WSP has developed airport master plans for some of the world’s most iconic airports. An effective master plan is critical to ensure that an airport can meet the demands of future air transportation needs and technological advancement, in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner; providing a clear roadmap for the future development and growth of an airport.
Airports, from the smallest to the largest, trust WSP to deliver buildable master plans that provide a strategic direction for the development and expansion of an airport, ensuring that future investments and are aligned with their traffic forecast and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) as well as the commercial goals of an airport.
Supporting Airports Across the Globe
WSP is experienced in developing comprehensive long-term plans for the development and expansion of existing airports and new greenfield developments. Our experience ranges from single runway to multiple runway operations, and small general aviation (GA) facilities to international gateways.
WSP has long term partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic airports who return to us for each update to their master plan, which is testament to the high quality and to exceptional standards of our airport master plans. It is important to us to build long-term relationships with our clients and business partners.
A Comprehensive Planning Process
Throughout the development of a master plan, WSP consults and coordinates with various stakeholders, including the airport operator, airlines, regulatory agencies, and local communities to ensure that their inputs are considered, and where appropriate, are incorporated into the planning process so that the final master plan balances the requirements of the client with the needs and concerns of the other stakeholders.
Assessment of Needs
We can assess the suitability and capacity of existing facilities and infrastructure to identify and deficiencies or limitations that need to be addressed in the master plan. We can also assess the airport’s airfield operations or passenger terminals to identify bottlenecks and pinch-points that may constrain the airport’s future growth.
Traffic Forecasting
Our traffic forecasting experts can devise a forecast of future aviation demand, including passenger and cargo traffic, aircraft movements, peak-period demand, and other key factors that will influence future growth and development of the airport.
Conceptual Planning to Detailed Design and Implementation
Based on the traffic forecasts and needs assessment, our airport master planning experts can develop a range of conceptual options for the future development of the airport, including options for expanding terminal facilities, runways, taxiways, and other airside and landside infrastructure. Our experts can produce high-level concept designs through to detailed designs that consider development phasing, capital and operating cost, conflicts with existing operations and risk management.
We work with our clients to evaluate the suitability of concepts against a range of criteria tailored to their requirements, which generally include safety, efficiency, operational disruption during implementation, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness.
