What is the primary purpose of an airport master plan?

• A. To plan day-to-day operations and staffing.
• B. To identify safety compliance requirements for airport operations.
• C. To define the long-range vision and guide capital development to meet forecast demand and community needs.
• D. To determine the current year's operating budget.

Answer: (C)

An airport master plan is a long-term roadmap for growth that defines the airport’s vision and guides capital development to meet forecast demand and community needs. It begins with projecting future passenger and air traffic, then analyzes capacity and facility requirements for terminals, runways, airside and landside infrastructure, and support services. The plan evaluates development options, selects a preferred approach, and outlines a phased program of capital projects and funding to implement those improvements over an extended horizon. This approach ensures growth is aligned with anticipated demand, environmental and land-use constraints, and the interests of the surrounding community, while providing a framework to secure funding and regulatory approvals.

Daily operations and staffing address current activity, safety compliance is handled through regulatory and safety programs, and the current-year operating budget is financial planning rather than long-range development planning.