ACC Survey Identifies Initial Impacts from COVID-19 on Airport Development Projects

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) announced initial results of an association-wide survey of the immediate impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on capital development projects that are active or planned at airports throughout the United States. The findings reveal that varying levels of impacts are being reported across the country, and indicate that the true magnitude on capital development projects has yet to be seen.

• Over 90% of companies have experienced delays or cancellations of projects, with 21% of companies experiencing major delays.
• 72% of companies report reductions in project advertisements, with 18% reporting significant reductions.
• 29% of member companies anticipate major challenges with ongoing projects occurring in the near future. Only 5% anticipate no challenges.

“This survey confirms the immediate impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on aviation and a multitude of airport development programs underway or planned across the country,” said T.J. Schulz, President of the Airport Consultants Council. “With this survey, ACC intends to establish an initial baseline of effects reported during the first months of the pandemic within the US, along with trends that emerge in the months to come.” 

Over 80 ACC member companies responded to this initial survey. The major findings in the first month include:

 Impacts on capital development projects depend on what phase they are in

• Many construction projects that were underway are continuing
• Some projects are being accelerated at airports due to the significant reduction of travelers and operations
• Many already-designed projects have been delayed for construction, but not yet canceled
• New planning and design projects are being put on hold
• Airlines have severely curtailed a number of their projects at airports

Airport staffing challenges are impacting projects in a variety of ways

• Depending on location, certain airport staff have been sent home
• Many airport staff responsible for projects that are still working have been reassigned to other responsibilities
• Meetings that were once held in person are occurring virtually, such as project related meetings, project kick off meetings, and interviews

The need for social distancing is impacting projects

• Site visits to projects have been interrupted, with some needing appointments
• Surveying and field test activities have been impacted
• More cleaning and disinfecting activities are reported on projects

These insights and themes are especially timely. With the U.S. economy taking a massive hit during this pandemic, employers, and especially small businesses, are needing to be creative with the loss of income and shifts in workforce to assign to projects. Aviation is an important part of the US economy. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. civil aviation has in the past supported more than 5% of U.S. gross domestic product; $1.6 trillion in economic activity; and nearly 11 million jobs.

 “We will continue to assess the situation through additional follow up inquiries with our member companies on future impacts to airport projects and effects on their company operations and staffing,” said TJ Schulz. “Our goal is to provide our members insights to enable them to stay ahead of the curve on the impacts we see occurring in the airport industry, so they can proactively shift their attention and efforts to the future needs of aviation system.”