Without question, COVID-19 has been a test for airports large and small, metropolitan and rural. In August 2020, during the early throes of the pandemic, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) changed from traditional concessions contracts to more narrow management agreements for five of its nine food and beverage locations.
In 2019, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was the third-busiest airport in the world, and that put its parking capacity to the test. Although its Central Terminal Area parking structures can hold more than 8,000 vehicles, those spaces command premium prices and often fill up when business travelers need them most.
When the CrossBorder Xpress terminal opened about six years ago, officials knew its pedestrian bridge directly linking Tijuana's General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport (TIJ) and the U.S. would be popular. What they didn't expect was a 100% increase in passenger traffic.
Last fall, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) opened a $1.2 million indoor play area that helps young passengers burn physical and mental energy before boarding their flights. And it was all made possible by a village of generous supporters.
Several years ago, YSB started investing in larger pieces of equipment that do the work of multiple machines to help its small, but seasoned, staff remove more snow in less time. That, in turn, allows the airport to allocate its 15 snow removal employees and seasonal workers more efficiently. To handle copious amounts of snow with a relatively small snow removal staff, the Ontario airport takes a tactical approach that emphasizes advanced equipment and machines that boost productivity and efficiency.
Straddling the border of two states, Kansas City has some parts in Kansas and other parts in Missouri. While that can prove confusing, it's crystal clear that the whole region is rallying behind the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which is on the Missouri side of town.
When Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) unveiled the details of its $1.4 billion Terminal Modernization Program a few years ago, one feature marked a striking design departure for the airport.
If a commercial building fails to keep pace with changes in its industry, it affects everyone who uses it'customers, employees and third-party partners. This is especially true in the ever-evolving airport sector. Columbus Airport (CSG) in western Georgia has lived both sides of that coin. After three decades of continual use and no budget for regular updates, the terminal's outdated layout and failing infrastructure were negatively impacting everyone's experience.
Abundant wildlife is a major attraction at Yellowstone National Park, right up there with its famous geysers. The chance to see everything from bear and bison to raptors and fox draws millions of visitors ever year. While such sightings are welcome within the confines of the park, they are hazards on the airfield of Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) in Cody, WY.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) may not regularly deal with icing conditions, but that doesn't mean they are not a concern for its airlines and airport management. As the busiest passenger airport in the United States, roughly 6% of all U.S. enplanements occur at ATL. So when operations slow there, the rest of the country is impacted.
Years of preliminary groundwork at Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are coming to fruition as Peak Innovation Park gains altitude. The commercial and industrial development is attracting a well-rounded cross-section of tenants, including Amazon, the U.S. Forest Service and companies supporting the aerospace and defense industries.
When it's time to update or replace an aging jet fuel facility, financing can be a big challenge. At Tucson International Airport (TUS), the local airline consortium worked with airport officials and an outside engineering consulting firm to find a creative way to ensure a steady fuel supply for all airport users.
