Imagine That!

Airport Improvement isn’t built around offering themed issues every other month. Rather, we provide case studies of projects within pertinent categories that offer great examples of what airports and their partners have created. A collection of best practices, if you will.

That said, there is an element that connects many of the stories in this issue.

Imagine artwork that takes the form of an experiential space for customers. An “Interconnected,” digitally coordinated morph of live airport data projected onto three displays.

Or imagine smart windows that automatically adjust their tint, based on the level of sunlight hitting the panes, to help the airport maintain the interior temperature.

Then imagine a P3 project that not only brings commercial service to an airport for the first time, but also treats all travelers to a facility that looks and feels like a private lounge reserved for first class passengers.

If that’s not enough, imagine on-demand parking rate variability or a facial recognition boarding system that doesn’t require passengers to hand gate agents their passports or phones (loaded with electronic boarding passes).     

Pretty cool stuff, right? All of these innovations are not the dreams of tomorrow, but the realities of today. These imaginative ideas, and more, are the basis of projects covered in this March/April issue.  

When looking at this edition, I couldn’t help but feel a little serendipity with our selection of stories. There was a certain je ne sais quoi that made the issue jell. These airports aren’t simply “improving the passenger experience” (such an overused phrase!). There is true imagination behind their work. With the help of innovative consultants and suppliers, these operators are adding new products and processes to make their airports better, safer and more profitable. That takes strength and determination—and the guts to take risks. 

Cheers!