In today’s aviation environment, airports are no longer just places where planes take off and land. They are powerful economic engines, sensitive environmental zones, public-facing institutions, and more often than not, hotbeds of political scrutiny. That means one thing: how you communicate is as important as what you operate.
As the former Airport Manager at Cape Cod Gateway Airport and now a part of Hoyle Tanner’s aviation team, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-executed communications strategy can make or break an airport’s projects, reputation, and relationship with its community. (Get the handout from the conference here.)
The Hidden Cost of Silence
Let’s face it: Airports operate in a fishbowl. From noise concerns and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) mitigation efforts to terminal upgrades and snowstorm disruptions, the public is watching and talking. When airports stay silent, misinformation fills the void. Public trust erodes. And critical initiatives, like expansions or infrastructure grants, can stall under the weight of community opposition or regulatory roadblocks.
Conversely, a proactive, transparent communication strategy pays long-term dividends. It builds trust with neighbors and tenants, prepares your team for crises, and strengthens partnerships with municipal leaders and regulators.
Turning Communication into a Strategic Advantage
At Hoyle Tanner, we help airports of all sizes craft strategic outreach and stakeholder relations plans. These aren’t cookie-cutter brochures. They are living documents tailored to your airport’s unique audience, priorities, and potential flashpoints. A strong plan identifies key stakeholders and mapping your audience of residents, elected officials, businesses, employees, media, and federal agencies, and aligns messaging across all channels and scenarios.
Take Cape Cod Gateway Airport as an example. When we faced a sensitive PFAS mitigation issue, our communication plan ensured we delivered timely, factual, and empathetic messaging across local media and public meetings. That transparency didn’t just ease public concern; it accelerated project support and regulatory coordination.
Engagement Isn’t Just for Crises
One of the most common mistakes we see? Only engaging stakeholders when something goes wrong. By then, it’s too late.
Instead, airports should build relationships before they need them:
- Hold informal briefings with town councils and legislators
- Empower tenants and staff as internal ambassadors
- Offer school tours, community forums, or open houses
- Maintain a steady cadence of updates through newsletters or social media
These efforts aren’t fluff; they are investments in goodwill. And when you do face an emergency or controversial project, you’ll find a more informed and supportive audience waiting but you will be more prepared because you already developed a communications framework.
The Tools Are Out There—Use Them
From social media and digital alerts to media relationships and public workshops, airports have more communication tools than ever. The challenge is using them strategically and consistently.
That’s where our team comes in. We offer:
- Communication planning and training
- Crisis response templates and checklists
- Stakeholder engagement strategies
- Media and messaging support tailored to the aviation world
The Bottom Line
Airports don’t get to opt out of public conversation anymore. But with the right outreach and community relations strategy, you can do more than just manage messaging, you can shape perception, reduce opposition, and strengthen every aspect of your airport’s operations.
If your airport is ready to turn communication into a strategic asset rather than a reactive chore, let’s talk. The skies may be unpredictable, but your outreach doesn’t have to be.
