Advancing Sustainability and Resilience of Airports through Deployment of New Technologies in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Airports Council International and the global air transport industry set a net-zero carbon goal for airports by 2050, presenting an opportunity for innovation and creating a sustainable path to recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, there is a lack of information on how US airports perceive sustainability and resilience post-COVID-19. This paper aims to overcome these limitations by investigating the sustainability and resilience management practices in airports while also exploring the potential for leveraging emerging technologies and other solutions. Data collected through interviews with consultants and solution providers and a nationwide survey encompassing 74 geographically diverse airports were categorized by airport size. Statistical analyses were performed to examine the relationship between airport size and technology adoption. The findings of this paper underscore disparities among airports of varying sizes, emphasizing a notable relation between airport size and the adoption of crowd management solutions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. The study provides important categorical insights into (1) the status of sustainability and resilience management practices; (2) key performance indicators used in monitoring sustainability and resilience grouped under five categories (water conservation, polyfluoroalkyl substances/perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, indoor air quality, energy, and biodiversity and wildlife); (3) airport user recommendations; and (4) drivers and barriers to adopting new technologies. Despite the progress achieved by a few airports, the study reveals that most airports do not possess a formulated strategy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. While most airports introduced COVID-19 mitigation solutions, a substantial number of them lack tangible measures to enhance pandemic resilience, and the majority exhibit constrained technological readiness for future disruptions. A comprehensive set of recommendations is provided to aid the aviation sector in preparing for future pandemics, offering insights for operators to navigate challenges and for policymakers to formulate effective policies and grants. This study holds significant potential for developing practical applications within the aviation industry, specifically by guiding airports in attaining the long-term net zero carbon goal and supporting their adoption of pandemic resilience solutions. The research emphasizes the unique opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for airports to innovate and redefine sustainable recovery paths. By addressing the information gaps on how US airports perceive sustainability and resilience post-COVID-19, the study provides valuable insights into necessary changes to overcome emerging challenges. The findings underscore certain disparities among airports categorized by size through statistical analyses, offering insights into sustainability and resilience management practices, key performance indicators used in monitoring sustainability and resilience, drivers/barriers to adopting new technologies, and recommendations on adopted technologies. Despite the progress made by some airports, the study reveals a lack of overarching strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for tangible measures to enhance pandemic resilience. The paper concludes with a comprehensive set of recommendations to assist airports in preparing for future pandemics. These recommendations are also expected to benefit airport operators and provide insights for policymakers to formulate effective policies, fostering a resilient and sustainable aviation industry.