Why stakeholder engagement is essential in airport projects
Airports are constantly evolving to meet regulatory, environmental, operational, and commercial demands. Change is constant—and in aviation, most meaningful change is delivered through projects. That means airport stakeholder engagement is not optional; it’s critical to both day-to-day operations and long-term success.
Airport projects face unique challenges:
- Safety, security, and health compliance
- Environmental and ESG initiatives (e.g. Net Zero)
- Infrastructure upgrades to increase capacity
- New airlines, systems, and commercial services
- Customer experience and operational enhancements
- Emerging technologies such as SAF and eVTOL integration
In this dynamic environment, change management becomes a core leadership skill—and project success depends on stakeholders understanding how and when to engage.
Common challenges for airport project stakeholders
Stakeholders in airport environments are essential—but also face practical barriers to contributing fully:
- Lack formal project management training
- Are stretched thin with operational “firefighting” responsibilities
- Often don’t have time to engage meaningfully in new projects
- May lack confidence to ask project managers the right questions
- Might not know what “good” project delivery even looks like
“Sharpening the saw,” as Stephen R. Covey puts it, is essential—but often overlooked in high-pressure aviation settings.
Many stakeholders also don’t proactively seek training unless encouraged by senior leaders. Without structured learning or a clear framework, even well-intentioned stakeholders may hesitate to challenge assumptions, validate decisions, or contribute at key stages.
Since most change in airports is delivered through projects, stakeholder effectiveness is inseparable from successful change management. Often, simply knowing the right questions to ask the project team at the right time is what separates passive involvement from high-impact engagement.
Airport project stakeholders don’t need to know all the answers—but they do need to ask the right questions. Here are 10 essential ones every stakeholder should keep in mind:
Key competencies of effective airport project stakeholders
Whether you’re an airport operations lead, finance manager, or commercial stakeholder, your role in project delivery matters.
Here are seven ways stakeholders can bring value to airport projects:
1. Understand and support effective project governance
Know your role in escalation, approvals, risk mitigation, and key decision points.
2. Challenge and review the business case
Confirm that the project aligns with strategic priorities and delivers measurable benefits.
3. Leverage external expertise
Use consultants and external specialists wisely while ensuring ownership and accountability stay internal.
4. Prioritize function-first design
Ensure the design is grounded in a robust, operationally viable Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
5. Minimize operational impact
Engage early to plan works that limit disruption in the live environment.
6. Plan for operational readiness and go-live
Be involved in readiness assessments to ensure the airport is prepared for a seamless transition.
7. Evaluate success and capture lessons learned
Support post-implementation reviews to help future projects benefit from past experiences.
Takeaway: Great Stakeholders Ask Great Questions
Airport stakeholders don’t need to be project managers—but they do need to:
- Know when to engage
- Understand what questions to ask
- Represent their area’s needs and risks clearly and confidently
Often, simply knowing the right questions to ask at the right time is what separates passive stakeholders from high-impact contributors.
Further learning
If this topic resonates with you or your airport team, and you’d like to improve your skills in airport project stakeholder engagement, connect with Caelie Tweedie Smith ctweediesmith@aci.aero to learn more about ACI World’s training opportunities.
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