In the air transport industry, airports and airport performance are essential to maintaining good business. Airports are constantly busy with airplane traffic taking off and landing. It is the fastest way to travel long distances. It is also the gateway through which a large number of travelers must pass.
There are many concerns associated with air travel, and since the airport is often the common stopover for all travelers, you have to address a variety of these concerns. Issues such as security, efficient and prompt service, signage and proper facilities are integral to creating an ideal airport environment.
Thousands of people pass through the airport every day. It is the duty of an airport to provide the necessary amenities and services required by all travellers, staff and officials. The extent to which these services and products are well managed and satisfactory are indicators of the airport’s performance.
Air travel can become very frustrating very quickly when an airport lacks its services. To avoid a thousand difficult situations with customers, it is important that the performance of the airport is optimal. There will always be bumps in the road, but the extent to which a difficult situation is handled speaks to the performance of an airport and its staff.
A good airport must be able to provide adequate facilities to accommodate the maximum number of expected visitors. There must be sufficient seating, restrooms, refreshment concessions and other facilities that address the most basic needs of waiting passengers and internal staff.
There should always be a help desk ready to address passenger concerns. The service must be fast and competent. Queues must be well distributed and managed. Customer satisfaction is a great indicator of airport performance. Signs should always be clear and easy to read. Airport performance at its best should be able to make air travel comfortable with as little stress as possible.
Skillful scheduling and solution innovation are also key to maintaining peak airport performance. If any problem occurs, there should be a quick and proper solution to mitigate it as soon as it happens. Delays and technical difficulties are unavoidable, but can be managed properly.
To assess airport performance, you can use metric systems to track your efficiency and performance ratings. Having an existing balanced scorecard with key performance indicators also helps identify areas for improvement. Knowing exactly how well or poorly an airport is performing can prompt you to make improvements and adjustments.
Indicators of high airport performance are often seen in the efficiency of traffic management and emergency response. In efficiency, the rate of flights and landings on schedule, a low statistics of accidents on the runway and customer satisfaction are especially appreciated. Once an airport offers these basic services well, then it is a well-performing airport.
Regular evaluation of the airport’s performance keeps it performing at its best. The right assessment tools can help focus improvement and maintenance efforts, as well as provide guidance to achieve your ultimate goals. A good airport experience adds to the enjoyment of air travel for passengers and also to the survival of the air travel industry.