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.
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.
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.
Some say that when one door closes, another one opens. Turns out that when one Air Force base closes, a lot of doors can open. Salina Regional Airport (SLN), located about 175 miles west of Kansas City, is currently a thriving municipal airport fed by a busy industrial park and a satellite campus of Kansas State University. But that wasn't always the case.
Plenty of unknown challenges emerged when COVID-19 turned the industry upside down in a matter of weeks. San Diego International Airport (SAN) also found an opportunity. While air traffic is at record lows due to the global pandemic, the metropolitan airport is analyzing how the noise data it routinely collects correlates with the number of noise complaints from the community.
Spoiler alert: The relationship is not what you might expect.
From the very onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Los Angeles World Airports has been aggressively pursuing new processes, protocols and technologies to keep Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) clean, healthy and safe for employees, tenants and passengers.
When Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) officially opened the doors of its new terminal in November 2019, the facility gleamed. The concourses and updated finishes literally transformed the way nearly 25,000 passengers traveled through the airport each day. But shortly after the grand opening, cleaning challenges emerged that threatened the image and reputation of the city's flagship airport.
As the general public continues to shy away from commercial air travel during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, airports are finding new ways to keep their important infrastructure improvements on track. Teams supporting projects in Pittsburgh and Puerto Rico, for instance, learned how to keep projects moving during shutdowns in March. Leveraging remote technologies that allowed personnel to work from home proved pivotal in both cases.
As the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) spans more than 7 million square feet of property. Naturally, it takes a lot of supplies and materials to keep the facilities that large running smoothly. Everything from carpeting and trash cans to paper towels and window cleaner is purchased and used in high volume.
