Airport planning encompasses capacity, master and regional planning, aviation forecasting, and airspace planning. Activities include providing planning guidance, producing the biennial National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, developing capacity studies, collecting boarding and cargo data to determine airport categories, and supporting NexGen through the development of tools such as the eALP.
- Accessible Airport Facilities
- Airport Capacity Profiles
- Airports GIS Program
- FACT3: Airport Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System (PDF)
- General Aviation Airports Reports (ASSET 1 and ASSET 2)
- Joint Civilian/Military (Joint-Use) Airports
- National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS)
- Non-Federally Owned Air Navigation Aids
Order 5090.5, Formulation of the NPIAS-ACIP
This Order establishes guidelines for managing and maintaining two federal plans that are essential to airport development: the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP). The Order also discusses the NPIAS project database that supports these plans and its use for preparing the Secretary of Transportation's biennial NPIAS Report. This new Order replaces both Order 5100.39A, Airports Capital Improvement Plan and Order 5090.3, Field Formulation of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
Advisory Circulars (ACs)
Airport Master Planning
Aviation Forecasts
- Terminal Area Forecast (TAF)
- Forecasting Aviation Activity by Airport (MS Word)
- Guidance on Review & Approval of Local Aviation Forecasts (6/2008) (PDF)
Contact Us
Guidance & Policy
- ACC/FAA Best Practices, 2008 (PDF)
- Airport Layout Plan Reviews and Projects Potentially Affected by Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (PDF) (added 12/17/2020)
- Bulletin 1: Best Practices-Surface Access To Airports (PDF)
- Clarification of Declared Distances for Non-turbine Powered Airplanes (PDF) (editorially updated 7/22/2020)
- Interim Guidance on Land Uses Within a Runway Protection Zone (PDF)
- Interim Guidance on Mineral Extraction and Request for Data Update (PDF, 1.77 MB)
- Interim Guidance on Proposed Commercial Space Facilities and Operations at Federally Obligated or Part 139 Airports (PDF)
- Formulation of the NPIAS and ACIP, Order 5090.5 (September 3, 2019)
- Reminder of Responsibilities for Protecting Approach and Departure Surfaces (PDF)
NextGen for Airports
Passenger, Cargo, & Operations Data
- Air Traffic Activity Data System (Historic Airport Operations)
- Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP)
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
- Passenger and Cargo Data
Publications
Tools & Resources
Regional Supplemental Guidance
Additional guidance on this topic is available for the following regions of the country:
- Central (IA, KS, MO, NE)
- Eastern (DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV)
- Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI)
- New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
- Northwest Mountain (CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY)
- Southern (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI)
Planning Forms
| Subject/Title | Number | Other Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Cargo Carrier Activity Report Form | 5100-108 | Visit the All-Cargo Reporting page for additional information and sample forms. Instructions included with form. | |
| Airport Activity Survey | 1800-31 | Visit the Airport Activity Survey page for forms, instructions, additional information, and samples. |