AirACADEMY

This class is an introduction to the activities associated with a medium hub commercial airport. In addition to an overview of the Airport, participants will learn the history of John Wayne Airport and its organizational structure of six Airport divisions, including the Airport Director, Commercial and Revenue Development, Finance Administration, Operations, Public Affairs, and Innovation and Technology. The discussion will include Airport governance, Airport advisory commissions, leadership structure, and Airport rules and regulations.

Running the Airport takes a complex budget, and funding comes from various sources. The Finance Administration division comprises four units, Budget and Procurement, Finance, Administration, and Accounting Operations. The team is responsible for airline rates and charges, debt and liquidity management, preparation and monitoring of the Airport budget and 5-year strategic financial plan, daily operation of accounting systems and processes, procurement operations, and preparation of financial statements and regulatory reports. Participants will learn how John Wayne Airport applies for grants, maintains fiscal responsibility, and budget planning for the future.

Commercial and Revenue Development is an integral part of planning and implementing a strategic financial plan that balances commercial air travel with general aviation at the Airport. John Wayne Airport is home to nearly 500 private general aviation aircraft, including single- and multi-engine aircraft, corporate jets, helicopters, and vintage biplanes. General aviation represents nearly 70% of the Airport's total number of operations. Participants will learn about the Airport’s comprehensive General Aviation Improvement Program (GAIP), including the evaluation and planning.

This class will also focus on the critical issues involved with developing, implementing, and monitoring all commercial real property contracts concerning the Airport and all necessary services to keep the Airport running efficiently. Participants will experience the intricacies of the concessions program by enjoying a walking tour of the terminal from a business perspective and learning what it takes to attract restaurants, retail, and services to John Wayne Airport. They will also review the unique conditions within which the businesses work, highlighting processes, partnerships, and future vision.

Participants will learn about how the Airport Public Affairs team fulfills our goal of being a good neighbor and providing a superior guest experience. The Public Affairs division at John Wayne Airport comprises five units, Access and Noise, Communications, Customer Relations, Government Relations, and Public Relations. This team is responsible for communicating with media and responding to general inquiries; providing legislative and regulatory analysis; serving as front-line customer service; coordinating Airport volunteer programs; planning and organizing museum-quality art exhibitions; and disbursing information via the Airport website and social media.

Participants will learn about environmental and sustainability efforts in air travel and our overarching goals to be responsible members of our community. With numerous programs and best practices implemented throughout the terminal and airfield, John Wayne Airport is committed to our role as a steward of sustainable aviation practices and technologies.

Airport Operations include the day-to-day oversight of Airport activities of four units; Airside Operations, Landside Operations, Emergency Preparedness and Security, and Safety and Loss Control.

In this course, participants will learn how Operations conducts Airport inspections, manages the employee identification and badging process, and supports the safety and security of the Airport. This group also provides oversight of Airport Police Services and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting services and is the point of contact for the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Continuing the topic of the previous course, the class will learn about Airport planning, highlighting the broad landscape of our regulatory framework. John Wayne Airport’s continual awareness of (and responsiveness to) local, state, and federal laws impacting air travel directly affects daily operations. Participants will also learn of the substantial technological enterprise that works behind the scenes to keep our parking and airline support services operating smoothly and efficiently. This includes an up-close look at the airfield through a group shuttled tour.

The Access and Noise office enforces the 1985 Federal Court Settlement Agreement, educates stakeholders about aircraft access and noise issues, and handles noise inquiries and requests for data. Participants will gain an understanding of the unique regulatory structure within the Settlement Agreement that established mandatory limits for noise, operating hours (curfew), annual passengers, and daily departures.

Finally, this class will provide a comprehensive overview of upcoming developments, initiatives, and enhancements planned for John Wayne Airport. Discover how the Airport is evolving to meet the needs of travelers and the community, learn about upcoming projects, and explore the vision for the future of air travel in Orange County.

The Academy will end with a presentation of participation certificates and class photos.