Nothing looks better from the ground or the air than a freshly surfaced runway, apron or taxiway. It's new, it's fresh and it looks professional. Then Mother Nature goes to work - with pounding rain, scorching sun, freezing temperatures and howling winds. As...
factsfigures Project: Automated People Mover Location: Phoenix Sky Harbor Int'l Stage 1 Cost: $644 million Stage 1A Cost: $240 million Stage 2 Cost: Not yet finalized Funding: Airport revenue; passenger fees Of Note: World's first airport transit system to...
factsfigures Project: New Airport Location: Cleveland (TN) Regional Jetport Total Cost: $42.3 million Terminal Cost: $1.6 million, including technology Funding: 90% state & FAA; 10% local FBO: Crystal Air Prime Designer: PDC Consulting Engineering: A2H Engineering...
Surrounded on three sides by environmentally protected waters, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) faced formidable challenges when complying with FAA-required runway safety area improvements. factsfigures Project: Runway Safety Area Extension Location:...
It’s hard to launch a construction project of any size at land-locked Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Surrounded by water to the north, east and south, and bordered by a city neighborhood to the west, planners have very little wiggle room to divert...
When the weather is deteriorating and pilots need accurate, up-to-date runway condition reports, the time it takes to create and forward manual reports can be costly. Incorrect or stale information can lead to incorrect decisions, which, in turn, can lead to...
Parking is a perplexing challenge for many airports. Harried travelers running late get irritated driving up and down rows looking for available spaces. Exhausted travelers who can't remember where they parked wander lots looking for their vehicles. Special...
Two years ago, Airport Improvement explored the debate about whether airports should offer guests free Wi-Fi service or charge fees for access. Today, travelers often feel entitled to some level of free wireless services, and that trend is forcing some airport...
Although some in the industry may liken tenants managing their airports to inmates running their asylums, the arrangement makes perfect sense to others. Often, it's the owner of the local fixed-based operation (FBO) who assumes the lead role; and it usually occurs...
Airports are hotspots of mobile technology. Business and casual travelers alike peck away at smartphones and other electronic portables as they converge from countless directions, only to leave a few minutes later in different directions. They incessantly gaze at...
Surrounded by miles of pristine forest and towering mountains, Gallatin Field Airport (BZN) in Bozeman, MT, is the largest commercial airport serving Yellowstone National Park and several major ski resorts. Its recent $40 million terminal expansion, constructed of...
factsfigures Project: Electric Rail People Mover Location: Miami-Dade Int'l Airport Name: MIA Mover Cost: $270 million Funding: $170 million from Miami-Dade County, $100 million from Florida Dept. of Transportation Route: Connects terminal & rental...
factsfigures Project: Runway Reconfiguration Location: Arcata-Eureka (CA) Airport Funding: $8.8 million FAA grant Strategy: Reposition takeoff/landing thresholds & add engineered material arresting system (EMAS) Project Manager: Mead and Hunt General Contractor:...
When the City of Houston received a free compressed natural gas (CNG) station for George Bush Intercontinental Airport, a fleet of eco-conscious airport shuttles was put in place to use the new station. These days, 30 buses powered by CNG ferry passengers to and from...
factsfigures Project: Testing Runway Lights Location: San Diego Int'l Airport Equipment: Mobile Airfield Light Monitoring System from TMS Photometrics Benefits: Improved runway visibility for pilots; assurance that lights meet FAA requirements; reduced maintenance...
factsfigures Project: Enhanced service & marketing features on consolidated hotel shuttles Location: Los Angeles Int'l Airport Operator: Shuttle Smart Software Provider: Omnivex Primary Benefits: Displays in shuttle buses and hotel lobbies provide real-time...
The U.S. Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) has one of the most critical missions in America: It shuttles President Barack Obama and other high-level government leaders throughout the Washington, D.C., area and beyond.
Facts & Figures Projects: New Runway Location: Randolph County (IN) Airport Cost: $4,389,190 Size: 4,300 ft. long; 75 ft. wide Funding: 95% FAA; 1.25% state; 3.75% county General Contractor: Milestone Construction Engineer: Butler, Fairman & Seufert Civil...
When the main runway at Indiana's Elkhart Municipal Airport needed resurfacing in July 2009, the stars aligned in an unusual way to help get the project done with better materials and for less money - even in a seriously slumping local economy. The airport was awarded...
It takes a lot of energy and light bulbs to keep taxiway lights operating all night long. With an investment of $130,000, one Louisiana airport is reducing its need for both by storing the sun's energy for nighttime use. Facts & Figures Project: Solar LED Taxiway...
Self-service fueling has been a fixture at general aviation airports for decades, but some within the specialized sector say its heyday may be just over the horizon. Facts & Figures Project: Self-Serve Fueling Station Location: Charles B. Wheeler Airport, Kansas...
Passenger advocates pumped their fists in victory while airline officials wrung their hands with worry when the Department of Transportation (DOT) took aim at tarmac delays of more than three hours last December. Now that both groups have lived with the new "tarmac...
Internet access is a hot-button topic for travelers who are increasingly dependent on smart phones and other web-enabled gadgets to stay connected. Who should pay to provide it is entirely another matter. Some airport officials insist they can't afford to offer free...
When Allegiant Air announced plans to expand service to Bellingham International Airport in Washington, it started the ball rolling on several facility upgrades, including construction of a $2.2 million aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station. The airport,...
The Kansas City Aviation Department faced quite a conundrum a few years ago - what to do about its general aviation facility, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport. Facts & Figures Project: Hangar Construction Location: Charles B. Wheeler Airport, Kansas City, MO...
