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"One of the Seven Questions You Needs to
Ask"
Asif, a member of the procurement team voiced the question: The answer, the girls and boys sitting round the table, after robust debate decided upon is that an airport is a development consisting of runways for aeroplanes to land and take-off, taxiing routes, aircraft stands and air-bridges; an all-important control tower; an array of buildings housing fundamental needs such as check-in desks, customs geared to unearthing contraband, which could be anything from animals to drugs to armaments; passport control; food courts, restaurants and lounges, the facilities provided for passengers; administration offices, workshops, aircraft hangers, and so on, building after building.
Following the aforementioned debate and the subsequent response, the gathering determined they were not happy with the answer, an answer, they labelled ambiguous. Questions abounded, minor disagreements unfolded, until the debate was halted to be re-convened within three days. The seven participants were asked to go away and return with one written question each pertaining to Facilities Management and Aviation. They were informed that each question must start with "HOW".
A vibrant discussion ensued that took an age to pass beyond the maintenance and repair activities associated with runways, taxiways, aprons, airfield areas, the danger of birds, fencing, ground lighting systems, service roads, parking areas and ramps, hangars and security. Security was highlighted following the arrest of aeroplane watches in the UAE, Fujairah airport to be exact.
The debate, vociferous and exploratory considered performance evaluation, assignment of work, scheduling and training; the inspections of the various constituents and the necessary tools equipment and vehicles required to fulfil responsibilities. Qualifications, whether professional or not, and the experience of the responsible people was also explored.
To the fore was one word; “co-ordination”. How and who coordinates was challenged over and over. The challenge of co-ordination revolved around the maintenance and repair activities and operational disruptions. Eventually an agreement was reached that the need is probably not relative to Facilities Management but sits with an airport operations specialist conversant in the many regulations promulgated by the Civil Aviation Authority, National and International Codes of Practice and local authorities. So, back to the question: How many services are associated with airport facility management?
The participants listed mechanical, electrical and plumbing, cleaning, pest control, logistics, internal and external landscaping, waste management, luggage conveyors, carousels, signage, information technology, wheelchairs and stretchers, minor project works, painting programmes and so forth, and so forth.
However, the debate suddenly and inexplicitly switched to hanger maintenance and the need for scaffolding and high level working platforms required when aeroplanes are under maintenance. Consequently, the gathering, utterly immersed in exploring the demands of hanger maintenance, was brought back to the question in hand. With time running out Question 1 was put on hold until the next session.
Last week Tafawuq FM introduced its “scrutiny” serialisation on Aviation and Facilities Management, in doing so Landside and Airside were briefly analysed by Tafawuq’s own employees, their thoughts scripted and published for comment. Hereunder, the “scrutiny” continues:
AVIATION AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT THE AIRPORT
What is an airport?
Question 1: "How many services are associated with airport facility management?"
[email protected], www.tafawuq.ae
