affect the performance, planning and management of airports. In this article, you will learn what they mean, how they are measured and what are the main factors that influence them.
Airport capacity is the maximum number of aircraft movements (take-offs and landings) that an airport can handle in a given period of time, under certain conditions. It depends on various factors, such as the runway configuration, the air traffic control system, the weather, the aircraft mix, the noise restrictions and the operational procedures. Airport capacity can be expressed in different ways, such as hourly, daily or annual capacity, and can vary depending on the demand pattern, the season and the time of day.
Airport demand is the number of aircraft movements that airlines and other users want to operate at an airport in a given period of time, under certain conditions. It depends on various factors, such as the market size, the passenger preferences, the airline strategies, the fares, the competition, the regulation and the external shocks. Airport demand can be expressed in different ways, such as origin-destination, transfer or total demand, and can vary depending on the demand elasticity, the seasonality and the time of day.
The capacity-demand balance is the relationship between the airport capacity and the airport demand at a given point in time. It indicates how well an airport can accommodate the desired level of traffic, and how much congestion, delay or inefficiency it may experience. A positive balance means that the airport has excess capacity, and can handle more traffic without compromising the quality of service. A negative balance means that the airport has insufficient capacity, and may face operational problems, such as queueing, rationing or slot allocation.
Capacity-demand analysis is the process of estimating and comparing the airport capacity and the airport demand, both current and future, and identifying the potential gaps or surpluses. It is an essential tool for airport planning and management, as it helps to evaluate the performance, identify the needs and prioritize the investments of an airport. Capacity-demand analysis can be done at different levels of detail and complexity, depending on the purpose, the data availability and the methods used.
Capacity-demand factors are the variables that influence airport capacity and demand, either directly or indirectly. These can be divided into four categories: physical, technical, operational and environmental factors for capacity, and market, behavioral, strategic and external factors for demand. Examples of capacity-demand factors include physical factors such as runway length, width, orientation, separation and pavement condition; technical factors like air traffic control equipment and systems; operational factors like air traffic control rules and regulations; environmental factors like weather conditions and phenomena; market factors such as passenger and cargo demand and supply; behavioral factors like passenger preferences and choices; strategic factors including airline network and hub structure; and external factors like economic and social conditions.
Capacity-demand implications are the consequences and challenges that arise from the capacity-demand balance or imbalance at an airport. These implications can affect the airport, airlines, passengers, environment, and society in various ways. For example, airports may be impacted by revenue generation and cost recovery, while airlines may experience profitability and competitiveness. Passengers can be affected by travel time and convenience, as well as fare affordability and availability. The environment may be impacted by noise and emission impacts, land use and resource consumption, biodiversity and ecosystem effects, climate change and mitigation. Lastly, the society may be impacted by economic and social benefits, employment and income generation, connectivity and accessibility, equity and inclusion.