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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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Dallas Love Field, Myrtle Beach Int’l Debut Contactless Retail

Dallas Love Field, Myrtle Beach Int’l Debut Contactless Retail
Despite increasing vaccination rates and decreasing new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., Mark Duebner realizes that pandemic fears persist, and that a portion of the traveling public remains reluctant to resume once commonplace practices such as shopping.

Public-Private Partnership Delivers New Terminal in Bermuda

Public-Private Partnership Delivers New Terminal in Bermuda
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) is passengers’ gateway to the iconic pink sand beaches of Bermuda. With an economy heavily rooted in tourism, this overseas territory of the United Kingdom and its airport have struggled since early 2020 because of COVID-19. However, in December 2020, a new $400 million terminal opened to welcome travelers to the Atlantic island.

FAA Airport Development Program Turns 75

FAA Airport Development Program Turns 75
This May marks 75 years of the federal government providing grants-in-aid programs to build and enhance U.S. airport infrastructure; and the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) is in its 40th year. What we now know as AIP began in 1946 as the Federal-Aid Airport Program.

New Concourse at Reagan National Adds 14 Gates for American Airlines

New Concourse at Reagan National Adds 14 Gates for American Airlines
In April, the Washington, D.C., airport unveiled its new 14-gate concourse, a 230,000-square-foot facility built to replace its remote and cramped Gate 35X. Until recently, about 6,000 American Airline passengers rode airside buses every day to Gate 35X, where they boarded regional jets parked at 14 hardstand gates. The arrangement was the airport’s way of continuing vital service while demand stretched beyond its contiguous facilities.

Skyxe Saskatoon Expands Use of Common-Use Systems

Skyxe Saskatoon Expands Use of Common-Use Systems
Stephen Maybury, president and chief executive officer of Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (YXE), aptly proclaimed 2020 a year of “resilience and fortitude.” At the low point in April, passenger volume at YXE was off fully 98%, and it remained down 69% through year-end.

Airports, Customers & Concessionaires Embrace Contactless Ordering

Airports, Customers & Concessionaires Embrace Contactless Ordering
Well before the coronavirus pandemic intensified demand for contactless transactions, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) embarked on a quest to enhance the travel experience at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by creating a seamless digital experience from curb to gate.

New Parking Ramp Prepares Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l for Post-Pandemic Rebound

New Parking Ramp Prepares Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l for Post-Pandemic Rebound
Last August, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) completed construction of an 11-story parking ramp and transit facility at Terminal 1. When the $443 million project broke ground three years earlier, MSP was in the midst of a 10-year growth trend that peaked with a record 39.5 million passengers in 2019. But by the time the project was finished, the airport was only serving about 25% of its normal volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philadelphia Int’l Finishes Airfield Rehab Months Early Despite Multiple Challenges

Philadelphia Int’l Finishes Airfield Rehab Months Early Despite Multiple Challenges
The multi-year $25 million East Airfield Rehabilitation at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) was completed 71 days early—and that was after having to shut down due to COVID-19. ​With construction progressing so fast and money still in the budget, PHL even managed to take advantage of reduced airfield traffic from the pandemic to add extra taxiway overlays to the project scope.

Colorado Springs Airport Reaps Rewards of Digital Work Orders, Asset Management

Colorado Springs Airport Reaps Rewards of Digital Work Orders, Asset Management
To-do lists at Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are no longer paperwork manila files, sticky notes or even email threads. Instead, maintenance tasks and work orders are managed in a sophisticated software program that tracks all aspects of general operations, from airfield and landside to terminal/facilities and information technology.

Akron-Canton Airport Updates Gates to Prepare for Growth

Akron-Canton Airport Updates Gates to Prepare for Growth
When Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) completed a $37 million gate modernization and concourse expansion last fall, the northeast Ohio airport also celebrated the culmination of its 10-year, $115 million capital improvement program. Together, the projects update the 1960s terminal, allow it to accommodate all current aircraft and right size the facility for future growth.

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FREE Whitepaper

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


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.

 

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Airports, Customers & Concessionaires Embrace Contactless Ordering

Airports, Customers & Concessionaires Embrace Contactless Ordering
Well before the coronavirus pandemic intensified demand for contactless transactions, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) embarked on a quest to enhance the travel experience at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by creating a seamless digital experience from curb to gate.

New Parking Ramp Prepares Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l for Post-Pandemic Rebound

New Parking Ramp Prepares Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l for Post-Pandemic Rebound
Last August, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) completed construction of an 11-story parking ramp and transit facility at Terminal 1. When the $443 million project broke ground three years earlier, MSP was in the midst of a 10-year growth trend that peaked with a record 39.5 million passengers in 2019. But by the time the project was finished, the airport was only serving about 25% of its normal volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philadelphia Int’l Finishes Airfield Rehab Months Early Despite Multiple Challenges

Philadelphia Int’l Finishes Airfield Rehab Months Early Despite Multiple Challenges
The multi-year $25 million East Airfield Rehabilitation at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) was completed 71 days early—and that was after having to shut down due to COVID-19. ​With construction progressing so fast and money still in the budget, PHL even managed to take advantage of reduced airfield traffic from the pandemic to add extra taxiway overlays to the project scope.

Colorado Springs Airport Reaps Rewards of Digital Work Orders, Asset Management

Colorado Springs Airport Reaps Rewards of Digital Work Orders, Asset Management
To-do lists at Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are no longer paperwork manila files, sticky notes or even email threads. Instead, maintenance tasks and work orders are managed in a sophisticated software program that tracks all aspects of general operations, from airfield and landside to terminal/facilities and information technology.

Akron-Canton Airport Updates Gates to Prepare for Growth

Akron-Canton Airport Updates Gates to Prepare for Growth
When Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) completed a $37 million gate modernization and concourse expansion last fall, the northeast Ohio airport also celebrated the culmination of its 10-year, $115 million capital improvement program. Together, the projects update the 1960s terminal, allow it to accommodate all current aircraft and right size the facility for future growth.

Investments at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Pay Quick Dividends

Investments at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Pay Quick Dividends
A renaissance is underway at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport (RWI) in Elm City, NC. And master plan improvements are propelling it forward. Airport Director Dion Viventi reports that several infrastructure projects executed in 2019 and 2020 are already boosting RWI’s bottom line.

Greenville-Spartanburg Int’l Builds Bigger, Better ARFF Station

Greenville-Spartanburg Int’l Builds Bigger, Better ARFF Station
Firefighters at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) are thrilled with the new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station they moved into last November. At 24,000 square feet, the facility is triple the size of the previous station, and also includes updated features and comforts for crews and equipment.

Asset Tracking Software at McCarran Int’l Boosts Efficiency, Documents FAA Compliance

Asset Tracking Software at McCarran Int’l Boosts Efficiency, Documents FAA Compliance
Maintenance personnel at McCarran International Airport (LAS) no longer put pen to paper when they log maintenance performed on runway lights. Instead, a digital asset management system uses GPS technology to track the work performed and pushes the information to a cloud-based platform to enhance the accuracy of maintenance records.

McCarran & Oakland Int’l Complete Pilot Tests of New Fuel Farm Management Platform

McCarran & Oakland Int’l Complete Pilot Tests of New Fuel Farm Management Platform
Fuel storage facilities at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and California’s Oakland International Airport (OAK) are using a new cloud-based asset management system to overcome obstacles that plague the entire industry—problems such as a lack of timely, accurate information and multiple software programs that don’t speak to each other.

Airports Use Digital Platform to Manage Gate Utilization, Aircraft Parking

Airports Use Digital Platform to Manage Gate Utilization, Aircraft Parking
​Until recently, the common-use gates at Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) were a bit like Wichita’s version of the Wild West. The system worked fine when gates were, in fact, open. But when two different airlines wanted to use the same gate, there was no clear way of deciding which had priority.

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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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