It was 2019, and Clint Torp had just started his new job as director of Operations at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in central Iowa. As the new kid on the block, Torp began familiarizing himself with the facility's operations and processes. And it didn't take long before he realized the data collection system DSM had in place wasn't providing enough data or the right data. As a self-professed 'data guy,' Torp knew straight away that he wanted to make some changes.
Space is at a premium for many airports, particularly those in North America. When it's time to grow, they are often expected to find creative ways to accommodate more flight operations in their existing footprints.
Wait times at TSA checkpoints have long been a wildcard for travelers, and the COVID pandemic has only exacerbated the unpredictability. In addition, it has heaped on the additional need to maintain proper social distancing while passengers wait in line.
Every time an aircraft lands on the runway at Hill Air Force Base (HIF) in northern Utah, a mountain of data is captured. More than 80 sensors collect information about pressure, temperature, moisture and other key factors for pavement engineers to parse and dissect. There are even wireless sensors shaped like pebbles mixed into the pavement that transmit data about pressure and slight movements within the pavement system. The goal of this project is to learn more about the way environmental factors and various aircraft affect runway pavements.
When an aircraft is involved in a crash, finding the 'black box' flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is imperative to subsequent investigations. If an accident takes place at a general aviation airport without a control tower, or when personnel are not on duty, it is much harder to analyze the communications and conditions that preceded the accident.
Stephen Maybury, president and chief executive officer of Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (YXE), aptly proclaimed 2020 a year of 'resilience and fortitude.' At the low point in April, passenger volume at YXE was off fully 98%, and it remained down 69% through year-end.
In a flash, the information that airports routinely collect about arrivals, departures, passenger counts, etc. has become more important than ever. Records detailing where each passenger originated, for instance, are crucial in light of COVID-19 travel restrictions and advisories.
Stroll through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and you might encounter a machine without an operator scrubbing the floors, a small cargo pod dutifully rolling behind an employee as if by magic, and any number of other tech-forward devices hard at work.
Nashville International Airport (BNA) has completed numerous brick-and-mortar improvements in recent years to keep pace with the region's booming economy and population growth. And now, BNA has an improved online presence as well.
With air traffic down dramatically and the future of the COVID-19 pandemic still uncertain, this has already been a trying year for the entire industry. Many airports are tackling the need for additional communication with employees and passengers by developing public awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of social distancing, stopping the spread and other key measures.
Flight information display systems (FIDS) are a passenger's lifeline. With all the crucial information travelers need to get to their gates on time, they're bound to create an impression on visitors. The real question is whether that impression is positive or negative.
For years, airport operators categorically derided drones as a safety risk and general nuisance. Now, many are putting them to work for security surveillance, wildlife management and other operation-enhancing purposes.
