Navigating the Complexities of Airside Construction: Why Expertise and Collaboration Are Essential for Success
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
This white paper explores the differences between commercial and airside construction projects and how to work effectively with the various agencies involved, while minimizing disruptions to passengers and existing airport services. It also outlines the necessary general contractor skills, qualities, and experience essential for a successful project delivered on schedule.
Key Takeaways
Due to the number of agencies and approvals required, Airside construction is inherently more complex than traditional commercial construction projects.
The demand for airside services continues to grow as air travel has rebounded from the 2020 pandemic shutdown.
How future flexibility and sustainability have impacted the design and building of airside projects.
Leveraging PREMIER’s design and build expertise to deliver airside projects on schedule and within budget.
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The airside construction industry builds and maintains airport surfaces and infrastructure (runways, taxiways, aprons, hangars) while managing the extreme complexity of keeping active airports operational and safe, requiring specialized expertise in aviation regulations (like FAR Part 139), phased construction, and coordination with airlines to minimize disruption. It involves specialized design, engineering (pavement, stormwater, utilities), and construction services, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and durability for aircraft movement. The typical scope for airside projects can include.
Hangars
Terminals
Maintenance and repair facilities
Fuel storage and delivery systems
Luggage inspection and handling
Firefighting systems and equipment
Runways
Taxiways
Passenger amenities such as dining, retail, and entertainment services
The biggest challenge for construction firms is modernizing existing infrastructure to meet changing air traffic and space requirements. As a result, airside projects require heightened safety, security, and operational precision due to their proximity to travelers and active aircraft operations.
Airside Construction
While all commercial construction projects must meet the current building codes, which include:
International Building Code (IBC) - https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2024V2.0
National Electrical Code (NEC) - https://www.necanet.org/topics/codesandstandards/the-nec
International Plumbing Code (IPC) - https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2021P3
International Mechanical Code (IMC) - https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IMC2024V2.0
Airside projects funded by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) must also meet the following regulatory standards.
FAR Part 139 - This FAA regulation requires airports serving specific flights with over 30 seats to obtain an Airport Operating Certificate (AOC) to ensure compliance with safety standards for operations, firefighting, runway maintenance, and wildlife management, through a series of procedures, inspections, and documentation. The standards outlined by Part 139 establish a safety baseline to protect travelers and airport employees, while non-compliance can result in significant penalties for the airline or the owner agency.
Construction Safety Phasing Plans (CSPs) are mandatory for all AIP projects and must detail construction zones, phasing, and operational impacts, as guided by FAA AC 150/5370-2G.
Advisory Circulars (ACs): Provide acceptable methods for compliance, covering design (150/5300-13B), pavement (150/5320-6G), lighting, marking, and operational safety (150/5370-2G).
Safety Management Systems (SMS) outline the required framework for managing safety risks, including structured risk management (SRM) processes.
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) programs are critical for removing water, ice, snow, and other debris from taxiways and runways.
Passenger Security and Screening requirements that meet TSA regulations (49 CFR Part 1542) and ICAO Annex 17.
Airside Project Planning
Early coordination with airport operators, airline managers, TSA, and local agencies is essential for identifying future access needs and potential project constraints. This allows the design and build teams to pinpoint critical operational areas to establish detailed work zones, haul routes, and schedules that minimize disruptions for travelers.
Planning teams should incorporate Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create and manage digital 3D models before finalizing construction plans and documents. BIM software combines structural, MEP, material & labor costs into a single source that can help identify potential clearance and access issues. A clear project visualization can improve stakeholder understanding while streamlining workflows, reducing rework, potential delays, and higher construction costs.
The final step in the planning process is to address access control for construction workers, airport workers, and inspectors, while allowing timely deliveries of equipment and materials within secure zones. Airside access control solutions can utilize layered security protocols that combine different technologies such as biometrics (facial recognition, fingerprints), digital IDs/mobile credentials, and RFID with physical barriers like mantraps, high-security doors, and crash-rated gates to provide fast, secure authentication.
These options can be used with CCTV, AI-based analytics, and intruder detection systems to enable real-time monitoring and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient access to critical airport areas.
Airside Operations Management
Because airports are always active, airside construction cannot impact runway or taxiway operations at any time. As a result, most construction is either phased or carried out during tight overnight schedules to maintain full operational capacity. Both options require a constant dialogue between airport operations, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders through regular meetings or digital platforms.
Tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can assemble and integrate real-time data for aircraft, vehicles, gates, and construction zones to improve awareness and safety. The GIS data can be merged with project management platforms to maintain operational efficiency, while alerting stakeholders and building teams to potential scheduling issues before they disrupt traveler services or schedules.
For more details regarding operational management:
The Airports Council International (ACI) provides a handbook with best practices for managing operations during construction.
ACRP WebResource 13 is an extensive online library from the Transportation Research Board (TRB) for airside-related resources.
Airside Site Management
Airside site management involves overseeing complex projects with hyperfocus on safety to minimize disruptions while ensuring strict regulatory compliance. Daily management activities typically include:
Scheduling workers and materials within permissible timeframes
Access control for secure areas and the construction zone
Enforcing equipment restrictions such as height, emissions, and lighting
Ongoing risk management assessments as work is completed
Quality Assurance/Control checks to meet demanding aviation-grade standards
Regulatory compliance & documentation for the FAA, TSA, and local agencies
Handling scope changes with minimal schedule or operational impact
Seamless communication among all involved parties
Airside Environmental Considerations
Lastly, an airside general contractor must address several environmental considerations created by long-term operations and new construction or renovation projects.
Planes, construction equipment, and associated vehicles are significant sources of air pollutants, including dust, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Standard control methods include using dust suppression measures (e.g., water trucks), using cleaner or electric construction equipment, and minimizing vehicle idling.
Construction noise can disrupt airport operations and affect nearby communities and wildlife. This is managed through noise monitoring systems, scheduling noisy work during off-peak hours, and using quieter (electric) construction technology. Modular construction assemblies, such as walls and roof sections, can dramatically limit on-site noise levels.
Some soil erosion and contaminated stormwater are not uncommon on construction projects. However, eroding soil adds sediment to any stormwater runoff, while petroleum products and de-icing chemicals can harm local waterways and wildlife. Best Management Practices (BMPs) can include stormwater detention basins to store water for treatment and silt fences to consolidate accumulated sediment for easy removal. Permeable pavements are another option for treating on-site runoff or transferring it to local municipal systems.
Both the airside and construction industries generate significant waste, and handling hazardous materials such as fuels, chemicals, and adhesives is commonplace. Recycling programs and waste reduction policies can reduce landfill levels. For liquids and chemicals, secured storage areas, combined with a comprehensive spill-prevention and emergency-response plan, are essential.
Sustainability is no longer just another construction industry buzzword. Thanks to green building codes and evolving ESG goals, airside construction can improve LEED scores by developing targeted strategies to reduce waste while conserving water and other natural resources. Incorporating renewable energy sources can reduce operational costs while improving passenger health, comfort, and convenience.
Landside Comparison/Airport Adjacent Construction
The significant difference is that airside includes the airport and its services, while landside projects include logistics, industrial, and commercial development on adjacent properties. Due to their proximity to the airport, they are subject to the same restrictions and requirements outlined above.
The HUB @ ONT is a recent airport adjacent project that became LEED Gold Certified. By working directly with the adjoining airport to ensure compliance, this facility supports smooth airport logistics, regional connectivity, and a reduced carbon footprint, thereby reducing operational and maintenance costs across the 4 million-square-foot facility’s lifespan.
The Future of Airside Development
According to a recent Business Wire report1, “The growth in the airport construction market is driven by several key factors, including rising air travel demand, government investments in infrastructure, and advancements in sustainable and smart airport technology. Rising air travel demand is a primary driver, as global passenger numbers increase, fueled by economic growth, expanding middle-class populations, and a recovering tourism industry. To accommodate this demand, airports worldwide are investing in new terminals, additional runways, and upgraded facilities that reduce congestion and improve passenger flow.” In short, the airside construction industry will grow by $1.5 trillion by 2030, translating into a 14.2% CAGR over the next five years.
The Airports International Council2 announced that the airside industry supports 12.8 million jobs and generates $1.8 trillion in economic output in 2024. Their report also states that necessary infrastructure projects have increased by 15.1% over the past two years.
Lastly, Market Research3 identified the following airside trends changing the industry landscape. “Technological advancements in automation, smart infrastructure, and green construction are transforming the airport construction market, enabling airports to operate more efficiently, enhance security, and deliver a superior passenger experience. Automation technologies, such as self-service kiosks, automated baggage handling systems, and biometric screening, are becoming standard features in modern airports. These technologies help reduce wait times, improve operational flow, and streamline passenger processing, particularly in high-traffic areas such as check-in and security. Automated systems also reduce labor costs, enhance security, and increase throughput, making them valuable for airports that aim to accommodate rising passenger numbers while maintaining high service standards.
Smart infrastructure and components are improving the functionality of new and expanding airport facilities. IoT-enabled sensors enable airports to monitor variables ranging from energy usage to crowd density, optimizing operations and resource allocation. Real-time data analytics enable airport operators to adjust air conditioning, lighting, and traffic flow in response to actual demand, creating a more comfortable and efficient environment. Smart airport infrastructure also supports security and operational efficiency by providing insights into passenger behavior and airport logistics, allowing for proactive management. By integrating these advanced systems, the airport construction market is meeting the demands of a tech-savvy population that expects seamless, digital-driven experiences.”
Clearly, the complexity of airside construction requires a highly skilled general contractor like PREMIER Design + Build, with the expertise, adaptability, and national reach to align with evolving aviation infrastructure needs.
PREMIER’s Experience in Airside Construction
The PREMIER team’s airside experience includes the leadership and technical expertise required for aviation facility construction management, such as detailed coordination with airport authorities, a dedicated team of safety professionals and instructors, and a comprehensive knowledge of airport security measures. With regional offices across the U.S. and a network of suppliers, logistic specialists, subcontractors, and specialty services, PREMIER has the experience and resources needed to deliver a complex and demanding, but successful airside project.
Beyond PREMIER’s airside construction knowledge and experience, our extensive portfolio of airside adjacent projects reflects the same coordination, compliance, and operational discipline required in active aviation environments. These projects are executed within established safety-critical zones around active airports, where construction and operations follow the same protocols and regulatory requirements that govern airside work. In addition to the HUB @ Ontario referenced above, recent projects in direct proximity to airports include:
Rickenbacker Logistics Campus Phase I, Ashville, Ohio
Rickenbacker Logistics Campus Phase II, Ashville, Ohio
Echo @ P132 Industrial Park, Surprise, Arizona
Airside construction presents a unique set of challenges that most general contractors simply don’t have the expertise or resources needed for the level of complexity and compliance required for a successful project. With over 20 years of diverse building experience, PREMIER has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional quality and reliable customer service and support.