Bridging academia and practice in airport design

How do airport masterplans respond to growing passenger demand? How can terminals evolve while maintaining operational continuity? And what role will infrastructure planning play in shaping the future of air transport?

These were among the topics explored through a recent exchange between Oneworks and the Aeronautical Engineering programme at Politecnico di Milano. 

The collaboration began in March, when members of Oneworks’ expert aviation team were invited to contribute to the university’s “Passion in Action: Airport Design and Dimensioning” lecture series. During the session, students were introduced to the multidisciplinary nature of airport design through examples drawn from Oneworks’ international experience in the aviation sector. 

The lecture covered a broad range of themes, including airport masterplanning, terminal configuration, airside infrastructure design, intermodal integration, traffic forecasting, and strategies to ensure continuity of airport operations throughout construction phases. 

The dialogue continued in May, when Oneworks welcomed Professor Alberto Servienti and a group of Aeronautical Engineering students to its Milan headquarters. The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen the connection between academic learning and professional practice through discussions on contemporary challenges in airport planning and design. Professor Servienti delivered a lecture focusing on national airport planning, including insights into ENAC‘s recently presented Italian National Airport Plan (PNA) 2026–2035. Additional topics included airside design, baggage handling systems, and international case studies illustrating the evolving complexity of airport infrastructure.

The initiative offered students the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals while creating a valuable moment of knowledge sharing across the practice. It also provided colleagues from outside the aviation sector with further insight into the multidisciplinary nature of airport planning and design. 

Oneworks would like to thank Professor Alberto Servienti, Politecnico di Milano, and all participating students for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and contribution to the discussion. Supporting the next generation of aviation professionals remains an important part of advancing the future of the industry.