21 AirportImprovement.com May | June 2026 SPECIAL EVENTS MCI Welcoming the World With visitors arriving from across the globe, communication is a major focus. “We’ve equipped our team with new technology so they can translate live, on the go, with passengers,” Meyer says. “That’s something we didn’t have before.” Existing tools such as landline phones that offer support in languages are being supplemented with real-time translation apps. Service staff will also be equipped with printed language cards that allow travelers to simply point to their preferred language. To increase accessibility for guests with hearing or vision impairments, MCI is partnering with Aira. The company’s Explorer app connects passengers who are blind or low vision with professionally trained visual interpreters to provide on-demand, real-time visual information and guidance. Passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the Aira ASL app to connect with American Sign Language interpreters via video calls. “These tools are here to stay,” Meyer notes. “They’ll continue well beyond the World Cup.” While rolling out the red carpet for international visitors, airport leaders also are being intentional to remember their home team customers. “We want to make sure the flying experience this summer is just as great for our regular travelers,” Overstreet remarks. Meyer echoes that point, emphasizing that the extra World Cup traffic shouldn’t be problematic because the airport has already demonstrated it can handle heavy traffic without significant delays or long lines. “On a recent Friday during Spring Break—our busiest day since the Sunday after Thanksgiving—more than 21,000 travelers went through security with an average wait time under three minutes,” he reports. In addition, MCI is one of 22 U.S. airports that uses private security screeners authorized by TSA, a model Meyer and other airport leaders say allows them greater staffing flexibility. “I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done with VMD/Xcelerate to match staffing with 20 YEARS | A LEGACY BUILT A Future Unfolding SEE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR PROGRAM FOR 20 YEARS, we’ve worked alongside airport leaders to bring clarity, structure, and alignment to complex capital programs. Today, by bringing together complementary expertise, we’re expanding how we support owners without changing how we show up. OUR OPERATING COMPANIES PASLAYGROUP.COM/FUTURE Concessions operators stocked up on World Cup merchandise and added extra staff.
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