We Want to Develop an Airport

Navigate Airport Planning and Development

Airport development involves a range of planning, infrastructure, environmental, operational, and regulatory considerations. Explore resources that help communities understand airport development processes, FAA and UDOT coordination requirements, land use compatibility, and long-term planning considerations.

A plane on takeoff above Salt Lake International Airport with a foggy mountainscape in the background.

Doorway Brief: We Want to Develop an Airport

Why You Might Be Here

Your community may be interested in developing a new airport, expanding an existing airport, reactivating a former airport, or evaluating whether airport development is appropriate for future transportation, economic development, emergency response, or aviation-related goals.

Airport development is often a long-term undertaking involving federal, state, local, and private stakeholders. While the process can be complex, it exists to help communities identify potential airspace conflicts, safety concerns, compatibility issues, environmental considerations, and operational needs before significant resources are invested.

This doorway is intended to help communities understand the basic process, key decisions, and relevant toolkit resources.

Start with the FAA

One of the first steps in developing a new airport is engaging with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Federal regulations require advance notice before constructing, activating, altering, or changing the status of an airport. This process typically begins through FAA Form 7480-1 and the procedures established under 14 CFR Part 157. The FAA uses this information to conduct an aeronautical study and evaluate how a proposed airport may affect existing airspace, aviation operations, and nearby facilities.

Importantly, FAA review does not replace local approvals, state requirements, zoning decisions, environmental review, or community planning processes. FAA determinations are advisory and are intended to support safe and efficient use of the National Airspace System.

Public or Private?

One of the earliest decisions involves determining whether the airport is intended to be public-use or private-use.

Public-use airports are available for use by the general public and may qualify for certain federal and state funding programs. Public-use facilities may also assume additional responsibilities related to access, planning, maintenance, grant obligations, and long-term operation.

Private-use airports generally provide greater flexibility in some areas but may have different funding opportunities/challenges and operational considerations.

This distinction influences future planning decisions and should be considered early in the process.

Airport Development Involves More Than Runways

Communities sometimes envision airport development primarily as a runway project. In practice, airports are transportation facilities that require a supporting system of infrastructure and services.

Examples may include:

Airfield infrastructure
Vehicle access
Utilities
Emergency response
Security
Fueling or charging infrastructure
Communications systems
Weather information
Maintenance facilities
Hangars
Ground transportation connections

The scale of these needs depends on the airport's intended role.

Defining the Airport's Purpose

Before discussing infrastructure, communities should understand why the airport is being proposed.

Possible objectives may include:

Community access
Emergency medical transportation
Economic development
Business aviation
Tourism
Agricultural aviation
Cargo and logistics
Workforce development
Public safety
Wildfire response

The airport's purpose influences nearly every subsequent planning decision.

Understanding Long-Term Commitments

Airports are long-lived assets. Planning decisions made early can influence operations, compatibility, and development patterns for decades.

Communities should consider:

Long-term ownership
Maintenance responsibilities
Capital improvement needs
Utility requirements
Emergency response capability
Land-use compatibility
Future expansion potential
Community goals

Many successful airport projects begin with a clear understanding of how the facility supports broader transportation, economic development, public safety, or community objectives.

Building a Strong Foundation

Communities do not need to wait until demand warrants construction to improve readiness.

There are several areas that a community may work on in anticipation, including:

Reviewing airport-related ordinances
Updating aviation definitions and terminology
Evaluating airport overlay districts
Reviewing conditional use permits and development standards
Updating emergency response plans
Improving coordination among stakeholders
Identifying compatible and incompatible land uses
Understanding existing airspace and aviation activity

These activities can provide value regardless of whether airport development ultimately proceeds.

Recommended Next Steps

If your community is considering airport development, consider reviewing:

Infrastructure, Land Use, and Place

To better understand airport siting, airport design, supporting infrastructure, access, compatibility planning, and long-term facility considerations.

Governance, Roles, Authority, and Coordination

To understand the responsibilities of local governments, airport sponsors, operators, state agencies, and federal agencies.

Environmental and Noise Mitigation Strategies

To understand environmental review, aircraft noise, land use compatibility, and community expectations.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Guide

To evaluate emergency response planning, facility access, training, mutual aid, and preparedness considerations.

Economic Development and Readiness

To explore how airport development may support transportation, logistics, business access, workforce development, tourism, emergency response, or other local objectives.

Resource Directory

To locate FAA airport notification resources, airport planning guidance, environmental review resources, and other supporting materials.

Questions to Consider

Why is the airport being proposed?
Will the facility be public-use or private-use?
Has the FAA been contacted?
What transportation, economic development, emergency response, or public safety needs would the airport support?
Are there existing airports nearby that already meet those needs?
How would emergency response be provided?
What utility and infrastructure requirements would be needed?
How would surrounding land uses be affected?
What long-term responsibilities would ownership create?
Which sections of this toolkit are most relevant to the community's goals?

Airport development is ultimately a community planning decision. Understanding the purpose of the airport, the needs it is intended to address, and the responsibilities that accompany ownership can help communities make informed decisions before significant investments are made.

Infrastructure, Land Use, and Place: This resource explores how AAM infrastructure fits within the broader community context, including transportation networks, land use patterns, utility systems, economic development goals, and public spaces. It helps communities evaluate where and how aviation infrastructure can be integrated to support connectivity, accessibility, and long-term community planning objectives.

Infrastructure, Land Use, and Place

Governance, Roles, Authority, and Coordination: This resource explains how responsibilities for AAM are shared across federal, state, and local agencies, airport sponsors, operators, and other stakeholders. It helps communities understand governance frameworks, regulatory authorities, and coordination requirements related to aircraft, operations, airspace, infrastructure, and community planning.

Governance, Roles, Authority, and Coordination

Environmental and Noise Mitigation Strategies: This resource provides guidance on environmental compatibility, noise considerations, and mitigation strategies associated with airports, vertiports, drone facilities, and other aviation infrastructure. Explore potential impacts, evaluate planning considerations, and identify proactive approaches that support compatibility with surrounding land uses.

Environmental and Noise Mitigation Strategies

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Guide: This guide helps communities evaluate public safety, emergency response, and preparedness considerations associated with AAM infrastructure and operations. It provides guidance on stakeholder coordination, emergency planning, responder readiness, facility access, and risk management to support safe and effective integration of emerging aviation technologies.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Guide

Economic Development and Readiness: This resource explores how communities can evaluate the economic opportunities, infrastructure needs, workforce considerations, and partnerships that may support future AAM activity. It provides guidance on assessing local readiness, identifying potential benefits, and aligning AAM opportunities with broader economic development and transportation goals.

Economic Development and Readiness

AAM Laws Directory: Explore a curated directory of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and guidance documents relevant to Advanced Air Mobility. Use these resources to better understand the legal and regulatory landscape shaping AAM planning, infrastructure, and operations.

Law Directory

Resource Directory: Explore a curated directory of reports, studies, guidance documents, and industry resources organized by key AAM topics. Use these materials to deepen your understanding of infrastructure, planning, governance, operations, community engagement, market development, and other considerations related to Advanced Air Mobility.

Resource Directory

Master Term Register: Explore a comprehensive glossary of Advanced Air Mobility terminology, acronyms, and industry definitions. Use this resource to better understand the technical, operational, planning, and regulatory language commonly used throughout the AAM ecosystem.

Master Term Register