An Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive study that is used to determine the development plans of an airport. The Airport Master Plan acts as guidance in planning future airport facilities over a 20-year period. It considers future aviation demand, available funding, environmental components and airport needs that are associated with current demand as well as future growth.
The primary goal of an Airport Master Plan is to provide guidance for future airport development. Secondarily, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division require airports to maintain a current Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to remain eligible for federal and state grant funding. Master Plans establish a set of development parameters and timelines that coincide with effectively satisfying forecast demand. While Master Plans vary in complexity, they aid in fiscal responsibility, reaction to industry uncertainties, and balancing airport improvements with local concerns.
Airport master plan components are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The BVY Master Plan will include the following:
The completion of the master planning process will result in the following two products:
An ALP is a specific drawing that that focuses on proposed improvements on and around the subject airport. It depicts features unique to the airport as well as various potential future construction projects and other possible planned development. It is critical to note that the inclusion of a future project on an ALP does not guarantee that the project will be funded and/or implemented – it simply ensures that the proposed project is consistent with federal airport design standards. Essentially, inclusion of a project on an ALP preserves the potential for the project to be implemented in the future. The broader term “Airport Layout Plan Drawing Set” is used to describe several pages of drawings that serve as a graphical representation of a wide range of information and details related to airport facilities, proposed development, airspace, land use concerns, and property holdings. Drawing sets are prepared in accordance with strict Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines.
Updates are necessary due to the dynamic nature of the aviation industry and the airport’s community concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends updating airport master plans every 7-10 years. Airport Master Plans serve as a platform to help ensure safe and efficient airport operations, while also addressing potential airport improvement needs and community concerns.
The timing of this Airport Master Plan allows the consulting team to study the changes in aviation industry trends and how those related to BVY’s service area. Airport user needs and community interests will be considered throughout the process, and potential responses and solutions will be formulated.
Community participation and input lies at the center an Airport Master Plan, and a community engagement process is being conducted for BVY that solicits and considers input from a wide variety of sources. Interested parties such as airport users, tenants, local businesses, residents from the surrounding communities, stakeholders, airport operators, passengers, and local representatives are included in the process. It is important that each party provides input so that the Airport Master Plan will ultimately reflect the needs and desires of the various communities that it serves.
Key issues for this Master Plan include:
Beverly Regional Airport is committed to promoting a sustainable future that not only meets its most immediate needs, but also preserves the potential to effectively meet those needs yet unforeseen. Decisions will be made to minimize negative environmental and social impacts, respect nature and the well-being of the Airport’s surroundings. Working towards sustainability is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while continuing to ensure the Airport provides appropriate functionality, safety, and service to the community.
Development of the Airport Master Plan is expected to take 16 months. Development of aviation demand forecasts, the development of alternative strategies, and finalization of the Airport Master Plan are major milestones during this time. Formal adoption of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) is anticipated in summer/fall of 2020. The complete project schedule is on Schedule page.
An Airport Master Plan, including the Airport Layout Plan (ALP), is produced following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and regulations found in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5070-6, Airport Master Plans. The BVY Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan will be ultimately approved by the Beverly Regional Airport Commission, the legal sponsor of the Airport. The FAA does not technically approve the entire Master Plan but reviews and approves two key components: the airport forecast, and the ALP drawing, indicating acceptance of the plan with respect to safety, efficiency, and utility of the airport. Note that additional federal, state, and local approvals and steps would be required prior to any project identified within the Airport Master Plan moving forward into the design and construction phases.
Local entities such as the City of Beverly and the Towns of Danvers and Wenham are encouraged to incorporate the approved plan into local planning.
The Airport Master Planning process is, by nature, interactive. A multi-faceted community engagement program is being implemented so that interested parties will have an opportunity to participate at various points throughout the course of the study. During the Airport Master Plan, the Airport will be engaging the community at open houses and community meetings and through airport and tenant surveys. Please see the project schedule for approximate timing of these events.
Users of our air transportation system (including people shipping packages, private pilots, airline passengers and corporate aircraft users) pay for the costs of developing the United States’ National Airspace System and a portion of public use airports. Similar to the national highway system, much of airports’ infrastructure is paid for with user taxes on airline tickets, air freight, and aviation fuels.
Typically, federal funding is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and state funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division. AIP funds are derived from taxes on national and international travel, air cargo taxes, and noncommercial aviation fuel which are deposited in the federal aviation trust fund for the purpose of improving the nation’s aviation infrastructure. Ultimately, the airport users fund the local share for improvements through rent, fees, passenger facility charges and purchases at BVY.
The simplest way is through this website. A key objective is for the community to take ownership of this initiative. Here, you can review the latest information and share your comments on the Contact page. Public meetings will be announced in advance of meeting dates. Important dates, meetings, conclusions, and project status/updates will be posted on this website.
Stay informed by: