Aviation Infrastructure
In aviation, infrastructure, both airside and landside, must keep up with mounting pressures brought on by constant movement, increasing activity, technological advancements and evolving operational needs.
Why Aviation Infrastructure Matters
Airport operations, at their core, depend on the reliability of the infrastructure. Airfield paving, ground operations and landside systems underpin every aircraft arrival and departure. Aviation infrastructure is central to operational safety, efficiency and long-term growth.
Well-planned infrastructure supports the airport ecosystem at every level — enabling safe flight operations, efficient passenger movement and dependable day-to-day functions.
The Burns & McDonnell Advantage
We provide a full spectrum of design, construction and program management services tailored to airports and aviation clients of all sizes. From major hub airports to regional facilities, our multidisciplinary team delivers integrated solutions that reduce disruption, align with project schedules and support infrastructure development. We work as part of your team — contributing to planning, design and construction while keeping airport operations on track.
Airfield Lighting & NAVAIDS
Our airfield design teams support the entire flightline — developing electrical systems for signage, approach lighting, and runway, taxiway and apron lighting. These systems are critical for safe operations at night and during inclement weather. Our team has a deep understanding of navigational aids (NAVAIDS), lighting control systems and radar/radio communication systems, applying Federal Aviation Administration requirements while aligning with the priorities of airport stakeholders.
Airside Services
We support airside paving construction and maintenance with a combination of material knowledge and field data analysis. Runways, taxiways and aprons endure frequent, high-impact loading from aircraft operations. To maintain long-term performance and durability, these surfaces must be constructed and rehabilitated with precision. Pavement management systems and mobile data tools help prioritize repairs, rehabilitation and life cycle planning. Our approach accounts for whole-life costing and operational demands, backed by detailed analysis and on-site coordination.
Airport Electrification
Electrification of ground support equipment (GSE) continues to grow in importance across airport operations. As carbon reduction goals expand and technology advances, airports are accelerating investment in charging infrastructure and system upgrades. We plan and design GSE charging systems, assess grid capacity, and coordinate civil and electrical improvements. We help keep landside services operational, effective and efficient — from conducting and implementing traffic studies and utility coordination to designing and delivering storm drainage and perimeter security systems.
Landside Services
Our services extend to landside systems, including traffic studies, utility coordination, storm drainage and perimeter security. As airports experience increasing landside traffic and changing passenger expectations, infrastructure upgrades must support accessibility, safety and flexibility. Each system is reviewed for constructability and performance, and integrated with broader airport operations to support reliability, adaptability and the passenger journey over time.
