The Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Advancing Environmental Sustainability at U.S. Airports

Abstract

As the aviation industry faces intensifying environmental, regulatory, and societal pressures, airports are increasingly expected to implement sustainability initiatives aligned with national and international frameworks such as NEPA, VALE, and CORSIA. However, progress across U.S. airports remains uneven, often constrained not only by technical or financial limitations but also by the quality of stakeholder engagement. This study applies Stakeholder Theory and the Stakeholder Salience Model to examine how stakeholder power, legitimacy, and urgency influence sustainability implementation in diverse airport contexts. Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, the research investigates the roles of federal regulators, airport operators, airlines, and local communities in shaping environmental outcomes. Preliminary findings suggest that stakeholder alignment is a critical determinant of success, with implications for policy design, infrastructure planning, and participatory governance. The study contributes a stakeholder-centered framework to better understand and improve sustainability performance in the U.S. airport sector.

Keywords: Airport Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, Environmental Sustainability Policy