Current State of Practice in Selection and Implementation of Airport Capital Project Delivery Methods

Selection and implementation of project delivery methods are important decisions in an airport capital project that will determine how the airport agency employs procurement and financing strategies, management structures, and cash flows. Most current delivery method selection approaches in the aviation sector rely on experience and opinions of construction experts. A research gap exists regarding understandings of existing and emerging delivery methods as well as their alignment with procurement and management structures, organizational capabilities, and financial planning considerations. The objective of this study was to investigate the current state of practice in selection and implementation of project delivery methods in airport projects. A content analysis of 26 airport projects across the US was performed to synthesize documents regarding selection and implementation of project delivery methods and procurement approaches. The results show that alternative contracting methods, including construction manager-at-risk, design-build, and public-private partnership, are increasingly used in authority/quasi-government airports because of their connection to financial planning, contract strategies, and procurement methods. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive review of current practices of selecting and implementing project delivery methods in capital airport projects. The results also imply the importance of considering risk-based methodologies for project delivery selection in the aviation sector.