b'34 MIA GROUND SUPPORTFlorida. Some installations take as little as 35 toClearly Appealing45 days because crews complete the requiredEver since ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems (now TK Elevator) introduced glass belowground work up front. boarding bridges to the U.S. airport market in 2008, the translucent structures Its so amazing to see just how fast thehave been adding an undeniable wow factor to terminal improvement projects bridge is removed, says Smith. It comes downthroughout the nation. in one day. After the companys first two installations at Killeen Regional Airport (GRK) in Style and Substance Texas, several years passed before Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport Smith credits Cuti, the airports top exec,(AMA), also in Texas, installed six units. One year later, in 2015, two more popped for striking a balance between aesthetics andup at Alabamas Huntsville International Airport (HSV).the need for operational efficiency at the busyIn the interim, another manufacturer, JBT AeroTech, began installing its glass gateway airport. MIA already offers more flightsbridgesfirst at Californias Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) in 2011, and to Latin America and the Caribbean than anythen a full dozen at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in 2015other U.S. airport, and also moves nearly 60%more than any other U.S. airport at the time. of Floridas international annual visitors. GlassOther airports that have more recently embraced the allure of see-through boarding bridges are one way the airport canbridges include the Seattle regions Paine Field (PAE) and Syracuse Hancock continue that pace with a visible splash of SouthInternational Airport (SYR) in upstate New York, which selected JBT AeroTech; Florida style. and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) in California, which used We have to make decisions to keep us atTK Elevator bridges. Looking ahead, Key West Airport (EYW) in South Florida top levels, and the decisions we make todayis incorporating eight glass TK Elevator boarding bridges into its $80 million will impact our standing in the next five years,Concourse A upgrade that is set to open next year. the next seven years, Smith says. CustomerWith Miami International Airport (MIA) committing to eventually outfit all 126 of experience won out.its gates with glass boarding bridges, the option is clearly striking a chord in the U.S. market. Designed for the Future BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEMDESIGN / CONSULTATION / ANALYSIS/ ASSESSMENT / OAR SERVICESMaintained for Performance BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM /PASSENGER BOARDING BRIDGEAirport Services CharlForot Ltte Douauderglasdale -HollywoodOPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE InteInrnatternational Airional Airporptort www.jsmandassociates.comsolutions@jsmairports.com TerTminaerminal Lol 2 Mbby EoxpansiondernizationSeptember 2024AirportImprovement.com'