Managing environmental capacity constraints at airports: An approach developed by the US Air Force

Identifying and managing environmental impacts are increasingly important elements of airport capacity planning. Local air quality, ambient noise levels and water quality are some of the most prominent impacts of concern. Similar issues at US Air Force installations threaten to constrain operations and challenge future mission requirements. Like airports, these issues are complicated by encroaching development near installation boundaries. In response, the US Air Force has developed a comprehensive approach to identify and manage potential environmental constraints to its mission. This approach can also be used for airport capacity planning and includes the following characteristics: a pragmatic focus on mission and future capacity needs; a detailed assessment of all potential environmental capacity constraints; characterising environmental issues as assets with value to the organisation; a portfolio approach to managing environmental resources and constraints; processes based on an existing ISO 14001 Environmental Management System framework that can be integrated into existing planning processes; and standardised capacity ratings. This holistic approach works to identify constraints associated with all operations critical to the function of the airport.