Airport/Airline Relations: The foundation for collaboration
Posted: 14 August 2013 | Thomas Windmuller, Senior Vice President of Airport, Passenger and Cargo Services, IATA | No comments yet
Thomas Windmuller, Senior Vice President of Airport, Passenger and Cargo Services at IATA, explains why co-operation and partnership should be on the agenda for modern airline-airport relations
Airports are airlines’ closest partners and vice versa. Neither can exist without the other. Airports enable access to the global network that the airline industry has built. But an airline’s ability to take advantage of that opportunity is determined by the level of expense incurred to serve the airport, measured against the revenue the route can generate. So a key challenge is to balance the cost of growth with the need for financial sustainability. This requires a stronger partnership approach which addresses functional and affordable airport design, a focus on service improvement for airlines and our passengers, and an understanding that financing and charges have to be carefully controlled.
Thomas Windmuller, Senior Vice President of Airport, Passenger and Cargo Services at IATA, explains why co-operation and partnership should be on the agenda for modern airline-airport relations
Airports are airlines’ closest partners and vice versa. Neither can exist without the other. Airports enable access to the global network that the airline industry has built. But an airline’s ability to take advantage of that opportunity is determined by the level of expense incurred to serve the airport, measured against the revenue the route can generate. So a key challenge is to balance the cost of growth with the need for financial sustainability. This requires a stronger partnership approach which addresses functional and affordable airport design, a focus on service improvement for airlines and our passengers, and an understanding that financing and charges have to be carefully controlled.
Stay Connected with International Airport Review — Subscribe for Free!
Get exclusive access to the latest airport and aviation industry insights from International Airport Review — tailored to your interests.
✅ Expert-Led Webinars – Gain insights from global aviation leaders
✅ Weekly News & Reports – Airport innovation, thought leadership, and industry trends
✅ Exclusive Industry Insights – Discover cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of air travel
✅ International Airport Summit – Join our flagship event to network with industry leaders and explore the latest advancements
Choose the updates that matter most to you.
Sign up now to stay informed, inspired, and connected — all for free!
Thank you for being part of our aviation community. Let’s keep shaping the future of airports together!