Should airports re-evaluate growth projects in light of COVID-19?

Abstract

Following several decades of growth, COVID-19 has confronted the aviation industry with an unprecedented drop in demand. As airports are forced to focus on business continuity and crisis recovery, the question arises as to whether they should re-evaluate growth projects. In the short term, whilst the industry focuses on traffic recovery, most airports will be required to pause or reconsider longer-term growth projects involving major new infrastructure. The authors find that opportunities can still exist for airports to proceed with capacity growth projects — even considering the current crisis. Their comparatively low complexity, cost and lead times make capacity interventions involving process and technology enhancements viable alternatives or precursors to physical infrastructure interventions. By referring to a redefined purpose and integrated growth definition, the authors also identify opportunities for airports to continue investing in organisational growth, revenue growth and sustainable growth. This opinion piece further explores critical growth enablers, including customer centricity, change management and collaborative value creation. As airports continue to invest in these growth projects, the industry builds the resilience to overcome this latest crisis, and to thrive in future ones. This paper discusses opportunities for airports to continue investing in capacity growth, albeit with increased focus on targeted process and technology interventions.