7 Best-Selling Airport Engineering Books Millions Love

Experts Norman J. Ashford, Richard de Neufville, and Jeffrey Price endorse these best-selling Airport Engineering Books packed with practical insights.

Updated on June 24, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love — especially in a complex field like Airport Engineering. These 7 best-selling books have earned their reputation by offering solid, proven frameworks that professionals rely on to tackle airport planning, design, operations, and development challenges. Airport Engineering remains a critical discipline as airports evolve to meet growing global demands and emerging technologies.

Experts like Norman J. Ashford, who has consulted on over 100 international airports, and Richard de Neufville, recipient of aviation education awards, have helped bring these works to widespread attention. Their recommendations reflect books that blend academic rigor with practical experience — guiding readers from design to real-world airport management.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Airport Engineering needs might consider creating a personalized Airport Engineering book that combines these validated approaches. Tailored books can focus on your background, skill level, and goals, making study more efficient and relevant.

Best for airport infrastructure designers
Robert Horonjeff was an internationally known consultant on airport design, bringing decades of hands-on experience to this work. Alongside Francis McKelvey, Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University, William Sproule of Michigan Tech, and Seth Young from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the authors combine academic insight with practical expertise. Their collective backgrounds provide a well-rounded perspective on airport engineering challenges, making this book an authoritative resource for those designing and managing airport infrastructure.
Planning and Design of Airports, Fifth Edition book cover

by Robert M. Horonjeff, Francis X. McKelvey, William J. Sproule, Seth Young··You?

2010·688 pages·Airport Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Air Traffic Management, Airport Planning, Pavement Design

Robert Horonjeff's extensive experience as an international airport design consultant, combined with the academic expertise of co-authors Francis McKelvey, William Sproule, and Seth Young, grounds this text in both practical and theoretical knowledge. You’ll find detailed guidance on planning and engineering airport facilities, from airfield geometry and pavement design to passenger processing technologies and environmental considerations. The book also covers regulatory standards from the FAA and ICAO, making it a solid reference for those involved in the complex logistics of airport infrastructure. Whether you're involved in design, operations, or policy, this edition offers concrete frameworks such as runway length estimation and airside capacity analysis that you can apply directly.

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Best for international airport planners
Norman J. Ashford, Professor Emeritus at Loughborough University and aviation consultant with projects spanning over 100 airports in more than forty countries, brings unparalleled expertise to this work. His extensive background in academia and industry informs this book’s authoritative approach to airport engineering. Ashford’s experience ensures that the content addresses both foundational principles and the evolving demands of 21st-century airport development, making it a substantial resource for anyone engaged in airport planning and design.
Airport Engineering: Planning, Design and Development of 21st Century Airports book cover

by Norman J. Ashford, Saleh Mumayiz, Paul H. Wright··You?

2011·768 pages·Airport Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Airport Planning, Airport Design, International Aviation

The proven track record that speaks for itself lies within this book, authored by aviation expert Norman J. Ashford and his colleagues. Ashford's decades of experience teaching at top universities and consulting on over 100 airports worldwide give this book unmatched authority. You’ll gain detailed insights into airport planning, design, and development, with a unique emphasis on international standards like those from ICAO. The book balances fundamental engineering principles with global trends, such as the shift in airport construction from the US to overseas markets, making it especially useful if you’re involved in international airport projects or policy planning.

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Best for custom planning guides
This AI-created book on airport engineering is tailored specifically to your background and goals. By sharing your experience and the sub-topics you want to focus on, you receive a personalized guide that dives into the aspects of airport planning and design most relevant to you. This focused approach helps you navigate the complexities of airport infrastructure with clarity and relevance, making your learning experience efficient and deeply connected to your needs.
2025·50-300 pages·Airport Engineering, Airport Planning, Airfield Design, Terminal Layouts, Capacity Forecasting

This tailored book explores the intricate field of airport planning and design, offering a personalized journey through the core aspects of airport engineering. It examines essential topics such as airfield layout, terminal design, and capacity forecasting, all adapted to match your background and specific goals. By focusing on your interests, it reveals critical considerations for efficient airport operation and sustainable development. Through a blend of widely validated knowledge and your unique objectives, this book uncovers practical examples and design principles that guide you step-by-step in understanding airport infrastructure complexities. The personalized content provides a clear, engaging path to mastering vital concepts behind successful airport planning and design.

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Airport Infrastructure
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Best for operational airport managers
Dr. Richard de Neufville brings over 40 years of experience in engineering systems analysis and airport planning to this updated edition. Recognized with the Francis X. McKelvey award for Aviation and the FAA award for Excellence in Education, his authoritative voice shapes the book’s comprehensive approach. This background ensures readers access to proven methods and insights that address both the technical and managerial challenges airports face today.
Airport Systems, Second Edition: Planning, Design and Management book cover

by Richard L. de Neufville, Amedeo R. Odoni, Peter Belobaba, Tom G. Reynolds··You?

2013·816 pages·Airport Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Airport Planning, Airport Management, Air Traffic Control

Millions have turned to this book because it offers a rare blend of technical depth and practical insight into airport planning and management. Dr. Richard L. de Neufville, with over four decades of expertise in engineering systems analysis, leads a team of authors who methodically walk you through how evolving aviation technologies and industry shifts reshape airport design. You’ll gain detailed perspectives on everything from air traffic control innovations to environmental regulations, with chapters like the one on dynamic strategic planning providing frameworks to adapt airports amid constant change. This book is ideal if you’re involved in airport operations, engineering, or policy and want grounded strategies rather than theory alone.

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Jeffrey C. Price, professor in Aviation and Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State College of Denver, brings over 20 years of hands-on experience to this book. Having developed initial airfield training programs and served in key airport management roles, Price channels his expertise into practical guidance for airport operations, safety, and emergency management. His work with the American Association of Airport Executives and leadership in certification programs uniquely position him to address the evolving complexities airports face today and in the future.
2016·630 pages·Airport Engineering, Operations Management, Safety Management, Emergency Management, Airside Operations

Drawing from over two decades as an airport operations expert and educator, Jeffrey Price offers an in-depth examination of airport safety, operations, and emergency management. You gain practical insights into managing complex airport environments, such as airside and landside operations, safety management systems, and evolving emergency response protocols. The book’s three-part structure—covering safety, operational processes, and emergency preparedness—equips you with protocols to handle current challenges and anticipate future ones, like unmanned aerial vehicles and spaceport integration. This resource suits airport operations managers and students aiming to deepen their understanding of airport facility management beyond aviation mechanics or piloting.

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Best for regional development strategists
Airport-Centric Development offers a focused look at the growing trend of leveraging airports as central engines for regional economic growth. This book outlines strategic initiatives by airport operators, governments, and developers to transform airports into hubs that support businesses relying on quick goods and passenger movement. By detailing the aerotropolis concept and capacity considerations, it addresses key challenges and opportunities in airport-centric urban and economic planning. Whether you're involved in transportation infrastructure or regional development, this work provides insights into maximizing airport impact beyond traditional engineering concerns.
2013·124 pages·Airport Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Airport Development, Urban Planning, Economic Growth

After analyzing various case studies and development patterns, Joaquin Romero developed a focused exploration of how airports serve as pivotal economic hubs beyond mere transportation nodes. You learn the key factors and strategic actions that airport operators and local governments take to foster surrounding regional growth through airport-centric development. The book delves into concepts like the aerotropolis model, examining how businesses leverage airport proximity for logistical advantage and marketing. If you're involved in airport planning, regional development, or transportation infrastructure, this book provides a targeted examination of how airports integrate with economic strategies and capacity planning.

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Best for rapid operations plans
This AI-created book on airport operations is tailored to your skill level and specific goals. It focuses on fast-tracking your understanding by addressing the operational challenges you find most relevant. By customizing the content to your background and interests, it helps you learn exactly what you need to improve airport functionality without wading through unrelated material. This personalized approach makes mastering airport operations management clearer and more efficient.
2025·50-300 pages·Airport Engineering, Airport Operations, Resource Management, Passenger Flow, Safety Procedures

This tailored book explores the essentials of improving airport operations through step-by-step actionable plans designed around your background and goals. It covers core operational areas such as resource management, passenger flow optimization, safety procedures, and emergency readiness, all matched to your experience level. By focusing on your specific interests, it reveals practical approaches to streamline day-to-day airport functions and address common challenges rapidly. With a personalized approach, this book helps you grasp the nuances of airport operations management, enabling you to make informed decisions and implement improvements efficiently. The content combines widely validated knowledge with insights tailored to your unique context, enhancing your learning journey.

Tailored Guide
Operational Efficiency
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for slot management specialists
Slot-Controlled Airports offers a detailed exploration of how slot allocations govern airline operations at some of the busiest U.S. airports, notably Reagan National and New York City area airports. This book addresses the ongoing challenge of managing congestion while maintaining competition and capacity within airport engineering. It delves into the impact of congressional flight authorizations and FAA slot control policies, supported by statistical models and expert interviews. Those engaged in airport planning, regulatory oversight, or aviation management will find this examination relevant to understanding slot control's role in optimizing airport functionality.
2013·115 pages·Airport Engineering, Transportation Infrastructure, Capacity Management, Slot Allocation, Airline Operations

Owen M. Whitaker's decades of experience in transportation infrastructure shine through in this focused examination of slot-controlled airports, particularly in the congested airspace around Washington and New York City. You gain insight into how slot allocations regulate airline takeoffs and landings, balancing congestion, capacity, and competition, with detailed analysis of beyond-perimeter flight authorizations and their financial implications for airport authorities. The book also unpacks FAA slot control policies through interviews and statistical modeling, offering a nuanced understanding of operational constraints and market dynamics. If you're involved in airport management or aviation policy, this book provides a clear-eyed look at the complexities of slot controls and their real-world effects.

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Best for civil engineering project managers
Hong Kong International Airport: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers (Pt. 1) stands out by documenting the intricate process of developing one of the world's major airports on reclaimed land. This special issue details the project’s planning, management, and civil engineering design, offering a clear window into the challenges and solutions of such a massive endeavor. Its focused approach benefits engineers and planners involved in transportation infrastructure by providing a case study of effective project procurement and construction strategies. The book’s practical insights make it a valuable reference for those involved in airport engineering and related fields.
1998·54 pages·Airport Engineering, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Construction, Procurement

The Institution of Civil Engineers brings together detailed accounts of the planning, management, and construction of Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport, which opened in 1998. This collection reveals the complexities of building an airport on reclaimed land, offering insights into civil engineering design and project procurement. You'll find value in chapters that explore the logistical challenges and innovative solutions that marked this massive infrastructure project. If you work in large-scale transportation infrastructure or have an interest in airport development from an engineering perspective, this book provides a focused, technical snapshot of a landmark project.

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Conclusion

These 7 books collectively highlight key themes in Airport Engineering: robust design principles, operational excellence, and strategic development. If you prefer proven methods grounded in decades of practice, start with "Planning and Design of Airports, Fifth Edition" and "Airport Engineering" by Norman J. Ashford. For validated operational and safety approaches, combine insights from "Airport Systems, Second Edition" with Jeffrey Price's work on airport operations and emergency management.

For those focused on airport growth and regulatory complexities, "Airport-Centric Development" and "Slot-Controlled Airports" offer targeted expertise. Meanwhile, the detailed civil engineering perspective in "Hong Kong International Airport" sheds light on large-scale project challenges.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Airport Engineering book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in navigating the multifaceted world of Airport Engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Planning and Design of Airports, Fifth Edition" for a solid foundation in airport infrastructure design. It offers practical frameworks that apply across many airport engineering roles.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Airport Engineering?

Not at all. While some books dive deep, titles like "Airport Engineering" by Norman J. Ashford balance fundamentals with real-world examples, making them accessible to newcomers.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational planning and design books, then progress to operational and specialized topics like slot control and emergency management for a comprehensive understanding.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your focus area. For design, choose Horonjeff’s book; for operations, de Neufville’s work is ideal. Combining complementary titles enhances your expertise.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Airport Systems, Second Edition" and "Practical Airport Operations" emphasize practical application, while "Airport-Centric Development" explores strategic theory and urban planning concepts.

Can I get tailored Airport Engineering insights without reading multiple full books?

Yes! While these expert books offer valuable insights, you can create a personalized Airport Engineering book that blends proven approaches with your specific goals and experience for focused learning.

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