Airport emergency management: The art of strict rules and flexible minds

For businesses large and small, the world over, maintaining operational continuity is an economic imperative. This paper suggests that airports provide a good case study from which to learn, due to their emergency-oriented nature; their nonstop tango with disruptions of many origins; their experience in moving from crisis to normal operations as quickly as possible; and because of their multifaceted functions and stakeholders. With this in mind, the article illustrates how the various challenges faced by airport operators align with those faced by businesses more generally. The paper argues that the best way to respond to incidents in a quick and appropriate manner is by developing processes and procedures informed by best practices, innovations and accumulated expertise.