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Ticketing Hall Expansion Adds Much-Needed Space at Reno-Tahoe Int’l
Ticketing Hall Expansion Adds Much-Needed Space at Reno-Tahoe Int’l
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) opened a newly expanded Ticketing Hall in April. The Nevada airport also remodeled and upgraded its existing 35,000-square-foot hall with new public restrooms, ticketing kiosks, wayfinding signage and space for oversized baggage.
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New Rail Service Enhances Multimodal Connectivity at Orlando Int’l
New Rail Service Enhances Multimodal Connectivity at Orlando Int’l
A long-time regional transportation plan became reality when Orlando and Miami were connected with high-speed rail service. The new route provides an attractive new option for airline travelers throughout the state, and Orlando International (MCO) staked its claim as the first U.S.
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Alaska Airlines Installs Self-Service Bag Tag Stations
Alaska Airlines Installs Self-Service Bag Tag Stations
Airports with significant service from Alaska Airlines are now dotted with new self-serve machines for passengers. The Seattle-based carrier recently removed ticketing kiosks and replaced them with stations solely dedicated to printing tags for checked baggage.
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New Engine-Testing Facility Enhances Safety, Functionality and Efficiency at Michigan Airport
New Engine-Testing Facility Enhances Safety, Functionality and Efficiency at Michigan Airport
A new $7 million ground run-up enclosure is boosting safety and operating efficiency at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (OSC), a general aviation airport in northeastern Michigan, along the Lake Huron shoreline.
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Safety Management Systems at Airports
Safety Management Systems at Airports
Following the FAA Safety Organization’s final rule for Part 121 airline operators in 2015, the agency published its final ruling on Safety Management Systems (SMS) for some Part 139 airports in February 2023.
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Atlanta Int’l Combines Modular and Traditional Build Methods for Concourse D Expansion
Atlanta Int’l Combines Modular and Traditional Build Methods for Concourse D Expansion
Serving more than 100 million passengers annually, it’s no secret that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a critical piece of the worldwide aviation network.
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Daytona Beach Int’l Implements State-of-the-Art Security Measures
Daytona Beach Int’l Implements State-of-the-Art Security Measures
Passengers tend to think of airport security as TSA checkpoints and police K9s, but much more goes into keeping the public safe.
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Boise Airport Expands Parking for Growing Local Population
Boise Airport Expands Parking for Growing Local Population
Nicknamed Treasure Valley for its vast natural resources, Boise, ID, is having a moment. The Boise metro area consistently shows up on lists of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S., and Boise Airport (BOI) is making investments to handle the associated traffic increases.
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Sarasota Int’l Gets Creative Introducing Local Students to Aviation
Sarasota Int’l Gets Creative Introducing Local Students to Aviation
It can be tough finding time to build relationships with the greater community.
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Newark-Heath Airport Makes Major Upgrades
Newark-Heath Airport Makes Major Upgrades
Located about 40 miles east of Columbus, OH, Newark-Heath Airport (VTA) is in one of the fastest-growing areas in that state. Currently, the general aviation airfield logs about 13,000 operations a year, but traffic is expected to escalate based on Intel’s plans to invest $20 billion in the area.
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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Int’l Builds New Quick-Turn Facility for Rental Car Operations
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Int’l Builds New Quick-Turn Facility for Rental Car Operations
After a long time coming, an updated quick turnaround facility for consolidated rental car operations at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) became fully operational last fall.
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Time for a Touch Up - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Time for a Touch Up - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
The Traveler has been amazing and amusing visitors at Orlando International Airport (MCO) ever since it was installed in 1985.
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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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Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station

Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
The new 20,865-square-foot, single-story ARFF facility at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is about three times larger than its predecessor. The station it replaced was more than 50 years old and not designed to be staffed around-the-clock. Construction of the new facility began in August 2020 and was completed last June.

Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
The magic of air travel is alive and well at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas.

Vancouver Int’l Expands Int’l Pier to Accommodate More Passengers

Vancouver Int’l Expands Int’l Pier to Accommodate More Passengers
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) opened its Pier D expansion in June 2022, adding eight new international wide-body departure gates. From a practical standpoint, the project was Vancouver Airport Authority’s way of keeping pace with growth in international traffic.

Ford Int’l Builds New Airport Operations Center

Ford Int’l Builds New Airport Operations Center
Creating a better workspace was the driving force in early 2020 when executives at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) committed to building a new operations center. In addition to housing everyday operations functions and equipment, the $8.5 million building includes an upgraded emergency operations center for the Grand Rapids, MI, airport.

Long-Awaited Rail Extension Is Just the Ticket to Spur Growth at Washington Dulles

Long-Awaited Rail Extension Is Just the Ticket to Spur Growth at Washington Dulles
Nearly 60 years and billions of dollars in the making, the Silver Line Extension opened Nov. 15, 2022, connecting customers to six new stations, including one at Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD). The new 11.4 miles of Metrorail track expanded the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system to provide service between Reston and eastern Loudoun County, both in Virginia.

Deeper Partnerships Yield Additional Advertising Revenue at Ontario Int’l

Deeper Partnerships Yield Additional Advertising Revenue at Ontario Int’l
The Ontario International Airport Authority Board approved an agreement with Fuse Advancement LLC to collaborate with airport staff on a new advertising and sponsorship sales model. The new partnership, which began in 2021, emphasizes continual growth by building on joint relationships.

Charlotte-Douglas Int’l Begins $3.1 Billion Expansion Amid More Passenger Growth

Charlotte-Douglas Int’l Begins $3.1 Billion Expansion Amid More Passenger Growth
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is in the early stages of a long-term capacity enhancement program to address three decades of growth and prepare for the future. When the existing terminal opened in 1982, CLT served 2.7 million local customers; in 2019, it served more than four times as many out of the same footprint.

Canyonlands Regional Upgrades its Parking Payment/Collections System

Canyonlands Regional Upgrades its Parking Payment/Collections System
Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) made the move from an archaic, manual strategy for collecting parking payments to a modern pay-by-phone system last spring. Although the Moab, UT, airport has a humble gravel parking lot without gates or payment kiosks, the benefits of an updated—yet simple—payment collection system and added enforcement measures are proving valuable.

New Taxiway at Myrtle Beach Int’l Improves Airfield Safety, Frees Space for Terminal Expansion

New Taxiway at Myrtle Beach Int’l Improves Airfield Safety, Frees Space for Terminal Expansion
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) got three wins from one project when it completed a $60 million taxiway reconstruction in 2021. Taxiway A, which ran parallel to MYR’s sole runway and served its commercial terminal, was one of the few remaining vestiges of a former military base.

Miami Int’l Serves as TSA Test Site for Technologies to Help Detect Drones

Miami Int’l Serves as TSA Test Site for Technologies to Help Detect Drones
Miami Int’l Airport (MIA) ranks among the busiest airports in the world, with about 43,000 takeoffs and landings a month. Naturally, the bustling airport makes safety a top priority. But unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) using drones present a growing safety risk.

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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.

 

 

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New Control Tower Sparks Growth at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, Opens Pathway for Other Airports With Contract Towers

New Control Tower Sparks Growth at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, Opens Pathway for Other Airports With Contract Towers
The recent addition of an upgraded air traffic control tower has given Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) an inside track to welcoming more passengers while supporting a surge in aviation-related commercial development. Last August, AZA activated its John S. McCain III Air Traffic Control Tower, a nearly 200-foot-tall, $30 million addition that immediately improved airfield safety and boosted operational capacity at the expanding reliever airport.

Expansion, Renovations at Orlando Sanford Int’l Eliminate Pain Points, Streamline Operations

Expansion, Renovations at Orlando Sanford Int’l Eliminate Pain Points, Streamline Operations
A comprehensive $60 million makeover at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) has streamlined operations and made travel easier for passengers. Key components included consolidating ticketing and security screening areas, merging two terminals into one, expanding baggage claim facilities and adding entrances to parking facilities to periodically reduce traffic jams outside the terminal.

Nueces County Airport Installs New Fuel Tanks and Dispensing Station

Nueces County Airport Installs New Fuel Tanks and Dispensing Station
Nueces County Airport (RBO), is a small general aviation airport located in Robstown, TX - about 30 miles west of Corpus Christi and the Gulf of Mexico. RBO doesn’t have to deal with snow or ice. However, occasional hurricanes and tropical storms coming off the Gulf do pose a real threat.

Runway Project? What Runway Project? - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

Runway Project? What Runway Project? - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Transitions uses abstract representations of checkered racing flags and other local icons to obscure the view of reconstruction work occurring on Runway 5R-23L.

Portland Int’l Taps Local, Renewable Resource for Seismically Resilient Wooden Roof

Portland Int’l Taps Local, Renewable Resource for Seismically Resilient Wooden Roof
The new 9-acre structure will help double the square footage inside the terminal and includes 2.5 million board feet of Douglas fir lumber, with curves supported by glulam (glue-laminated) beams. Beams for the roof were manufactured offsite and then assembled on the airfield less than a mile from the main terminal, allowing the building to remain 100% operational throughout the process.

Raleigh-Durham Int’l Opens Industry’s First Multi-Restaurant Ghost Kitchen

Raleigh-Durham Int’l Opens Industry’s First Multi-Restaurant Ghost Kitchen
One of the three locations shuttered at the North Carolina airport was a California Pizza Kitchen in Terminal 2, and customers missed the option when traffic began to resume. Rather than plugging another standard dine-in/carry-out option into the open spot, management at RDU opted to pioneer an entirely new concept for airports: a virtual food hall with multiple concessionaires.

Philadelphia Int’l is Updating - and Monetizing - Its Information Technology Network

Philadelphia Int’l is Updating - and Monetizing - Its Information Technology Network
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has embarked on a comprehensive program to take its information technology (IT) network far into the future. The vision is to create and own a seamless, standardized network that optimizes the passenger experience and provides efficient service for carriers and tenants. If all goes according to plan, the new network will eventually produce additional revenue.

Another End-Around Taxiway Yields Many Benefits at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l

Another End-Around Taxiway Yields Many Benefits at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) completed its Northeast End-Around Taxiway Project in May, making it the only U.S. airport with an end-around taxiway at both ends of a runway. The recently completed project was the last component of DFW’s three-phase Northeast End-around Taxiway Program, which started in 2018 and cost a total of $46 million.

Bradley Int’l Builds New Ground Transportation Center

Bradley Int’l Builds New Ground Transportation Center
This summer, Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT, opened a new rental car facility and ground transportation center that spans 13.4 acres and includes 1.5 million square feet of space in three buildings: a five-story ready/return garage, a five-story quick turnaround facility and a four-story vertical circulation building. The entire facility is connected to the terminal by an elevated, covered pedestrian bridge and features the airport’s three-letter identifier, BDL, in bright lights.

Louisville Int’l Installs Geothermal System to Substantially Reduce Energy Costs, Carbon Footprint

Louisville Int’l Installs Geothermal System to Substantially Reduce Energy Costs, Carbon Footprint
A $21.7 million geothermal heating and cooling system currently being installed at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the first of its magnitude at a U.S. airport. The project is designed to reduce the Kentucky airport’s energy costs for natural gas and electricity by roughly $400,000 annually. It also should reduce SDF’s carbon footprint by about 80%.

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Publisher's Blog

Let’s Be Clear
With more passengers being screened by TSA than ever before, checkpoint wait times are increasing accordingly.
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Industry Insider

A Bittersweet Goodbye
I look forward to July 1, 2024, with a profound sense of achievement.
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Project Nominations

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

Artscapes

Time for a Touch Up - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Time for a Touch Up - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
The Traveler has been amazing and amusing visitors at Orlando International Airport (MCO) ever since it was installed...
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