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Balancing Access and Operational Concerns in Accommodating Passengers with Disabilities
Airports and airlines work to maintain operational efficiency and provide a pleasant travel experience while complying with their respective legal obligations relating to passengers with disabilities. In the U.S., airports must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act while airlines must adhere to the Air Carrier Access Act. Recent increases in the number and types of emotional service animals in airports and on planes have caused problems, with some passengers falsely claiming their pets are service animals to avoid paying airline fees. In Canada, airports and airlines have largely voluntary measures to assist passengers with disabilities, but the federal government is moving to tighten legislative and regulatory requirements. Join us for a discussion of the challenges facing airports, airlines and an important, growing segment of air travelers. 

Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Cyberwar
Airports have enhanced their physical security to deter and prevent terrorist attacks. Airports have also strengthened their information technology systems to fend off growing cyberattacks. As airport technology becomes increasingly interconnected with passengers, airlines and concessions to improve the travel experience, there is increased vulnerability that a cyber espionage attack could damage critical systems used to support infrastructure and physical security. Join us for a discussion on recognizing potential threats and better integrating physical and cyber security.

The Long and Winding Last Mile: Improving Airport Ground Access
Even small airports can generate millions of vehicle trips per year. Private vehicles that drop-off and pick-up passengers, public transportation vehicles, for hire vehicles, delivery & services vehicles, employees, large trucks serving cargo facilities & integrators…the list goes on. These trips impact roads and transit systems between homes, offices, hotels and other originating or destination points in the airport catchment area. The closer to the airport, the higher the concentration of airport-related vehicles on the surface transportation system. More and more often the volume of traffic on roadways serving the airport is becoming greater than the capacity of the system. Come hear how three airports are working to unwind the last mile/kilometer by improving access and reducing the stress of getting to the plane on time.

Rethinking the Customer Experience
From multi-million dollar capital improvement programs to implementing the latest in technology to revamped training programs to partnerships with airlines and federal agencies, North American airports have recognized that providing a high-quality customer experience is a business imperative. Some use public-private partnerships to renovate facilities or implement innovative initiatives to improve the travel experience. But how do you decide what enhancements to make over the short and long term to translate passenger happiness into an improved bottom line? 

Incorporating a Culture of Innovation
Adjusting to and planning for the ever-changing airport environment is increasingly difficult. To move beyond innovation as a mere buzzword to tap its transformative potential, organizations need to understand that it’s more than just technology; it’s a process centered on people that requires a culture shift and executive level commitment. How can we foster the involvement of leaders, employees and the local community to spur innovation? Don’t miss this important discussion about how airports, airlines and concessionaires are incorporating innovation to effectively respond to trends affecting operations and revenues.

Commercial Space – The Next Frontier for Airports
Commercial space operations are a critical priority for the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation and bipartisan supporters in Congress. In 2017, a record 23 launches were licensed by FAA, but in just a few years this is forecast to more than double. Many of these new generation spacecraft are reusable, increasing demand even more than the forecasts suggest. Already, several U.S. airports have had to address potential conflicts between traditional aircraft operations and “space launches”, whether by vertically launched rockets, horizontally-launched rocket planes, or suborbital balloons. In this rapidly evolving “space," how will airports, space operators, and the FAA effectively balance the interests of commercial aviation and commercial space in the National Airspace System?