Investing in the Future of Aviation
Van Espahbodi is a partner and co-founder of Starburst Accelerator, a business development, a startup incubator dedicated to technology in aerospace where leaders gather to decide the future of aviation.
In this episode, we talk with Van about what it takes to invest in an aviation startup and what startups are shaking things up. We go past talking about the next "Uber of..." and into what it means to push the barriers in aviation, despite heavy regulations. Van also gives out his advice on how to shake up the industry. As well as, speaks to students and young professionals about potential ways to get involved and make the most impact.
For more information about Van and Starburst Accelerator, check out the links below:
Twitter - Van Espahbodi: twitter.com/vdadmahi
Twitter - Starburst Accelerator: twitter.com/starburstinnov
Website - Starburst Accelerator: starburstaccelerator.com/
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.
Digital Issue:
Connect
Publisher's Blog
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Industry Insider
Project Nominations
Know of a project that should be covered in a future issue of Airport Improvement?
Artscapes
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Airport Industry Headlines
- STL Holds Its First Industry Day Event
- RAA Issues First Quarter 2024 Workforce Report
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport Announces New Food Truck Program With a Local Twist
- MIA hosts rehearsal tour for future travelers with special needs
- HDOT LAUNCHES AUTONOMOUS ELECTRIC SHUTTLE AT DANIEL K. INOUYE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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Airside Projects
- New Apron Lighting Resolves Glaring Issues at Dallas Love Field
- Florida’s Statewide Markings Program Evolves
- Lincoln Airport Takes Creative Route to Adding New Leisure Service
- New Taxiway at Myrtle Beach Int’l Improves Airfield Safety, Frees Space for Terminal Expansion
- Tampa Int’l Plots New Course to Enhance Airfield Safety
Baggage Projects
- Rapidly Growing Volume of Oversized Baggage Prompts System Redesign at Salt Lake City Int’l
- Columbia Metropolitan Upgrades Baggage System and Ticketing Lobby
- Long Beach Airport Adds Permanent Checked Baggage Inspection System and Improves Ticketing Building
- New Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor Features Advanced Baggage Handling System
- New Baggage System at Orlando Int’l Features Individual Totes and Upper-Level Claim Area
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Cargo Projects
- Spokane Int’l Builds Rail-Truck Facility on Surplus Land
- Halifax Stanfield Builds Cargo Park With Cold Chain Capabilities
- Extensive Cargo Growth at Cincinnati Int’l Boosts Revenues, Diversifies Business Base
- FedEx Expands at Ontario Int’l to Support Growing E-Commerce Demand
- Winnipeg Int’l Adds Multiuse Facility to Enhance Cargo Operations
Concessions/Retail Projects
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Emergency Operations Projects
- Decatur Airport Builds New Facility for Firefighting and Maintenance Teams
- Naples Airport Recovers After Hurricane Ian’s Saltwater Storm Surge
- Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
- Hybrid Fire Station at San José Int’l Provides Emergency Services for Airport and Surrounding Area
- New Facility at Coastal Carolina Regional Consolidates ARFF Ops, Boosts Efficiency
Environment/Sustainability Projects
- Toronto City Airport Leads the Move to Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam
- New Noise Technology System at Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Earns Patent
- Martha’s Vineyard Airport Tests Underground Filtration for PFAS Contamination
- Santa Maria Airport Takes Common Sense Approach to PFAS Testing
- Philadelphia Int’l Follows Envision Program for Major Taxiway Rehab
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Fuel Operations Projects
General Aviation Projects
Ground Support Projects
- Montgomery Regional Leaps Into the Future With Electric Aircraft Chargers
- Exterior Jet Bridge Coating Saves Energy, Increases Passenger Comfort at Harry Reid Int’l
- O’Hare Moves Aircraft Deicing From Gates to High-Tech Centralized Facility
- Ground Power Upgrades in the Works at Newark Int’l
- Long Beach Airport & Airline Partners Phase Out Fossil Fuels for Ground Support Equipment
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Hangar Projects
IT/Communications Projects
- Website Platform Helps Airports Attract More Customers
- Virtual Ramp System at Kansas City Int’l Provides 360-Degree View of Airfield
- Interactive Web Page Offers Planning Tools for Memphis Int’l Travelers
- Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Invests in Data Management Upgrade
- Philadelphia Int’l is Updating - and Monetizing - Its Information Technology Network
Landside Development Projects
Operations Projects
- Terminal Expansion at Kansas City Int’l Prompts New Snow Removal Strategy and Equipment
- New Glycol Recycling Facility at Syracuse Hancock Int’l Produces Deicing Fluid Certified for Reuse
- Drones and Virtual Reality Speed Control Tower Siting at Boulder City Municipal
- St. Louis Int’l Looks to Future With Master Plan Projects to Consolidated Terminals
- Sweet Charity: Airports Large and Small Open Their Facilities to Support Local Fundraisers
Parking Projects
- Sarasota-Bradenton Int’l Adds New Cellphone Lot With Improved Amenities
- Flagstaff Pulliam Implements Paid Parking Program
- New 7-Level Garage Increases Parking Capacity and Convenience for Customers
- Regina Int’l Optimizes Parking with 24/7 Call Center and On-site Customer Service Reps
- Canyonlands Regional Upgrades its Parking Payment/Collections System
Passenger Transport Projects
- Plane Train Extension is on Track for 2025 Delivery at Atlanta Int’l
- “Wingless Travel” Takes Flight at Regional Airports
- Inductive Charging for Electric Shuttles
- Winnipeg Int’l Launches Self-Driving Wheelchair Service
- Long-Awaited Rail Extension Is Just the Ticket to Spur Growth at Washington Dulles
Runway/Ramp Projects
- Vancouver Int’l Turns Untimely Winter Storms Into Opportunity for Improvement
- Airports Apply Heavy Surface Treatment to Increase Service Life of Asphalt Runways
- Round-the-Clock Work Helps Cheyenne Regional Finish Paving Project On Time
- Finish Line in Sight at St. Louis Lambert Int’l
- Pangborn Memorial Readies for Bigger, Greener Future With Apron Expansion
Security Projects
- Automated Exit Safeguards and Welcomes Passengers Arriving at Oakland Int’l
- Miami Int’l Tests Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Deterrence Technologies
- New Terminal Connector/TSA Checkpoint Eliminates Passenger Flow Problems at Lehigh Valley Int’l
- Philadelphia Int’l Installs Biometric Facial Recognition at 25 Gates
- Miami Int’l Serves as TSA Test Site for Technologies to Help Detect Drones
Terminal Projects
- Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
- Massive Restroom Renovations in Progress at Miami Int’l
- Waco Regional Uses CARES Act Funds for Terminal Renovation Project
- New Terminal Connector Improves Passenger Accessibility at Los Angeles Int’l
- Watertown Regional Builds Old-School Charm Into New Terminal
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