As airports vary widely from one another, so do their technology priorities. However, despite how different individual airports can be, the size of an airport and the resulting level of complexity can dictate many of the technology priorities an airport organization may have. The following section showcases which technologies may have a notable impact on airports based on their size, as categorized by the FAA.
Technology by Large Airport
Large Airport Attributes
- High passenger volume
- Defined by the FAA as handling over 1% of annual boardings
- 24/7 operations to accommodate flights arriving throughout the day
- Accommodate all sizes of aircraft
- Heavy processing of both international and domestic passengers
- Serve multiple passenger demographics
- Serve a large number of air carriers
- Focus on the passenger experience
- Can be more open to risk
Relevant Technologies
- Advanced computing
- Mixed reality
- 5G (fifth generation) wireless
- Private cellular networks: CBRS and OnGo
- Robotics
- Blockchain
- Digital twin
- Artificial intelligence
- Autonomous vehicles
- Internet of things
Technology by Medium Airport
Medium Airport Attributes
- Passenger volume between 0.25% and 1% of annual boardings
- Offer capacity for air carrier operations and general aviation activity
- Rely more heavily on non-aviation revenue like rental car, parking, and concession revenue
- May serve more regional locations
- Fast growth
- Service growing commerce centers
- Deal with capacity issues
- Risk averse, look to other airport organizations to try technologies
- May have unique operating challenges
- Funds can be tied to construction projects
- Serve a small number of air carriers
Relevant Technologies
- Autonomous vehicles
- Robotics
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of things
- Digital twin
- Future transportation
Technology by Small Airport
Small Airport Attributes
- Service small communities or general aviation airports
- Focus more on meeting operational and service levels
- Can be government-funded and centrally controlled
- Look at new revenue streams and keeping costs low
- Very difficult to justify innovation unless direct and proven business improvement
- Only enough money for safe business expenses
- Focus heavily on maintaining day-to-day operations
- Interested in new revenue streams
- Serve only a few air carriers
Relevant Technologies
- 3D (three-dimensional) printing
- Future transportation
- Internet of things