Visual Assignment 1: Airport Management Structure and Operations
This assignment places you in the position of Assistant to the Airport Director. The director has tasked you and a colleague with preparing for participation in a community television network show about the operation and management of the airport (Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport). The director wants each of you to prepare a 3 page essay explaining the airport’s management structure and how the airport is operated. Your essay should cover all aspects of operations.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport: Management Structure and Operations
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport: Management Structure and Operations
Effective management and leadership are prerequisites to control airport operations. According to Airport-Data (2022), the United States hosts 50% of the total World’s airport, thus, it regulates the global commercial activities and aviation industry. Since airport operations comprise regulations, workers, users, and systems, competent management strategies and structures are essential to actualizing administrative objectives. Just like municipalities, airport management efficiency influences customers’ preferences, for instance, cargo and travel experiences. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), established in 1946, promotes access to businesses, recreational amenities, and entertainment joints not only in Virginia but also in other regions (Newport News, 2022). As a result, the facility influences the state’s and country’s economy through the transportation of people and goods. Even though PHF has encountered challenges since the declaration of deregulation in 1978, the facility has a competent management structure and efficient operations strategy that support its growth and development.
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is located in Newport News, VA. The airport is owned and managed by the Peninsula Airport Commission (AirNav, 2022). PHF accelerates interstate transportation as it links Virginia to Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Atlanta through carriers including American and Delta airlines. It has two runways, the first one measures 2,439m by 46m, while the second is 1,089 by 46m (AirNav, 2022). The prominent amenities accessed via PHF include the Premium Outlets, Kingsmill Resort, Busch Gardens, and the beach (Newport News, 2022). The Transportation Security Administration protocols control PHF operations as the management protects passengers and employees from infectious diseases such as COVID 19. For this reason, the management disseminates containment protocols to customers and employees. Even though Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport offers pocket-friendly services, its rivals including Norfolk and Richmond international airport strive to capture the existing market. As a result, the management focuses on operational efficiency to maintain a competitive edge.
Peninsula Airport Commission guides the management structure to control PHF operations. The airport manager position, currently held by Michael Giardino, heads the administrative hierarchy (AirNav, 2022). The assistant airport director comes second in the chain of command. Managers in charge of respective departments including operations, safety, maintenance, finance, human resource, and corporate affairs fall in the third level of the administrative protocol. In addition, the ground crew and flight crew are in the fourth and fifth positions respectively in the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport administrative structure (AirNav, 2022). The administrative personnel interacts with customers and other stakeholders through its official website and social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Atlantic Aviation handles ground cargo services and supplies while Shell Aviation supplies PHF with oil and fuel (Newport News, 2022). Therefore, airport services segmentation enhances the efficiency of the overall operations.
PHF provides 24/7 flight operations services from Sunday to Sunday. The management activities are categorized into four groupings. Landside operations are the first sub-division and it comprises activities involving properties, roadways, concourses, terminals, and customer service in the airport (Airport-Data, 2022). The department personnel interacts with customers, thus, influencing the airport’s operations efficiency and customer relations. Firstly, the division avails foods and beverages to customers based on their preferences. Secondly, relaxation services are also offered at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. The state-of-the-art facilities present include toiletries, special event space, lounge, children’s play area, and indoor-games arena (Newport News, 2022). Moreover, landside activities also encompass gaming, connectivity, and multimedia services. For example, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and quality music in designated areas. Besides, the airport provides reliable customer-support services and special gifts to loyal and potential customers, for instance, transportation information, luggage storage, and carts. Overall, landside operations influence customer experience and day-to-day operations efficiency.
The second segment of Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport encompasses airside operations. The subdivision’s personnel oversee security, safety, ramps, and airfield tasks at the PHF (Newport News, 2022). The main objective of airside activities is to ensure that aircraft, vehicles, and airport users are safe. For this reason, the team conducts day-to-day wildlife management to eradicate bird interference and regulate the facility’s environment. Airside operations also include security and policing services offered to vehicle escorts and planes (Airport-Data, 2022). Besides, the department also conducts taxiways and runway inspections. In addition, the sub-division responds to emergencies, accidents, and incidents at the airport. Invoicing and billing is the third element of PHF operations (Newport News, 2022). Employees in this department handle the accounting systems for non-aeronautical and aeronautical finances. The personnel processes staff payrolls, sales, cash, invoices, and flight bills. Information management involving the collection and dissemination of flight updates is the last segment. The sub-division ensures timeliness as it provides information about flight departures and arrivals.
Overall, Newport News /Williamsburg International Airport strives to achieve operational excellence. The facility offers not only passenger services but also cargo transport. It links Virginia to the regional and international markets, thus, it promotes commerce and tourism. Peninsula Airport Commission controls PHF operations through the leadership team headed by the airport manager. The executive team harmonizes the four operations segments including information management, invoicing and billing, airside, and landside operations to ensure customers enjoy reliable and affordable services. Since management loopholes are inevitable, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport management should embrace a customer-centric service delivery approach to enhance operations.
References
AirNav. (2022). Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport. http://www.airnav.com/airport/kphf
Airport-Data. (2022). Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) Information. https://www.airport-data.com/airport/PHF/#operation
Newport News. (2022). About Us. https://newportnewsairport.com/our-airport/