Keeping it Real

There’s a demand and necessity for things that are real. Despite so many new technologies coming to our industry, there are still simple truths that have held strong (or we have yet to say goodbye to):

• Air travel involves putting butts in seats.
• Airport guests can order food and beverages through apps, but they still bite into real food.
• Aircraft do not land on simulated runways on someone’s computer. It takes real asphalt or concrete.

I’m sure there are others you could add to this list. One that I’d like to add is that print magazines continue to stand the test of time. The demand for them is real.

As readers, you decide how to read Airport Improvement—in print or on screen (possible both). Currently, more than 84% choose print subscriptions. Amazing! And this percentage really hasn’t changed much since the magazine was launched in 2008. Who would believe that in this digital age, such an overwhelming number of industry professionals would choose print?!

Much like you are encountering material shortages and rising costs during infrastructure improvement projects, we face supply chain issues and inflationary pressures when producing this magazine. Finding the high grade of paper needed to publish Airport Improvement is one of the things that keeps me awake at night. Some publications have had to switch grades of paper and/or delay issue print dates. So far, we’ve been lucky. Our printer has come through with the higher quality, glossy paper and other supplies we need.

Also like you, we’re weathering the challenges. Despite the headaches, airport business is good. Passenger traffic is up. There are lots of butts in seats! In addition, construction is underway at most airports and more projects are being planned. 

We’re proud of our airport sector. I can’t think of any industry we’d rather be in.

Cheers!

-Paul