Faculty of Social Sciences

Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management

Short Courses

Airport Planning and Development

Registration is Open

Planning the Gateway of Tomorrow

Airport development is defined by decisions whose consequences may last for decades. A runway extension, terminal redesign, drainage system, land-use decision or technology investment can either unlock future growth or create costly constraints that are difficult to reverse. Effective planning therefore requires more than responding to current traffic. It requires the ability to judge what the airport will need next, what can realistically be afforded and which investments will deliver the greatest long-term value.

These choices carry particular weight in the Caribbean. Airports often operate on limited land, depend heavily on public investment and tourism flows, and face direct exposure to hurricanes, flooding, coastal erosion and other climate threats. Expansion cannot simply replicate the models used by major international hubs. Development must be phased carefully, infrastructure must withstand local conditions, and every major investment must support both airport performance and wider national priorities.

This four-week programme arms participants with the planning judgement and practical tools needed to shape airport development with greater discipline. You will learn how to interrogate traffic forecasts, test capacity assumptions, assess development options, prioritise capital investments and embed climate resilience into infrastructure decisions from the outset.

Rather than producing plans that sit on shelves, you will be prepared to turn long-term vision into a credible development pathway. You will leave better able to challenge weak assumptions, defend investment priorities and guide airport projects that are operationally sound, financially realistic and capable of serving your country well into the future.

Programme  Objectives

On successful completion of the programme, delegates will be able to:

  •  Evaluate airport planning frameworks and development strategies to support long-term operational, commercial and national development objectives.
  •  Analyse passenger demand, traffic forecasts and capacity requirements to inform airport infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
  •  Assess airport infrastructure, land use and development options to optimise operational efficiency, passenger experience and future growth.
  •  Develop airport planning strategies that integrate sustainability, climate resilience and disaster preparedness into airport development.
  •  Recommend infrastructure investment priorities that balance operational requirements, financial constraints and stakeholder expectations.
  •  Design a phased airport development strategy that integrates capacity, investment, technology and climate resilience while responding to the operational and economic realities of a Caribbean airport.

At a Glance

Course Duration:

March 1 – 24, 2027

Times:

Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30pm – 8:30pm AST

Certificate Awarded:

Professional Development Certificate of Competence

Cost:

US $850.00

Registration Deadline:

February 22, 202

Modality:

Online

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Additional Information

Programme Curriculum

Strategic Airport Planning and Development

  •  The Airport Master Planning Process
  •  Translating Aviation Demand into Development Priorities
  •  Airport Planning Horizons and Development Triggers
  •  Land-Use Planning, Safeguarding and Compatible Development
  •  Integrating Airport Plans with Tourism, Transport and National Development
  •  Stakeholder Consultation, Governance and Planning Approvals
  •  Planning Government-Owned Airports in Small-Island States

Capacity Planning and Infrastructure Development

  •  Passenger, Aircraft and Cargo Traffic Forecasting
  •  Testing Forecast Assumptions and Managing Demand Uncertainty
  •  Runway, Taxiway, Apron and Gate Capacity
  •  Terminal Capacity, Passenger Processing and Level of Service
  •  Identifying Bottlenecks Across the Airport System
  •  Phased Development and Expansion While Remaining Operational
  •  Making Better Use of Existing Infrastructure Before Expanding
  •  Planning with Limited Land, Capital and Construction Capacity

 

Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Airport Development

  •  Climate Risk Screening for Airport Infrastructure
  •  Hurricanes, Flooding, Storm Surge, Heat and Coastal Exposure
  •  Designing for Operational Continuity and Faster Recovery
  •  Drainage, Utilities, Energy, Water and Critical Systems Resilience
  •  Sustainable Terminal and Airfield Development
  •  Carbon Reduction and Energy Transition in Airport Planning
  •  Environmental and Social Impact Considerations
  •  Protecting Airports as National Critical Infrastructure

Future Airports: Innovation, Investment and Strategic Growth

  •  Developing Future Airport Scenarios
  •  Prioritising Investments Under Financial Constraint
  •  Building the Strategic Case for Airport Development
  •  Smart Airport Infrastructure and Digital Readiness
  •  Automation, Biometrics, Data Systems and Appropriate Technology
  •  Public-Private Partnerships and Alternative Delivery Models
  •  Airport-City, Commercial and Economic Development Opportunities
  •  Converting the Master Plan into a Phased Development Roadmap
  •  Leading Long-Term Airport Transformation

How You Will Learn

This programme combines international airport planning practices with the realities of planning and developing airports in small-island and developing economies. Participants will:

· Learn from airport planners, infrastructure specialists and aviation leaders.

· Analyse airport master plans and development projects from around the world.

· Examine Caribbean airport expansion, redevelopment and resilience initiatives.

· Apply planning tools to evaluate future airport development needs.

· Develop practical planning solutions that can be adapted to their own airport or organisation.

 

Assessment

Airport Development Strategy – Participants will develop a strategic airport development proposal for an existing airport or planned expansion. The proposal will evaluate future demand, infrastructure priorities, investment considerations, sustainability measures and

implementation recommendations while addressing the operational, financial and environmental realities of the airport.

 

Benefits for You and Your Organisation

You will be better equipped to:

  •  Make more informed decisions about airport expansion and infrastructure investment.
  •  Evaluate future airport capacity requirements before they constrain growth.
  •  Integrate climate resilience and sustainability into airport planning decisions.
  •  Balance operational needs with financial realities and long-term development goals.
  •  Align airport development with tourism, trade and national economic priorities.
  •  Lead planning initiatives that strengthen airport resilience, competitiveness and long-term value.

 

Alignment with Regional and Global Aviation Priorities

This programme supports international and regional priorities by:

  •  Aligning with ICAO guidance on aerodrome planning, capacity and sustainable airport development.
  •  Supporting Airports Council International (ACI) planning and infrastructure competencies.
  •  Promoting resilient airport infrastructure consistent with global climate adaptation priorities.
  •  Supporting CARICOM’s objectives for improved regional air transport connectivity and sustainable infrastructure development.
  •  Strengthening planning approaches that reflect the realities of Caribbean small-island developing states.

Who Should Attend

This programme is designed for professionals involved in airport planning, infrastructure development and strategic decision-making, including:

  •  Airport Planning and Development Managers
  •  Airport Infrastructure and Engineering Managers
  •  Airport Operations Managers
  •  Civil Aviation Authority Personnel
  •  Airport Executives and Senior Managers
  •  Government Officials responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Aviation
  •  Airport Consultants and Project Managers
  •  Urban and Transport Planners working on aviation projects
  •  Professionals preparing for leadership roles in airport planning and development

All notification of cancellations, deferrals, and substitutions must be received in writing. Please submit your request via e-mail to schsbmopen@cavehill.uwi.edu

CANCELLATIONS

  • The Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management (SCHSBM) reserves the right to make changes to any printed or online information on short courses, instructors, or course information; or cancel any short course due to under-subscription or circumstances beyond its control.
  • Delegates will be notified at least seven (7) days before the start of any course that must be cancelled.
  • Fees for short courses cancelled by the SCHSBM will be refunded in full.
  • The SCHSBM will not be liable for any loss, damages or other expenses that result from course cancellations.

REFUNDS

Due to the costs incurred for program preparation and administration any cancellations received 30 days or less from the program start date are subject to fees as described below. For programs with a virtual component, the start date will be considered the first day of live learning.

Written notice of cancellation received by SCHSBM Refund
30 days or more before the start of the specific course 100% of course fees.
29 to 15 days before the start of the specific course 50% of course fees.
14 days or less before the start of the specific course No refund

Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management
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