Posted: September 8th, 2016

Sustainable Airport Operations

Project Outline
(brief outline with breakdown of individual tasks for group projects)
Sustainable Airport Operations
Key Issue: Capacity imbalance vs. Growth
• The central forecast is for passenger numbers at UK airports to increase from 219 million passengers in 2011 to 315 million in 2030 and 445 million by 2050.
• This level of growth is not unique to UK
• Existing studies focus on aviation wide issues and technological solutions, airports as a unit of analysis are uncommon and under-studied.
Significant need to understand and manage impact
• Issues
• Multiple stakeholders…..
• Airport growth is an emotive issue
• Political dimensions e.g. Ongoing Heathrow debate
• Legacy technology and infrastructure constraints
• Security is paramount.
Study Synopsis
Aim In this study you will complete an analysis of corporate social responsibility(CSR) reports published by airports and examine the factors influencing the level and scope of reporting.
Student should assess to what extent various economic, social and environmental categories are covered in the CSR reports, identify relevant national or trans-national policies, and explore the use of any reporting frameworks or acknowledged best practice benchmarks.
Approach
The study requires a comprehensive literature review on CSR policies and practices in relation to aviation and in particular airports. Data will be collected through a content analysis (other approaches possible) of corporate web sites, company reports and CSR reports i.e. publically available data. Sample frame should be global, and with controls to ensure airport comparisons are possible within the frame as well looking at the sample as a whole.