The project team is excited to announce that the Nevada Airport and Heliport System Plan (NAHSP) is approaching completion! With the help of the NAHSP Project Advisory Committee (PAC), two chapters have been finalized since our last update in October and two additional chapters are well underway. Highlights of those chapters are provided as well as the next steps to bring the NAHSP to the finish line. Please visit our project website to review all of the chapters completed to date.

Chapter 6. Forecast of Aviation Demand: This chapter provides an overview of socioeconomic trends, such as population, employment, and gross regional product (GRP), that may impact aviation activity over a 20-year planning horizon. The socioeconomic data sets the context for the forecasts. The chapter presents the results of multiple methodologies that were employed to identify the most appropriate aviation activity forecast for a number of activity indicators including based aircraft, general aviation (GA) operations, commercial service operations, and enplanements. The project team and NDOT worked closely to review the results of each methodology to identify the methodology that most accurately represents the anticipated forecast for each activity indicator. PAC members were given an opportunity to provide input on preliminary findings during the PAC meeting held in November 2021, prior to receiving the full draft chapter for their review. While the findings of Chapter 6 are not intended to be used for future facility planning at the airport level, they do provide a high-level overview of anticipated aviation demand changes. The information gathered from this chapter is considered in developing project recommendations and policy considerations. Click here to read Chapter 6 of the NAHSP.

Chapter 7. Existing and Future Performance: This chapter is a critical link between establishing existing conditions and identifying project recommendations and policy considerations for airports individually and at the system level. The chapter opens by presenting results of the Value Rating Variable (VRV) and Facility and Service Objectives (FSO) analyses at the airport role and systemwide level. The VRV analysis included NPIAS airports only and the FSOs focused solely on non-NPIAS facilities. More information on the VRV and FSO analysis is presented in Chapter 5. Airport Regional Value (ARV) Methodology. Chapter 7 also presents the results of the Performance Measure (PM) analyses that are tied to the six overarching project goals. The results of the PM analyses indicate how well the system is currently meeting its goals. During the development of this chapter the project team met with the PAC, who assisted in setting future performance targets for the PMs. The future performance targets were critical in identifying preliminary project and policy considerations for the PMs. The information presented in Chapter 7 provides a baseline for the recommendations and considerations presented in Chapter 8. Summary of Recommendations and System Costs. Click here to read Chapter 7 of the NAHSP.

Chapter 8. Summary of Recommendations and System Costs: This chapter serves as the conclusion to all of the data collection, airport classification, activity forecast, and system performance analyses conducted throughout the lifespan of the NAHSP. The chapter, still in final development, will provide an overview of potential future impacts to aviation demands and needs such as large ground transportation projects, significant population growth, and changes to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) classifications that may affect system airports. It will also provide project recommendations and policy considerations related to the VRV/FSO analyses and PM analyses presented in Chapter 7. Project recommendations are identified for PMs by evaluating the delta between existing performance and future performance targets, or between existing performance and the objectives identified in the VRV and FSO methodology. The project recommendations will also include identification of cost estimates for the projects that, when summed with provided Airport Capital Improvement Plans (ACIPs), provide an overall understanding of the financial need required to maintain and develop Nevada’s aviation system over the 20-year planning horizon. The policy considerations presented in this chapter focus on areas specific to PMs and other analyses that can help NDOT, and airport managers identify action items that can enhance system performance over time. This chapter will conclude with a discussion of available funding sources and considerations for project prioritization. We look forward to sharing this chapter with you soon!

Chapter 9. Airport Economic Impact Analysis: This chapter presents the methodology and findings of the Nevada Airport Economic Impact Study (AEIS). Using data provided by airport representatives and industry sources, an estimate of the annual economic contribution of Nevada airports is presented. Aviation economic impact is presented in three categories: employment, labor income, and total output at the airport level and statewide. This chapter also presents the tax impacts of the Nevada system airports and highlights three important special events supported by aviation: Burning Man, the High Sierra Fly-in, and the Reno Air Races. This chapter is currently undergoing a review by the PAC and will be posted to the project website soon!

Next Steps:

The project team will be meeting with the PAC in mid-February. This meeting will be used to obtain input prior to finalizing Chapter 8. Summer of Recommendations and System Costs. The PAC will be given an opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas on the recommendations and considerations that should be included. This final PAC meeting will also include a presentation on the final economic impact findings, results of the airport replacement value analysis, and preview of the individual airport brochures that are being developed for each airport in the system.
After the PAC meeting, the project team will continue working hard to finalize the technical report, produce the NAHSP executive summary, NAHSP study brochure, and individual airport brochures! The project team updates the project website routinely, so check back in to see what’s new! Please note that all chapters are considered draft until the study’s completion in late March.