Harrisburg International Airport

Jamie Sides, Deputy Director of Maintenance at Harrisburg International Airport, brings extensive experience in aviation engineering, infrastructure planning and project management. He focuses on preventive maintenance, operational reliability and safety compliance, emphasizing planning, phased execution and efficient practices to minimize disruption across high-demand airport environments.

I have been around aviation my entire life. Growing up, my parents had an aviation-related business, so I was exposed to the industry early. That led me to pursue civil engineering at Virginia Tech, where I focused on airport design and construction. After graduating, I spent the first fifteen years of my career as an aviation consultant, starting from design and planning and moving into project management and oversight.

That background still shapes how I approach maintenance today. Understanding how infrastructure was built gives you a better sense of how it is going to react over time. A big part of maintenance is putting preventive programs in place, preplanning and doing things before they fail rather than reacting afterward.

A Proactive Approach to Airport Reliability

Reliability comes down to keeping up with maintenance and not letting things get behind. Even a short period where work is not happening can have a long-term impact. We saw that during the COVID timeframe when resources were limited and certain maintenance activities did not take place for 12 to 18 months. That kind of gap can create challenges later.

Staying ahead of potential failures is critical. I have seen cases where infrastructure did not receive proper maintenance for a long time, and bringing it back to standard became a major capital effort. When maintenance is consistent, those same systems can be maintained at a fraction of that cost on a yearly basis.

Parking infrastructure is a good example. It is one of the primary revenue sources for an airport, along with concessions. Taking even a portion of a parking facility offline can have a significant financial impact. That is why the goal is always to stay ahead of what could potentially fail and address it early.

For me, efficiency is closely tied to that approach. It is about keeping systems up to date, identifying risks early and making sure maintenance activities are pre-planned and executed before they affect operations.

Managing Operations without Disruption

Airports are high-demand environments, so every maintenance activity has to be planned around operations. Whether it is a parking structure or a runway, work needs to be phased and scheduled in a way that minimizes disruption.

For example, when working on a parking facility, the challenge is to keep as much of it open as possible while completing the required work. The same applies to runway maintenance. The work has to be planned in smaller time windows so that flight operations are not affected. That level of coordination and planning is essential.

”Maintenance is not about fixing what fails; it is about doing the work early so failure never happens.”

Another challenge is aging infrastructure. Many systems in use today were built decades ago, and one of the most important steps is understanding why something was designed the way it was. Going back through historical plans and documents helps provide that context. It allows us to build on what already exists instead of starting from scratch, which is often more efficient from both a cost and operational standpoint.

Prioritizing Safety and Compliance

All decisions are first based on safety. If a task cannot be done safely then we do not do it. That rule applies not just to maintenance teams but to everyone operating within the airport environment.

Compliance is equally important. All work has to meet federal, state and local regulations, and there is no flexibility around that. Preventive maintenance plays a key role in supporting compliance by ensuring that work is planned, scheduled and carried out according to required standards.

Planning ahead is a big part of that process. Most maintenance activities are scheduled six to twelve months in advance so that teams and stakeholders are prepared and work does not come as a surprise. Maintaining strong relationships with inspectors and regulatory agencies also helps keep everything aligned and ensures that expectations are clearly understood.

Using Technology to Improve Execution

Technology has made a significant difference in how maintenance operations are managed. Today, most tasks can be handled through digital systems, which has reduced the time between identifying an issue and starting work.

For example, work orders that previously could take days to process can now be generated and assigned in minutes. The right teams are notified immediately, allowing work to begin much faster.

Technology also provides visibility. I can see what teams are working on across multiple locations in real time, what is open, what has been completed and what is coming up. That level of visibility helps with prioritization and coordination, especially when managing operations across multiple airports.

GIS tools have also improved execution. If a runway light goes out, it can be identified and mapped with precise location data. Teams can arrive on site with the right equipment and complete the work without unnecessary delays. That reduces repeat trips and improves overall efficiency.

Preparing for Industry Challenges

In future, aging infrastructure will continue to be a major challenge. Many systems built in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are reaching the end of their useful life, and the industry will need solutions to either extend those systems or replace them in a costeffective way.

At the same time, factors like inflation make long-term planning more difficult. Cost fluctuations can impact how projects are planned and executed, which requires maintenance teams to stay adaptable and prioritize effectively.

The focus remains on keeping infrastructure operating reliably while balancing these challenges.

Learning through Shared Experience

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of reaching out to others in the industry. There is a large network of maintenance professionals, and most challenges are not unique to a single organization.

If you are dealing with a problem, there is a good chance someone else has faced the same issue and found a solution. Instead of trying to solve everything in isolation, there is real value in using those networks, sharing knowledge and learning from others who have already gone through similar situations.