As airlines cut service to small and mid-sized cities, once bustling airports now find whole terminals vacated, and are looking to find new revenue models for the vacated space, reports Jane L. Levere.
Rampant consolidation and cost-cutting in the airline industry have seen airlines concentrate more of their flights on bigger-city airports, to the detriment of formerly bustling hubs such as St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Oakland. "Airports generate revenue in two ways - through fees paid by airlines and general aviation operators and through income from parking, car rentals, concessions, advertising space sales and rentals of maintenance and other buildings," states Levere. Both funding sources have declined over recent years.
As a result, airports across the country are considering how best to use vacated facilities. Some airports are considering demolition of unused terminals, such as at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Others are looking to find new revenue streams. At Pittsburgh International Airport, staff are taking on maintenance services for the totality of the airport. At Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, two terminals are looking to be renovated into office space or revenue-generating parking space.
Cargo shipping by air also seems to be a bright spot, as Levere reports, "DHL, the global shipping company, has made Cincinnati its North American hub. Since 2009, DHL has invested $105 million on its operation there...DHL now generates 40 percent of the airport's landing fee revenues."
According to Levere, "As airlines continue to consolidate and cut back on their use of smaller, regional jets, more airports will be in the same difficult position - looking for new uses for unoccupied terminals, hangars and other specialized buildings. "
FULL STORY: As They Lose Traffic, Once Bustling Airports Have Space to Rent
Topics Planners Don't Often Think About, But Should
There are a number of areas of planning that offer planners a role, but are not necessarily at the front of our minds. At the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Conference, researchers shared results that can impact practice.
Old Airport to Become Large Urban Campground
An old disused airport in Brooklyn will be converted into an urban campground, expanding from its current 5 campsites to more than 600.
Ten Most Terrifying Airports in The World
The Web Urbanist counts down the ten most hair raising airports. "Flying may be one of the safest methods of travel but it doesn't always look that way."
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.
Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.
Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland