Brisbane Airport and Queensland University of Technology have launched a world-first international research project into the relationship between airports and surrounding communities.

The $3.8 million study - which also involves the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in the US and the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands - will look at the effect airports have on surrounding urban areas, including the push to develop airport land for non-aviation uses.

The researchers hope it will be used to develop airport policies in Australia and overseas.

Brisbane Airport chief executive Koen Rooijmans said the reinvention of major gateway airports around the world had significant effects in terms of employment and economic growth.

Brisbane expects to grow from 11,000 workers to more than 40,000 over the next two decades as it blends traditional aviation activities with other uses such as hospitality, entertainment sport and retail.

"Just as coastal and river ports and railway towns have driven urban growth in previous centuries, the 21st century is emerging as the aviation era," Mr Rooijmans said, noting Los Angeles Airport had $US61 billion ($81 billion) of regional activity.

"Airports are no longer simply places where people catch planes and cargo is moved, and their impact on a region's economy is significant and far-reaching. This research is about measuring and understanding that impact and ensuring all Australian cities and regional centres are in a better position to maximise the economic and job growth that their airports can deliver."

News of the study came as Sydney Airport announced on October 19 that rising revenues from retail, property development and commercial areas such as parking had underpinned a 7.9 per cent rise in first-quarter earnings.

Southern Cross Airport Holdings announced an unaudited consolidated profit (before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) of $137 million, on a 6 per cent rise in revenues to $170.3 million, compared to last year's first quarter. Operating expenses fell by 1.5 per cent to $24.5million after the Government increased funding to counter terrorist first-response security costs. Excluding recoverable security costs and one-offs, costs rose by 2.8 per cent to $24.5 million. (Australian dollar is the currency used in this report unless otherwise stated)