Economic Impact of a Lightning Strike–Induced Outage of Air Traffic Control Tower

Abstract

This research investigates how lightning strike–induced outages of airport infrastructure and facilities affect airport performance from an economic perspective, using Baltimore (Maryland)–Washington (D.C.) Thurgood Marshall International (BWI) Airport as a case study. On September 12, 2013, lightning struck within 300 m of the air traffic control (ATC) tower at BWI, causing injury and ATC tower and airport closures. The study findings reveal that the economic losses of the outage-related delays from that single event were almost five times higher than the ATC tower refurbishment that was planned, but unimplemented, in support of lightning protection, grounding, bonding, and shielding (LPGBS). The aim of this research is to support FAA's mission to better understand and quantify consequences of lightning strike–induced outages on airport performance. The research methodology and results can assist FAA in making sound decisions in support of LPGBS, and thereby help protect the National Airspace System infrastructure from lightning strikes and extreme weather and related delays.