About the Workshop
42nd Annual Airport Law Workshop
For more than four decades, the Airport Law Workshop has set the standard for practical, accessible legal education in the airport industry. But what truly sets this conference apart isn’t just its longevity—it’s how it delivers value.
Unlike traditional legal conferences that lean heavily on theory or narrow topics, this workshop bridges the gap between foundational knowledge and real-world application. It’s the only program that combines a clear, comprehensive grounding in airport law with timely updates on emerging legal developments—all taught in plain English by the professionals who actively shape and enforce the rules.
You won’t just hear about airport law. You’ll understand how to use it.
The Airport Law Workshop is presented by Kaplan Kirsch LLP in partnership with American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).
A Learning Experience Built for Real-World Impact
The Airport Law Workshop is intentionally structured to meet you where you are—whether you’re new to airport law or navigating complex regulatory challenges every day.
- Dual-track sessions allow you to choose between foundational topics and advanced “hot topic” discussions
- Interactive, classroom-style learning encourages questions, discussion, and practical problem-solving
- Expert-led instruction from attorneys at federal agencies like DOT, FAA, and TSA, alongside seasoned industry practitioners
- Plain-English presentations for both legal and non-legal professionals
The result? A learning experience that’s not just informative—but immediately useful.
What’s Included with Your Registration
Your registration is designed to deliver lasting value well beyond the event itself:
- Airport Law Desk Reference — a comprehensive, annually updated resource attendees rely on year-round
- Full access to download all session materials
- In-person networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders, and government officials
- Certificate of participation to support continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation
- It is the responsibility of each attendee to file the appropriate paperwork with their state bar(s) for continuing legal education.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is built for a broad cross-section of aviation professionals, including:
- Airport attorneys (both new and experienced)
- Airport directors, managers, and administrators
- Professionals in operations, planning, finance, environmental compliance, and security
- Airport tenants, commissioners, and board members
- Anyone responsible for understanding or applying airport-related regulations
No legal background? No problem. The content is designed to be accessible and actionable for non-lawyers.
Welcome Remarks
Session 1: Why is Airport Law Weird?
A review of the history of airports and airport law.
Session 2: Federal Law Affecting Airports (and then there is Florida)
A review of the federal laws and regulations that govern airports, including environmental, civil rights, and intellectual property, and the role of state laws.
Session 3: Basics of Revenue Use and Diversion
This session will discuss federal requirements regarding revenue use and revenue diversion
Session 4: Lunch-Time Discussion – In-House Attorneys Advising Airports
This session is a lunch-time discussion about being an in-house attorney advising an airport, including recruiting and mentoring new lawyers who are interested in doing airport work.
Session 5: Use and Lease Agreements and an Airport's Rights as an Owner
The session will discuss the structure and contents of airline use and lease agreements, including an airport's proprietor's rights. We will also touch on rates and charges.
Session 6: Land Use Regulation for Airports
This session will discuss the basics of land use regulation at airports, including Airport Layout Plans and master planning. Italso will address aeronautical and non-aeronautical development and the role of the FAA in approving land use.
Session 8: Current State of Environmental Law
This session will address the current requirements under federal environmental law, including statutory, regulatory, and caselaw changes. We also will discuss NEPA and changes to the NEPA process for airports.
Welcome Reception
Session 7: Real Estate Development at Airports
Many airports have land that can be developed mixed and non-aeronautical uses, providing revenue for the airport and economic activity for the community. This session will discuss approaches for aeronautical development, including lease agreements, public-private partnerships, and master development agreements. We also will discuss developments that have both non-aeronautical and aeronautical uses.
Session 9: Advising Airport Boards: Herding Cats and Battling Mosquitoes
Ethics - Airport attorneys often work with other government entities and their own governing entities, including mayors and city councils, and airport authority boards. This session will discuss the varying roles of those entities and the ethical rules that apply to lawyers.
Session 10: Minimum Standards and Rules and Regulations
This session will discuss the use of Minimum Standards and Rules and Regulations as governance and contract tools.
Session 12: Grant Agreements and Grant Assurances: Fundamentals and Latest Updates
This session will review the current grant agreements including changes made during 2025 and 2026, the impact of litigation, and updates to the FAA's interpretation of grant assurances.
Session 14: Procurement and Contract Requirements
This session will provide an overview of the federal procurement requirements and the FAA's model contract provisions, including the 2026 changes, for both federally funded and sponsor-funded projects.
Session 15: Options for Funding Your Airport Capital Project
Funding your capital project. This session will address the various options to fund airport projects and ways to combine them to fund one or a group of capital projects. These sources include airport funds and bonds, FAA funding, TIFIA loans, state and congressional earmarks, private investment, and tenant investment.
Session 16: Bankrupt Tenants and Corporate Acquisitions (The Spirit Session)
Secured transactions, bankrupt tenants, and corporate acquisitions. This session will provide a primer on secured transactions such as leasehold mortgages, bankruptcy and corporate transactions, and then discuss how these issues impact both general aviation and commercial service airports.
Session 11: Latest Regulatory Updates and Developments
Regulatory update.
Session 17: Innovative Technologies at Airports and a Field Trip to See a Waymo
Airports now must integrate new technology, including autonomous cars and shuttles, and AI-based systems into the airport environment. In this session, we will discuss some experiences working with autonomous vehicles and innovative airfield technology.
Session 20: You Need Power. How to Get It.
This session will discuss how to meet your airport's energy needs, including negotiating with power companies, solar energy for your use and investment, and other innovative energy options
Session 18: First Amendment Impacts on Airports
First Amendment in the airport context. This session will discuss how the First Amendment impacts airports, including policies related to advertising and managing free speech issues such as protests.
Session 19: Airport Security Requirements and Alternatives
This session will address the requirements for airport security and, for airports with TSA, those requirements and private alternatives.
Closing Remarks
Date + Location
October 5–7, 2026 · Phoenix, Arizona
Hotel room and the Workshop are being held at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, located at 340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Attendees will receive a special rate of $299/night for a single/double occupancy, exclusive of applicable room taxes. The last day to receive this discounted rate is Friday, September 14, 2026.
Rooms may sell out before this date, be sure to make your reservations early! Reservations made after the cut-off date can only be honored on a space available basis at the hotel’s prevailing rates.
Last Year’s Workshop
Want a preview of the depth and breadth of topics covered at the Airport Law Workshop? Review the 2025 agenda to explore past sessions, featured legal issues, and the practical insights attendees gained from industry-leading instructors.