For Immediate Release
April 16, 2026
Alexandria, Va. — The American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT), comprised of innovative airport leaders and aviation industry experts, has released an industry report examining how U.S. airports are preparing for unprecedented electrical demand and increasingly utility-like operational responsibilities.
As airports electrify vehicles, ground service equipment fleets, terminals, heating systems, and airside operations — while also deploying solar, battery storage, and microgrids — many are now required to plan, monitor, and manage power systems with a level of sophistication traditionally associated with electrical utilities. Developed in partnership with Siemens, the report provides a comprehensive look at the challenges airports face as electrification accelerates, highlighting where airports are making progress and where significant gaps remain, including real-time power monitoring, staffing capacity, redundancy planning, and tenant transparency.
“This report underscores the challenge and opportunity that airports have to transform the energy management approach to drive meaningful improvements across our industry,” said Amy Nagengast, PhD, P.E., Energy Program Manager, San Francisco International Airport. “With SFO’s energy demands projected to grow significantly over the next 30 years, the time to modernize, digitize, and implement further resilient energy infrastructure systems is here.”
Report Provides In-Depth Look at Airports’ Emerging Utility Role
The research draws on extensive interviews with eight participating ACT airports including San Francisco International, Los Angeles World Airports, Denver International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Tampa International, San Luis Obispo County Regional, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., the Wayne County Airport Authority (Detroit Metropolitan Airport), and contributing airport Gerald R. Ford International in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Based on the new trends for energy demand, airports find themselves investigating ways to more effectively and efficiently deliver power to their stakeholders,” said John Kasuda, Head of Airports and Vertiports, Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. "Utility companies leverage their proven processes to do just that; it’s a model that served as the basis for our research here. Partnerships like the one we have with ACT are so valuable because together we can explore these important topics and shape the future of airports.”
As electrification accelerates, ACT remains committed to helping airports share insights, build industry-ready tools, and address the complex challenges associated with modern electrical infrastructure.
“AAAE is proud to support research that gives airports a clearer understanding of how electrification is reshaping their infrastructure needs,” added Kyle Herbig, Senior Vice President of Airport Solutions, AAAE.
What the Report Examines
The report seeks to answer the question of whether airports are acting like utility companies, examining key areas including:
- Current and future electrical infrastructure needs
- Internal power distribution strategies, metering, submetering, and Electrical Power Monitoring Systems
- Resiliency and redundancy across airport operations
- Stakeholder service expectations, cost recovery, and airport–utility relationships
- Strategic considerations for adopting “utility-lite” practices
Across airports of all sizes, the report found strong alignment in the urgency of modernizing aging systems, improving power visibility, and preparing for long-term load growth.
The report is now available for download in the ACT repository.
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About ACT: The Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT), an innovation program powered by AAAE, is a collaborative forum of airports and industry partners working together to develop industry resources, pilot emerging technologies, and share operational insights. Through task forces, research initiatives, technology pilots, and knowledge-sharing, ACT advances airport innovation and delivers practical tools to support the future of aviation.
About AAAE: Founded in 1928, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) is the world's largest professional organization representing the individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 12,000 members represent more than 950 airports as well as hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C. and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.
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CONTACT:
Brian M. Kalish
Associate Vice President, Communications
brian.kalish@aaae.org
703.575.2461
Jeremy Valcich, C.M., ACE, IACE
Director, Innovation Programs
valcichj@aaae.org
703.797.9016
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