Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT)
The Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT) is AAAE’s innovation program, bringing airports and industry partners together to address shared challenges and explore opportunities presented by emerging technologies.
Through collaborative workstreams, ACT turns airport experience and industry expertise into practical resources, pilot programs, and solutions that can benefit the broader airport community. Each workstream is built around four foundational elements designed to support meaningful collaboration and measurable outcomes.
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Chad Makovsky, A.A.E., IACE, Aviation Director for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, and Chris McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, facilitate the ACT CEO Steering Group meeting in conjunction with AAAE’s 97th Annual Conference & Exposition.
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Mukesh Patel, C.M., Director of Aviation at San Jose Mineta International Airport, and Harry Barrett, A.A.E., Assistant Director of Airports at the Sacramento County Departments of Airports, joined their industry peers for a discussion on the innovation challenges facing their airports.
Airport directors from across the country convened in Atlanta to discuss innovation priorities and help guide the future direction of the ACT program. Pictured left to right: Chad Makovsky, A.A.E., IACE; Chris McLaughlin; John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports; Jesús Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System; and Phillip Washington, former Chief Executive Officer, Denver International Airport.
Atif Saeed, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, San Diego International Airport and Chad Newton, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, Wayne County Airport Authority, participate in the annual in-person ACT CEO Steering Group meeting.
Jessica Dunn, Global Technology Officer at EY, addresses the audience on technology, innovation, and collaboration.
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Airport Innovation Resources
Explore a growing collection of industry-driven resources developed through collaboration among ACT member airports and industry partners. From emerging technologies and innovative operational practices to evolving organizational concepts, these guidebooks, reports, case studies, and tools address shared airport challenges, highlight real-world applications, and provide practical insights to help airports navigate innovation and prepare for the future.
Measuring the Success of Workforce Development Programs at Small, Non-Hub & GA Airports.
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Modernizing Infrastructure Through a Utility-Inspired Lens
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Airport Electrification
Airports as Emerging Energy Stewards helps airports prepare for rising electrical demand by taking a more strategic approach to energy planning, infrastructure, utility coordination, and system resilience. ACT is continuing to expand the resource through additional airport contributions.
Advanced Air Mobility
The Airport Master Planning Guidebook provides practical guidance on incorporating electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations into long-term airport planning and infrastructure development. ACT is continuing to expand the resource by inviting airports to share how they are preparing for AAM and eVTOL operations locally.
Airport Digitization
We are developing a national benchmarking maturity assessment tool that enables airports to evaluate and compare their digital readiness across key operational and customer experience focus areas. The assessment will help airports identify strengths, benchmark against industry peers, and prioritize opportunities for digital transformation.
Airside Training
We are developing an industry report assessing airport driver training practices, identifying shared challenges, and providing recommendations for how airports can leverage technology and advance greater standardization across the industry.
Artificial Intelligence
ACT Insights is an AI-enabled research tool that gives airports access to a centralized repository of public procurement documents, allowing users to research how other airports have approached projects, compare procurement practices, and develop scopes of work more efficiently. We are currently looking for airports to contribute publicly available documentation, gain access to the tool, run prompts, and provide AAAE with feedback as we continue its development.-1.jpg?width=118&height=104&name=PA-Logo-Colour-RGB%20(1)-1.jpg){kind=logo}
Cyber Preparedness & Monitoring
We are developing a framework for conducting a lightweight cybersecurity assessment of wired and wireless connections within the airport environment, helping airports identify vulnerabilities, strengthen risk management practices, and better prepare for potential cybersecurity incidents.
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Smart Landside
We are developing Phase I of a Smart Landside Playbook to help airports modernize landside access and curbside operations through smart technologies, with a focus on alleviating congestion and improving traffic flow. .png?width=155&height=36&name=Automotus%20Blue%20Logo%20-%20Transparent%20(1).png){kind=small}
Workforce Development
Our Workforce Development Guidebook features metrics, assessment tools, and practical guidance to help small, non-hub, and general aviation airports strengthen and evaluate their workforce development programs. Phase II will expand the initiative to medium- and large-hub airports.
