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13 Keynote Address Airport Economic Challenges and Innovative Development Stephen Van Beek, Steer Davies Gleave, presenter Stephen Van Beek delivered a presentation titled âThe Erosion of "Public" Airports.â He noted that whereas in the past the focus was on airfields, current capacity issues were associated with the strain occurring on the terminal and landside. Van Beek stated that there was a lack of policy on funding and availability of funding for terminal and landside improvements. As a result, airports were starting to look at private equity and publicâprivate partnerships. He noted that the primary value of an airport to a community was its socioeconomic benefits (jobs, payroll, and regional economic contribution). Van Beek noted that the 30 largest airports in the United States accommodated 72% of the activity. Enplanements were up 15.5% between 1999 and 2017, but aircraft operations were up only 4.1%, reflecting a large increase in load factors. This increase in passengers was straining the terminal and landside. TNCs have had a large effect on parking at airports and the revenue available to the airport operator. Angie Fyfe noted that Moodyâs was expected to add climate change to its bond-rating system. There was a discussion about the passenger facility charge system and airline opposition to increasing it. Van Beek indicated that he did not believe that there would be an increase in the passenger facility charge and that airports needed to find alternative funding mechanisms, such as publicâprivate partnerships.
