We learn more from our mistakes than from our successes: Lessons learned on ORAT and failed activation of airport passenger terminals

Abstract

Building an airport is no easy task. Neither is delivering it in a state of operational readiness, which must encompass facility, system and people readiness. History is full of examples of (in)famous airport opening failures because of mistakes made during construction and activation. This paper will explore poor Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) processes as a key reason for the failure of airport projects, with a thorough analysis of a recommended ORAT programme framework, comprising six core processes, three support processes and six project management processes. Each process is explained in a practical manner, in a recipe-like format and with the dos and do nots that increase the chances of successful delivery on opening day and daily operations thereafter. The paper highlights the real-life issues that come with tracking and improving every step of the construction and trials to ensure the operational readiness of the airport.