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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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Atlanta Int’l Constructs South Deicing Complex

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) may not regularly deal with icing conditions, but that doesn’t mean they are not a concern for its airlines and airport management. As the busiest passenger airport in the United States, roughly 6% of all U.S. enplanements occur at ATL. So when operations slow there, the rest of the country is impacted.

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Yellowstone Regional Safeguards Security With New Wildlife Fence

Abundant wildlife is a major attraction at Yellowstone National Park, right up there with its famous geysers. The chance to see everything from bear and bison to raptors and fox draws millions of visitors ever year. While such sightings are welcome within the confines of the park, they are hazards on the airfield of Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) in Cody, WY.

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Renovations at Columbus Airport Deliver Like-New Terminal

If a commercial building fails to keep pace with changes in its industry, it affects everyone who uses it—customers, employees and third-party partners. This is especially true in the ever-evolving airport sector. Columbus Airport (CSG) in western Georgia has lived both sides of that coin. After three decades of continual use and no budget for regular updates, the terminal’s outdated layout and failing infrastructure were negatively impacting everyone’s experience.

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The Great Outdoors is Even Greater During a Pandemic

When Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) unveiled the details of its $1.4 billion Terminal Modernization Program a few years ago, one feature marked a striking design departure for the airport.

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Kansas City Int’l Sets New Standards for Accessibility and Inclusiveness

Straddling the border of two states, Kansas City has some parts in Kansas and other parts in Missouri. While that can prove confusing, it’s crystal clear that the whole region is rallying behind the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which is on the Missouri side of town.

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Silicon Valley Donor, Industry Firms and Local Children’s Museum Create New Play Area at San Jose Int’l

Last fall, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) opened a $1.2 million indoor play area that helps young passengers burn physical and mental energy before boarding their flights. And it was all made possible by a village of generous supporters.

Read more about Silicon Valley Donor, Industry Firms and Local Children’s Museum Create New Play Area at San Jose Int’l

Restroom Renovations at Philadelphia Int’l and Baltimore/Washington Int’l Focus on Smart Features and Passenger Satisfaction

In surveys, the No. 1 thing that affects passenger satisfaction isn’t weather delays or how many Starbucks locations an airport has. Time and time again, it all comes down to the restrooms. Two airports that were due for major restroom overhauls—Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)—are undertaking large multiphase projects to update and upgrade their facilities.

Read more about Restroom Renovations at Philadelphia Int’l and Baltimore/Washington Int’l Focus on Smart Features and Passenger Satisfaction

Experience Pays Off in Fourth Baggage Inspection System Project at Fort Lauderdale Int’l

When the Broward County Aviation Department rolled up its collective sleeves to replace the checked baggage inspection system in Terminal 4 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), the team had a wealth of experience on its side. The department had replaced similar systems in FLL’s three other terminals over the past decade.

Read more about Experience Pays Off in Fourth Baggage Inspection System Project at Fort Lauderdale Int’l

Parking Expansion and Enhancements at San Jose Int’l

Prior to the COVID pandemic, unprecedented passenger traffic at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) led to increased demand for parking. In 2019, the California airport served more than 15 million passengers and was ranked the fastest-growing airport in the United States.

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Police Force at Los Angeles Int’l Discovers There’s No Place Like One Home

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division (LAXPD) now has a home befitting of its status as the largest airport law enforcement agency in the United States. The 1,100-member department moved into a new $216 million facility on the north side of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in fall 2021.

Read more about Police Force at Los Angeles Int’l Discovers There’s No Place Like One Home

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FREE Whitepaper

Fairbanks International Airport Baggage Transport Conveyor Enhanced With Mod Drive™ System

Airports face a host of unique industry challenges, such as meeting efficiency regulations and seeking out the best maintenance practices to reduce costs and keep operations flowing. In today’s current economic climate, any potential cost savings can go a long way.

In 2019, Alaska’s Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) sought to modernize its equipment and operations. They were dissatisfied with the performance of the gearmotors on their baggage transport conveyors and began searching for new suppliers. Regal approached FAI with a solution that could improve equipment performance and simplify maintenance, with the added benefit of energy cost savings: the Hub City® MOD Drive™ system.

This white paper discusses the hardware deployed, the test results and the annualized expectations for ROI.

Click here or on the cover to access a PDF version of the complete whitepaper.

Featured Video

#Social Media Presence - Punta Gorda (PGD)

Punta Gorda (PGD) is providing guests with life-size scenes for selfies and group photos.

Read more about #Social Media Presence - Punta Gorda (PGD)

Restroom Renovations at Philadelphia Int’l and Baltimore/Washington Int’l Focus on Smart Features and Passenger Satisfaction

Read more about Restroom Renovations at Philadelphia Int’l and Baltimore/Washington Int’l Focus on Smart Features and Passenger Satisfaction

Experience Pays Off in Fourth Baggage Inspection System Project at Fort Lauderdale Int’l

Read more about Experience Pays Off in Fourth Baggage Inspection System Project at Fort Lauderdale Int’l

Parking Expansion and Enhancements at San Jose Int’l

Read more about Parking Expansion and Enhancements at San Jose Int’l

Police Force at Los Angeles Int’l Discovers There’s No Place Like One Home

Read more about Police Force at Los Angeles Int’l Discovers There’s No Place Like One Home

Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Leverages Artificial Intelligence to Improve Visibility, Management of Ground Operations

Space is at a premium for many airports, particularly those in North America. When it’s time to grow, they are often expected to find creative ways to accommodate more flight operations in their existing footprints.

Read more about Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Leverages Artificial Intelligence to Improve Visibility, Management of Ground Operations

Denver Int’l Completes First Phase of Great Hall Renovation/Expansion

It may be hard to believe, but it has already been 26 years since Denver International Airport (DEN) sprang up east of downtown Denver to replace Stapleton International, which was located in the midst of the growing city.

Read more about Denver Int’l Completes First Phase of Great Hall Renovation/Expansion

New Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Offers Shower Suite and Gourmet Eats

The new Capital One Lounge that opened at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in November was inspired by an unappetizing image: pre-packaged salads with wilting greens.

Read more about New Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Offers Shower Suite and Gourmet Eats

Historic O’Hare Airfield Reconfiguration Reaches Finale

Robert Hoxie, chief development officer for the Chicago Department of Aviation, doesn’t mince words about the importance of completing the O’Hare Modernization Program. Since it was first announced in 2001, the $8 billion program has been steadily transforming the airfield at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to improve safety and efficiency and reduce delays that were known to cause ripples throughout the National Airspace System.

Read more about Historic O’Hare Airfield Reconfiguration Reaches Finale

Miami Int’l is First Airport in North America to Dispatch COVID-19 Detection Dogs

When the novel coronavirus entered the scene in early 2020, hardly anyone could imagine the long-lasting effects it would have on everyday life. Nearly two years later, variants, masks, booster vaccines and testing are still the norm.

Read more about Miami Int’l is First Airport in North America to Dispatch COVID-19 Detection Dogs

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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)

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is celebrating that longtime binational bond with a temporary art exhibit titled...

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