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New Satellite Concourse Provides Efficient Gate Expansion at Nashville Int’l
New Satellite Concourse Provides Efficient Gate Expansion at Nashville Int’l
To accommodate increased passenger demand, Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) recently constructed a standalone Satellite Concourse adjacent to its main terminal. The 89,000-square-foot structure opened in October 2023 and now houses operations primarily for Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines.
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Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Bolsters Employee Security Screening Program
Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Bolsters Employee Security Screening Program
Efficiency and efficacy are the watchwords for employee security screening at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
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Denver Int’l Completes State-of-the-Art West Security Checkpoint
Denver Int’l Completes State-of-the-Art West Security Checkpoint
In the last two decades, passenger volume has nearly doubled at DEN, and security technology has changed considerably. As part of the airport’s Great Hall Program, a $2.1 billion capital improvement project, all checkpoints are moving up a level—both physically and technologically.
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Harry Reid Int’l Tests Self-Service Checkpoint
Harry Reid Int’l Tests Self-Service Checkpoint
For 23 years, TSA has screened passengers and their belongings at U.S. airports to help keep air travel safe. The traffic is staggering, with an average 2.5 million people passing through checkpoints at more than 430 airports each day, and even more during holidays and other surges.
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Safety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline Sector
Safety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline Sector
Nearly a decade ago, the FAA Safety Organization issued a final rule requiring Part 121 certificated operators—scheduled commercial airlines—to implement Safety Management Plans. The goal was to help carriers detect and correct safety risks before they become hazards.
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Historic Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Int’l to Move Commercial Flights From Day to Night
Historic Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Int’l to Move Commercial Flights From Day to Night
With wildfires raging throughout British Columbia last summer, two things kept Kelowna International Airport (YLW) ahead of the game: good working relationships with the provincial and national governments, and partners such as Nav Canada.
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Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Completes Five-Gate Addition
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Completes Five-Gate Addition
With an eye on growth and a heightened commitment to passenger comfort, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) unveiled a 30,000-square-foot terminal expansion in mid-February.
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New ARFF Facility Boosts Efficiency, Paves Way for New Terminal at Monterey Regional
New ARFF Facility Boosts Efficiency, Paves Way for New Terminal at Monterey Regional
A new $9.9 million aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station is enhancing operational efficiency at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), as well as providing a more comfortable environment for the personnel that call it home for days at a time.
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Punta Gorda Closes Runway, Powers Through Rebuild Project
Punta Gorda Closes Runway, Powers Through Rebuild Project
File it under “good things come to those who wait.” The roughly year-long reconstruction and rehabilitation of the primary runway at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) was a welcome improvement that took patience, planning and lots of enabling projects.
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Moving Walkways Replace Decades-Old Monorail at Tampa Int’l
Moving Walkways Replace Decades-Old Monorail at Tampa Int’l
Guests at Tampa International Airport (TPA) can now use a series of moving walkways to quickly travel through the long-term parking garage to the adjacent main terminal, and vice versa.
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New Outdoor Deck Relieves Passenger Congestion at Charlottetown Airport
New Outdoor Deck Relieves Passenger Congestion at Charlottetown Airport
While some airports have struggled to recover passenger traffic lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, the opposite is true at Charlottetown Airport (YYG) on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada. In 2023, the airport recorded 402,686 passengers—an increase of more than 18% from 2022.
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Southwest Hangar Complex at Gulf Shores Int’l is Full
Southwest Hangar Complex at Gulf Shores Int’l is Full
If Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA) were a hotel, management could hang up a “No Vacancy” sign regarding its available hangar space. Airport Director Justin Fletcher proudly reports that all 13 sites of JKA’s Southwest Corporate Hangar Complex are filled.
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Hawaii Provides State-Owned Airports with Online Platform for Environmental Systems Management
Hawaii Provides State-Owned Airports with Online Platform for Environmental Systems Management
Recognizing the need for robust environmental systems management, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division provides a cloud-based, no-code system for its 15 state-owned and state-operated airports.
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Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is celebrating that longtime binational bond with a temporary art exhibit titled Espacios & Lines.
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Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
Nearly 250 years after Paul Revere rode out of Boston warning of a pending advance by British Redcoats, a shimmering red coat of paint warmly welcomes international visitors to the modern airport in his colonial hometown.
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South Bend Airport Completes Expansion & Changes Leadership

Before John Schalliol retired as executive director of South Bend Airport (SBN) in Indiana, he oversaw the culmination of a $15.8 million concourse project that added five new gates, 45,000 square feet of terminal space and numerous passenger conveniences. The final phase, which consolidated passenger screening and added advanced imaging technology, debuted in February, just prior to his retirement celebration.

Watertown Municipal Embraces Tenant Management

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 at small, general aviation fields.

Baltimore/Washington Int'l Optimizes Baggage Handling System

After Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran Airways last year, its Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) went from taxed to overloaded. "Our flights peak at 199 flights per day, and AirTran was running 48 flights per day," recalls Jimmy Dickerson, manager of federal airport security technology for Southwest. "Our CBIS could not by itself handle the combined baggage for the two carriers."

Market RewardsQuick Reflexes, Fluid Planning

Everyone knows an airport that dutifully writes a master plan, gets it approved and promptly places it on a shelf, where it remains unopened for 15 to 20 years until the next plan is due...

San Diego Int'l Switches to LED Runway Status Lights

Despite the best efforts of air traffic controllers, pilots and ground support staff, runway incursions can still occur. One of the FAA's frontline strategies to help further reduce incursions - Runway Status Lights (RWSL) - took another step forward in November, when the system at San Diego International Airport (SAN) was updated with LEDs.

Security Training for Florida Airports Funded with License Plate Sales

"By making the program available to all public-use airports, we have made airport security a top priority - even for airports that previously could not afford to offer training to their staff," explains David Roberts, FDOT Aviation Operations administrator. The agency also extends training to onsite workers not employed by the airport, such as local police officers who respond to calls at the airport.

Airports Use Carts & Kiosks to Boost Concession Revenues

The movie Field of Dreams popularized the notion that "If you build it, they will come." But some airports are taking the corollary approach - not building additional concessions space - and customers and vendors still continue to come.

Edmonton Int'l Makes the Most of a Down Economy

Expansion 2012 is an ambitious, four-part project that expands the terminal at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) by 463,000 square feet and adds a new central utility plant. Plans outside the terminal include construction of a new control tower/office building and roughly 32 football fields of concrete apron. Originally expected to cost $1 billion when planning for the project began in 2008, airport officials were able to leverage economic conditions to their benefit and expect to finish on-time and well under budget at $670 million, reports Paul Garbiar, vice president of infrastructure an

Finding the Opportunities Hidden in Uncertainty

On Valentine's Day, President Obama signed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, a 4-year authorization, ending 41/2 years of split Airport Improvement Programs (AIP) and a record 24 congressional extensions.

Rogue Valley Int'l Develops New Method to Diffuse Fog

Surrounded by the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in southwest Oregon has always been prone to freezing fog and the operational complications associated with it. These days, however, MFR is using a new system developed by its own staff to diffuse fog and help reduce flight delays and cancellations. That's good news for passengers on about 56 flights per day, many who are connecting to eight larger hub airports.

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2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement

Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different. 

Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.

This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.

Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.

 

 

Featured Video

Baltimore/Washington Int'l Optimizes Baggage Handling System

After Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran Airways last year, its Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) went from taxed to overloaded. "Our flights peak at 199 flights per day, and AirTran was running 48 flights per day," recalls Jimmy Dickerson, manager of federal airport security technology for Southwest. "Our CBIS could not by itself handle the combined baggage for the two carriers."

Market RewardsQuick Reflexes, Fluid Planning

Everyone knows an airport that dutifully writes a master plan, gets it approved and promptly places it on a shelf, where it remains unopened for 15 to 20 years until the next plan is due...

San Diego Int'l Switches to LED Runway Status Lights

Despite the best efforts of air traffic controllers, pilots and ground support staff, runway incursions can still occur. One of the FAA's frontline strategies to help further reduce incursions - Runway Status Lights (RWSL) - took another step forward in November, when the system at San Diego International Airport (SAN) was updated with LEDs.

Security Training for Florida Airports Funded with License Plate Sales

"By making the program available to all public-use airports, we have made airport security a top priority - even for airports that previously could not afford to offer training to their staff," explains David Roberts, FDOT Aviation Operations administrator. The agency also extends training to onsite workers not employed by the airport, such as local police officers who respond to calls at the airport.

Airports Use Carts & Kiosks to Boost Concession Revenues

The movie Field of Dreams popularized the notion that "If you build it, they will come." But some airports are taking the corollary approach - not building additional concessions space - and customers and vendors still continue to come.

Edmonton Int'l Makes the Most of a Down Economy

Expansion 2012 is an ambitious, four-part project that expands the terminal at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) by 463,000 square feet and adds a new central utility plant. Plans outside the terminal include construction of a new control tower/office building and roughly 32 football fields of concrete apron. Originally expected to cost $1 billion when planning for the project began in 2008, airport officials were able to leverage economic conditions to their benefit and expect to finish on-time and well under budget at $670 million, reports Paul Garbiar, vice president of infrastructure an

Finding the Opportunities Hidden in Uncertainty

On Valentine's Day, President Obama signed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, a 4-year authorization, ending 41/2 years of split Airport Improvement Programs (AIP) and a record 24 congressional extensions.

Rogue Valley Int'l Develops New Method to Diffuse Fog

Surrounded by the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in southwest Oregon has always been prone to freezing fog and the operational complications associated with it. These days, however, MFR is using a new system developed by its own staff to diffuse fog and help reduce flight delays and cancellations. That's good news for passengers on about 56 flights per day, many who are connecting to eight larger hub airports.

Despite Mild Winter, O'Hare Flexes its Snow Ops Muscle

As one of the busiest airports in the country, operations at O'Hare International (ORD) can impact the entire air traffic system. Even during unpredictable winter weather, it's vital for the large Chicago hub to run safely and smoothly. Thanks to its award-winning operations team, ORD continues to meet the challenges that roll in with the Windy City's winter storms.

LAX Adds a Little Magic

Basketball icon Earvin "Magic" Johnson is among many Angelenos who think it's time to "add a little 'Magic'" to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

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Publisher's Blog

What’s in a Name?
I’m all for improving our airports. But do new names necessarily make them better?
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Industry Insider

Cyberattacks on the Aviation Sector: Threats, Trends and Strategies
The aviation industry has been a prime target for nefarious cyberattacks over the last few years.
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Project Nominations

Know of a project that should be covered in a future issue of Airport Improvement?

Artscapes

Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is celebrating that longtime binational bond with a temporary art exhibit titled...
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