Centreline

Meanwhile a number of local authorities are actively promoting the idea of wayports. Indeed, the notion now has such credibility that Frederik Sorensen, Head of the European Community Air Transport Commission, has publicly supported this ‘untraditional’ way of solving congestion. Sir Colin Marshall, Chief Executive of British Airways, also supports the wayport concept pointing out that US traffic has risen by more than 65% while the number of airports has remained unchanged. This is evidenced by the fact that 21of the 35 existing hubs formed as a direct result of deregulation currently experience in excess of 20,000 hours delay annually, and this number is forecast by the FAA to increase to over 40 airports with serious delays by 1997.

It has now been estimated that a group of these wayports, using commonly developed architecture, could be built by 1995. This is feasible because wayports, designed for transfer traffic as opposed to O/D traffic,can be built at less than half the cost of a standard greenfield airport development. This low capital cost is attributable to low land acquisition costs in rural areas, the absence of sophisticated and expensive passenger handling facilities (check-in, car parks etc) and minimal legal costs which often form a major part of any new airport development. Initial indications are that a wayport could be built for less than $US1 billion – less than a third of a normal airport.

The advantages to the air transport system of wayports, such as reduced noise, low capital and operating costs and easing of congestion are however to some extent offset by disbenefits. These primarily accrue to the airlines who, having established extremely efficient scheduling networks through the complexing of flights through ‘fortress’ hubs, may face forced relocation to way ports. This effectively weakens market domination and reduces the airline capability to capture and retain traffic on their individual networks.

Established US carriers will no doubt strongly resist any moves to weaken their market influence, however,it appears that wayports may soon become a reality. Strong support exists within the industry from the Transportation Research Board, the airline pilots union and the Aircraft Owners Association. Prime candidates for taking pole position in the race to become a wayport are the cities of Midland and Odessa who strongly believe that Midland International airport would be a viable option for the FAAto consider. Preliminary plans show a development envisaging a wayport with up to eight 15,000ft runways and a terminal area providing in excess of 300 gates.

We will continue to monitor the progress of the wayport debate as it unfolds. Undoubtedly it has implications for the future of the airport industry, not only in the US but throughout the world. It is not unreasonable to suggest that the conventional airports of today may well cease to exist in their current form as demand upon the air transport system continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. The Asia/Pacific Region is not immune to this upward pressure on airport system capacity, history has clearly demonstrated that aviation trends in the US and Europe have eventually been repeated in this region.

Bold Developments at Essendon Airport

The Board of the Federal Airports Corporation was recently presented with a development plan for Essendon Airport which will transform this important general aviation facility.

The plan, originated and designed by Hans Schmidt and Partners, envisages a four stage development comprising a combined office and resort facility complete with corporate apartments, a nine hole golf course and associated infrastructure.

Subject to approval by the FAC, the project will be activated early in 1990 with the construction of two four level office blocks providing 11,400 square metres of lettable space and occupying 1. 5 hectares of ground close to the airport entrance from the Tullamarine Freeway. This first stage will not require any realignment of the roads and can be completed with minor disruption. Stage Two will follow with further office space being provided and the resort element will be included in Stages Three and Four – timescale to be decided. Construction cost of Stage One is estimated at $27m and the complete project at $230m.

This is a significant step towards the future viability of Essendon airport and one that recognises that General Aviation airports cannot survive on aeronautical revenue alone. The application of lateral thinking and the courage to undertake new initiatives in airport management by diversifying into other areas of potential in9ome, as currently demonstrated by the Essendon project, can only be of benefit to the industry. In the long run the attraction of major non-aviation-related activities to secondary airports should lead to reduced operating costs by cross-subsidising between airside and landside income thereby lessening the burden on aircraft operators and users. Full details of the project will be covered in the next issue of Australian aviation.

Worldwide Organisation for Airports

During the recent ICAA congress in Jerusalem, President Lim Hock San announced the integration of ICAA (International Civil Airports Association) and AOC! (Airport Operators Council Inc) into a single worldwide airport organisation. A Task Force will now research the means by which the amalgamation will take place, recommend a structure for the new organisation, develop a financial plan and detail the transition process. It is expected that the organisation will be based in Geneva which is the home of the ACC (AirportsAssociations Coordinating Council).

This makes eminent sense and has been a long time coming. For far too long the efforts of these two pre-eminent organisations, representinga substantial majority of the world’s airports, have been fragmented. The aims and objectives of ICAA and AOC! are essentially the same and the formation of an integrated organisation will not only substantially reduce duplication and cost but also improve the representation of airports in the international forum, for example, with ICAO and IATA.