"Global airport impact study"

Friday, October 20, 2006

Global airport impact study
By Steve Creedy
The Australian


BRISBANE - Airport and Queensland University of Technology have launched a
world-first international research project into the relationship between
airports and surrounding communities.

The $3.8 million study - which also involves the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, in the US and the Technical University of Delft in
the Netherlands - will look at the effect airports have on surrounding urban
areas, including the push to develop airport land for non-aviation uses. 

The researchers hope it will be used to develop airport policies in
Australia and overseas. 

Brisbane Airport chief executive Koen Rooijmans said the reinvention of
major gateway airports around the world had significant effects in terms of
employment and economic growth. 

Brisbane expects to grow from 11,000 workers to more than 40,000 over the
next two decades as it blends traditional aviation activities with other
uses such as hospitality, entertainment sport and retail. 

"Just as coastal and river ports and railway towns have driven urban growth
in previous centuries, the 21st century is emerging as the aviation era," Mr
Rooijmans said, noting Los Angeles Airport had $US61 billion ($81 billion)
of regional activity. 

"Airports are no longer simply places where people catch planes and cargo is
moved, and their impact on a region's economy is significant and
far-reaching. This research is about measuring and understanding that impact
and ensuring all Australian cities and regional centres are in a better
position to maximise the economic and job growth that their airports can
deliver." 

News of the study came as Sydney Airport yesterday announced that rising
revenues from retail, property development and commercial areas such as
parking had underpinned a 7.9 per cent rise in first-quarter earnings. 

Southern Cross Airport Holdings announced an unaudited consolidated profit
(before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) of $137 million, on a
6 per cent rise in revenues to $170.3 million, compared to last year's first
quarter. Operating expenses fell by 1.5 per cent to $24.5million after the
Government increased funding to counter terrorist first-response security
costs. Excluding recoverable security costs and one-offs, costs rose by 2.8
per cent to $24.5 million.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************