Originally Posted by
OzzyOzBorn
I think that most of us on this forum recognise that an airport is a much bigger deal than a passenger terminal alone. DSA's issue is that it is a persistent loss-maker even taking full account of the range of ancillary activities across the site. The main fixed costs associated with running an airport do not relate to the terminal building. In order to maintain its status as a licensed airfield, runways, taxiways and navaids must be maintained to exacting standards, specialist staff must be employed to make this happen; an Airport Fire Service must be maintained - a very well equipped one if you're thinking B747 freighters; ATC provision must be maintained, robust site security is essential. Spare parts (eg. replacement runway lights) manufactured to aviation standards cost a fortune. High-spec equipment must be constantly checked and calibrated. Grassland must be maintained, bird activity controlled, wildlife kept away from runways etc. Regular inspections of runways and taxiways must happen on an approved schedule. All of this is so expensive that if you're going to keep it going, switching on the lights in your (existing) passenger terminal is the least of your worries. You might as well keep it open. The big cost savings arise from NOT having to maintain licensed airport infrastructure, and from NOT having to employ highly-qualified airport ops, ATC, security and AFS personnel.
This sort of makes my point
“You might as well keep it open” You’ve obviously never seen a heating bill for a terminal.. plenty of significant costs that can be saved by not running the terminal.
Your listing of stuff is no surprise to anyone familiar with CAP168, that’s what you need to run a licensed airfield. Anyone familiar with running an airfield and CAP168 will know the various cost savings that can be made and derogations available within those requirements. St Athan being a perfect example of a similar facility not having regular passenger flights. For example the runway inspection, anyone suitably trained can do that, eg a spare security person, or a fireman/ATC/ops. Not really a massive challenge.