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PUBLISHER’S COLUMN
Where Are You Going This Summer?
Summer is my favorite time of year. It brings warmer weather, 
longer days and a wider array of fun things to do than any 
other season.
You know what else there’s more of in summer? Air travel. 
And this summer will not disappoint. Between our nation’s 250th 
anniversary, World Cup soccer and summer vacations, airports 
will have busy airfields, packed parking lots and plenty of action at 
concessions. And from what I’ve seen and read, you’re ready for 
the challenge.
As I’m writing this column and preparing the issue to go to 
press, Lisa and I are getting ready for a trip to Wisconsin. While 
there, we’ll have a busy schedule that includes a wedding, Brewers 
baseball games, live music at Summerfest and catching up with 
friends. It’s no coincidence that there’s more to do in the summer…
and flying to where we want to be starts and ends at airports. 
This issue of Airport Improvement reflects the state of growth 
that currently embodies our industry. Included are articles about 
capacity-enhancing terminal projects at BWI, 
ORF and SAT. The passenger lounge additions 
at DFW will blow your socks off. PDG and 
SFO share how private screening firms 
operating under federal oversight provide them 
with extra flexibility to safely and efficiently 
move more passengers than ever before.  
But the summer of ’26 is not all sunscreen, 
mosquito spray and bowls of fresh cherries. Global conflicts, higher 
fuel prices and rising inflation are adding significant challenges. 
Despite that, the appeal of air travel remains resilient and shows 
little to no signs of slowing down. Advances in capacity, safety and 
the passenger experience are not just nice, they are essential for 
handling the traffic that this and future summers will bring. 
Cheers!
PAUL BOWERS, PUBLISHER
AirportImprovement.com      July | August 2026

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