Air service development should begin with an ________ of the airport and the regions' existing air services.

• A. Assessment
• B. Audit
• C. Inventory
• D. Analysis

Answer: (A)

Starting with an assessment means taking a thorough look at what is currently available in terms of air services at the airport and across the region. This involves cataloging routes, frequencies, carriers, aircraft types, passenger volumes, loads, yields, seasonal patterns, and any capacity constraints or service gaps. By compiling and evaluating this baseline information, you gain a clear picture of what exists, where performance is strong or weak, and where opportunities for improvement may lie. This foundation is essential for making informed decisions about new markets, service levels, partnerships, or investments.

An audit focuses on verifying records and compliance rather than building an actionable growth plan. An inventory is primarily a listing of items or services without evaluating how well they meet market needs. Analysis, while important, typically comes after the initial assessment to interpret data and forecast impacts. Starting with an assessment ensures you have accurate, comprehensive data to base subsequent planning on.