Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is changing the way people and goods travel through its facilities. A multiphase effort to address its changing operational needs began with an airport redevelopment program that focused on passenger flow, and a $5.6 million Central Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) that opened last August.
Widespread uncertainty was understandable given the unprecedented circumstances presented by the global pandemic. But passenger forecasts impact nearly every area of operations, from parking lot closures and law enforcement schedules to concession hours and capital improvement projects. So Kenneth Strickland pressed on for clearer answers.
Until recently, the common-use gates at Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) were a bit like Wichita's version of the Wild West. The system worked fine when gates were, in fact, open. But when two different airlines wanted to use the same gate, there was no clear way of deciding which had priority.
To-do lists at Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are no longer paperwork manila files, sticky notes or even email threads. Instead, maintenance tasks and work orders are managed in a sophisticated software program that tracks all aspects of general operations, from airfield and landside to terminal/facilities and information technology.
As airports across North America feel the squeeze of a tight labor pool, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) recently unveiled an appealing perk to help attract and retain employees. In September, a daycare center inside its landside terminal opened under the management of nationwide chain La Petite Academy.
When Salt Lake City International (SLC) opened the first phase of its $4.1 billion redevelopment program to passengers in mid-September, airport officials understood the importance of making the most of that investment. So they took the uncommon opportunity of having a fresh, new facility to simultaneously implement a fresh, new approach to asset management.
When COVID-19 first began lashing the United States last winter, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) initiated a multimillion-dollar response effort within weeks. As early as January 2020, the airport increased its cleaning/disinfecting frequency and rolled out strategies and procedures specifically designed to address the emerging global health crisis.
Memphis International Airport (MEM) recently addressed several separate, but related, facility issues in one deft move. By constructing a new nerve center for operations and maintenance, the Tennessee airport not only substantially increased its own efficiency, it also accommodated the expansion needs of its largest tenant, FedEx.
Leadership decided to parlay the organization's experience operating and managing Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG), Canada's seventh busiest airport for passenger traffic and the busiest for air cargo, into a consulting firm for other Canadian airports. Executives felt that the strategy would not only support WAA's financial well-being, but also allow the organization to 'give back' to the airport community.
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) presented its inaugural Watkins Guardian Award to Smith for promoting the growth and evolution of minority- and women-owned businesses and suppliers, while also fostering advancement of civil rights and equal opportunities for all.
Airport projects generally fall into two groups: 'sexy' projects, such as new terminals or faster baggage handling systems, and enabling projects that are important but far less tangible for passengers and guests.
When Orlando International Airport (MCO) opens its new South Terminal Complex in early 2022, the facility's gleaming glass façade, airy environs and high-tech features will no doubt impress passengers. But largely invisible technology will also be working on the tarmac to enhance their experience: a virtual ramp control system designed to minimize gate delays.
