Passenger Facility Charges and Rates & Charges Workshops

8  - 9 a.m.

9 - 9:10 a.m.

Speakers:
Brian Drake, Unison Consulting, Inc.

9:10 - 10 a.m.

Kick off the workshop with a deep dive into the legal and regulatory foundation that governs how airports set and implement airline rates and charges. In this session, two seasoned aviation attorneys will break down the federal statutes, FAA policies, and key court decisions that shape the financial relationship between airports and airlines. Topics will include the FAA’s Rates and Charges Policy, grant assurances, revenue use restrictions, and legal considerations in developing compensatory, residual, and hybrid rate-setting methodologies. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the legal boundaries and strategic opportunities airports must navigate when establishing fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates.

Speaker:
Barry Molar, Unison Consulting, Inc.

10 - 11:15 a.m.

This foundational session will walk attendees through the key components that drive airline rates and charges at airports. Presenters will explain the critical inputs—such as operating and maintenance expenses, capital costs, debt service, and traffic activity—and how these figures are used to develop airfield, terminal, and other facility charges. The session will also cover the primary rate-setting methodologies: compensatory, residual, and hybrid models. Using real-world examples, speakers will compare the pros and cons of each approach and how they align with airport financial goals, airline relationships, and risk allocation.              

Speakers:
Brian Drake, Unison Consulting, Inc.

John Gillen, Unison Consulting, Inc.

Ty Bradford, Unison Consulting, Inc.

11:15 - 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Speakers:
John Gillen, Unison Consulting, Inc.

Ty Bradford, Unison Consulting, Inc.

12: - 1:15 p.m.

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

In this candid panel discussion, airport finance leaders will share real-world insights into how their chosen rate-setting methodologies—compensatory, residual, hybrid, or variations thereof—work in practice. Panelists will discuss why their airport adopted a particular approach, how it has impacted financial performance and airline relationships, and the trade-offs they've encountered along the way. From stability and flexibility to risk-sharing and transparency, this session offers a balanced look at the practical realities of different rate models.

Speakers:
TBD

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

 Get a direct look into the airline perspective in this roundtable discussion featuring representatives from a legacy carrier and an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). The panel will explore what airlines prioritize in airport lease agreements—from rate methodology and term length to flexibility, facility access, and capital planning transparency. Speakers will also share how they prefer to be involved in the financial decision-making process and rate-setting discussions, and where they see opportunities for improved collaboration with airports. 

Speakers:
Greg Chappell, Unison Consulting, Inc.

3:15 - 3:45 p.m.

3:45 - 4:45 p.m.

Major capital improvement programs can reshape an airport’s financial landscape—and often require a fresh look at rate-setting strategies. In this session, airport finance professionals will discuss how large-scale capital investments have influenced their rate methodologies, financial planning, and airline negotiations. Topics will include how airports have adapted compensatory or residual models to account for new debt service, facility expansions, and long-term cost recovery. Attendees will gain insight into balancing capital investment with airline affordability, maintaining flexibility in long-term agreements, and aligning funding strategies with rate structures.

Speakers:
TBD

8 - 9 a.m.

9 - 10 a.m.

 This session will provide an overview of national economic indicators, passenger and cargo traffic projections, airline capacity trends, and factors influencing demand at airports of all sizes. Experts will discuss how inflation, labor markets, fuel prices, and global economic conditions are impacting airline operations and airport planning. Attendees will gain valuable context to support financial forecasting, capital planning, and rate-setting decisions in today’s dynamic environment.                

Speakers:
Sharon Sarmiento, Unison Consulting, Inc.

Gary Lin, Unison Consulting, Inc.

10 - 11 a.m.

In this session, airport representatives will showcase creative and effective non-airline revenue strategies that are helping to strengthen financial sustainability and reduce airline cost burdens. From real estate development and renewable energy projects to concessions innovation and new commercial ventures, panelists will highlight how these revenue streams are structured, implemented, and integrated into the airport’s financial model. The discussion will also examine how non-airline revenues factor into annual rate-setting and how they can be leveraged to support capital programs, maintain competitive airline rates, and enhance overall airport value.

Speakers:
TBD

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Gain timely insights into the current state of the municipal bond market and how credit rating agencies are viewing the airport sector. In this session, an experienced investment banker and an airport financial manager will provide updates on interest rate trends, investor sentiment, and recent airport bond issuances. They will also discuss key factors influencing airport credit ratings, including debt levels, enplanement recovery, non-airline revenue diversification, and financial resiliency. Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of how capital market dynamics are affecting airport borrowing strategies, cost of capital, and long-term financial planning.

Speakers:
TBD

12 - 12:10 p.m.

Speakers:
Yovette Drake, Unison Consulting, Inc.