The environment in which organizations operate today is very complex and dynamic, involving many players and many interests, which change frequently.    These characteristics and behaviors demand special attention from organizations, which must develop skills of building complex systems of cooperation and relations while identifying and responding quickly to the changing environment.

Today, airport authorities in the western world are increasingly aware of the effects that an operating airport has on its environment, and recognize the need to work together with all the elements around them, in order to maximize the mutual benefits deriving from good neighborly relations.

Airport authorities are now working to develop reciprocal, cooperative relations with those around them, with the aim of maximizing the advantages for all parties.  During this process, the participants develop a “language” and codes which are understood both by the residents, businesses and organizations that make up the “environment” , and along the backbone of management and staff of the organization that manages the airport.

During 2002 the Director General of the IAA began to lead a process of establishing and maintaining community relations with the Authority’s surroundings. A series of “trust building” steps were taken, starting with individual meetings with “stakeholders”, and continuing with the establishment of a forum for dialog and cooperation between the Airports Authority and the community.  At the same time, progress was made with previous obligations, such as the acoustic protection for educational institutions with the assistance of the Acoustic Protection Authority.

In 2002, the Director General of the Airports Authority called a meeting of heads of local authorities in which he presented his concept of the subject of dialog and cooperation.  Further to this meeting, the Director General visited each of the local authorities that are within the range of aircraft noise, and the main topics on the joint agenda were defined.