Which action is part of airport supply chain risk management?

• A. Diversify suppliers
• B. Centralize to a single vendor
• C. Ignore vendor performance
• D. Delay contingency planning

Answer: (A)

Diversifying suppliers reduces dependence on any one source, which is essential for keeping airport operations resilient when disruptions occur. In an airport, many critical items and services—spare parts, aircraft maintenance materials, fuel supplies, IT equipment, security gear, and outsourced services—must flow reliably to avoid delays or safety risks. When multiple qualified suppliers are available, a disruption at one vendor won’t halt maintenance schedules or service delivery, because alternative sources can step in quickly. This redundancy also strengthens negotiating power and encourages better quality and reliability across the supply chain.

In contrast, centralizing to a single vendor creates a single point of failure; if that supplier encounters a disruption, the whole operation can be impacted. Ignoring vendor performance prevents you from addressing risks before they become problems, and delaying contingency planning leaves you unprepared to respond when disruptions occur. Diversification aligns with the goal of maintaining continuity and resilience in airport operations.