With the economy still growing and communities needing more access to more markets, general aviation is growing in importance for our airports.
Despite the challenges the industry has overall with aging workforce, aging infrastructure and aging pilots, general aviation is still a critical piece of our industry playing an underappreciated role in the overall system.
In this month’s cover story, we look at some of the success stories on how some airports have evolved since the Great Recession and are now seeing unprecedented growth. Places like Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport are booming due to sustained growth. Now a second FBO is slated to open on the field, a sorely needed update that will keep things chugging along.
Meanwhile places like Clarksville Regional Airport outside of Nashville are seizing the moment and taking their shot at building themselves up as a business hub. Thanks to savvy leadership building a vision to meet the realities of the community around the airport, the airport has a strong chance at making this vision come true.
Challenges aren’t going to disappear. The workforce issue isn’t going to be solved overnight and the pilot shortage issue is complex and challenging. And the idea of privatized air traffic control still persists, with Texas Senator Ted Cruz now taking up the mantle.
But general aviation airports and FBOs can take action now to build their future through vision, technology and gumption. Outside forces and the changing market will no doubt reshape how general aviation operates in this country.
It’s exciting and a little frightening to take on all the change coming to the industry, but making a commitment to evolve now can make sure your airport thrives in the next generation of general aviation.
