A contractor’s first step in providing an airline with a space planning study is to visit the space to speak with airline representatives and produce computer-aided design (CAD) drawings based on an understanding of the current layout and use. Each airline has a set of standards when it comes to the use and appearance of its space based on the size of the operation, including how many flights it operates each day and how many people it employs.
There are many calculations involved when comparing an airline’s total existing areas with what is needed for efficient operation. For the most part, decisions to adjust the space are based on the contractor’s visit to the site and intimate knowledge of the day-to-day operation. Walking the space and talking to the people who use it will equip the team with the knowledge needed to create a space that will benefit the airline’s overhead costs and increase the ability of its employees to work efficiently.
Naturally, no space or operation is the same, and airlines that have been occupying the same area for many years might feel that they risk losing space as the result of a study. It’s not far from the truth — a space planning study can result in an airline giving space back to an airport, thereby saving on rent. But that's not always the case. Sometimes it's about getting more out of an existing space by looking for ways to optimize the layout given area to create adaptability for capacity changes, eliminating the need to take on additional space.