Current Issue...

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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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).
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
Pause

Let's Hear it For Expandable Design & Long-Term Planning

When Tampa International Airport (TPA) opened in 1971, it was regarded by many as a state-of-the-art wonder, especially for a city of Tampa's size at the time. It was the first airport in the world with a "people mover" system and automated baggage carousels; and it was designed so passengers would walk no more than 700 feet from parked car or curbside to plane, or from gate to gate. Its spoke-and-hub layout was, and still is, convenient for both planes and people.

Friedman Memorial Opts for Technology vs. Extra Staff to Comply with Badging Regs

Steve Guthrie, airport security coordinator at Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in central Idaho, will be the first to tell you that small general aviation airports must contend with the same TSA directives as the largest commercial airports. Guthrie will also be the first to speak volumes about the time and effort his Category III commercial services facility has saved using some of the same security-specific computer systems as much larger airports.

Villeneuve Airport Upgrades Airfield, Adds Facilities to Prepare for Growth

Persistence from local aviation investors and the closure of another nearby municipal airport have spurred unprecedented development at Alberta's Villeneuve Airport (ZVL). Located in a rural area northwest of Edmonton, the two-runway general aviation airport currently handles approximately 54,000 movements per year; but traffic is expected to grow over time.

Cancun Int'l Installs New System to CentralizeInfo Displays at 9 Mexican Airports

A system recently deployed at Cancun International (CUN) is centralizing the operation and management of passenger information displays at nine southeast Mexican airports. Currently in full operation, the system is simultaneously delivering multiple benefits to the traveling public and the airports' operator.

US Airways Upgrades Airside Bus Fleet at Reagan National

Getting passengers in and out is a continual challenge at older East Coast airports, where congestion is often a standard element of the local landscape. Hardstands allow them to accommodate more aircraft and passengers than contact gates alone; but they also create the need to shuttle customers between the tarmac and terminal.

Award-Winning Winter Ops Team Keeps Anchorage Int'l Open

No one at Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) can recall ever having to close the vital Alaskan airport because of snow or ice. Once, yes, because of winds in excess of 100 miles per hour, and once due to volcanic ash from Mount Redoubt; but no one remembers a snow or ice closure.

Atlanta Int'l Adds "Airline-Agnostic" Passenger Lounge

Building on the traditional popularity of airline lounges while also catering to a preponderance of hub and spoke passengers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has opened an independently-operated common-use lounge that offers extra perks to all passengers for a $35 daily access fee.

Managing Leakage

When playing the word association game, "leakage" would likely prompt answers about diapers and plumbing. But leakage appears everywhere. As publishers, we deal with leakage in areas such as circulation and advertising. As you'll discover in this issue, airports deal with leakage, too. We have two stories in this issue involving leakage, and they couldn't be more different from one another.

Plans for Business Park in the Works at Albuquerque Int'l Sunport

When Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) closed its original runway in 2012, the airport's director of aviation, Jim Hinde, saw a distinct bright side. Hinde envisioned the opportunity to redevelop the land and increase the airport's non-airline revenues by establishing a global business incubator. The change in land use, he reasons, will not only enhance the airport's financial stability, but also benefit the city of Albuquerque and state of New Mexico.

DFW Adds Hotel Hospitality to TSA Checkpoint with Help from Marriott

It wouldn't be hyperbole or marketing hype to say that the newly renovated TSA checkpoint at Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) puts most airport screening areas to shame. The 3,000-square-foot screening station in Terminal E features soft music, mood lighting, oversized artwork, a video wall and other style-conscious décor. Beyond the X-ray machines, passengers don't stoop and wobble awkwardly to put on their shoes and repack carry-ons. They sit on plush couches or stand at tall tables in a specially designed "re-composure area."

Pages

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

Villeneuve Airport Upgrades Airfield, Adds Facilities to Prepare for Growth

Persistence from local aviation investors and the closure of another nearby municipal airport have spurred unprecedented development at Alberta's Villeneuve Airport (ZVL). Located in a rural area northwest of Edmonton, the two-runway general aviation airport currently handles approximately 54,000 movements per year; but traffic is expected to grow over time.

Cancun Int'l Installs New System to CentralizeInfo Displays at 9 Mexican Airports

A system recently deployed at Cancun International (CUN) is centralizing the operation and management of passenger information displays at nine southeast Mexican airports. Currently in full operation, the system is simultaneously delivering multiple benefits to the traveling public and the airports' operator.

US Airways Upgrades Airside Bus Fleet at Reagan National

Getting passengers in and out is a continual challenge at older East Coast airports, where congestion is often a standard element of the local landscape. Hardstands allow them to accommodate more aircraft and passengers than contact gates alone; but they also create the need to shuttle customers between the tarmac and terminal.

Award-Winning Winter Ops Team Keeps Anchorage Int'l Open

No one at Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) can recall ever having to close the vital Alaskan airport because of snow or ice. Once, yes, because of winds in excess of 100 miles per hour, and once due to volcanic ash from Mount Redoubt; but no one remembers a snow or ice closure.

Atlanta Int'l Adds "Airline-Agnostic" Passenger Lounge

Building on the traditional popularity of airline lounges while also catering to a preponderance of hub and spoke passengers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has opened an independently-operated common-use lounge that offers extra perks to all passengers for a $35 daily access fee.

Managing Leakage

When playing the word association game, "leakage" would likely prompt answers about diapers and plumbing. But leakage appears everywhere. As publishers, we deal with leakage in areas such as circulation and advertising. As you'll discover in this issue, airports deal with leakage, too. We have two stories in this issue involving leakage, and they couldn't be more different from one another.

Plans for Business Park in the Works at Albuquerque Int'l Sunport

When Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) closed its original runway in 2012, the airport's director of aviation, Jim Hinde, saw a distinct bright side. Hinde envisioned the opportunity to redevelop the land and increase the airport's non-airline revenues by establishing a global business incubator. The change in land use, he reasons, will not only enhance the airport's financial stability, but also benefit the city of Albuquerque and state of New Mexico.

DFW Adds Hotel Hospitality to TSA Checkpoint with Help from Marriott

It wouldn't be hyperbole or marketing hype to say that the newly renovated TSA checkpoint at Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) puts most airport screening areas to shame. The 3,000-square-foot screening station in Terminal E features soft music, mood lighting, oversized artwork, a video wall and other style-conscious décor. Beyond the X-ray machines, passengers don't stoop and wobble awkwardly to put on their shoes and repack carry-ons. They sit on plush couches or stand at tall tables in a specially designed "re-composure area."

New Boarding Pass Scanners Guide Passengers to Gates & Concessions at Boston Logan

What began as a digital signage initiative at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) has evolved to include an industry first: boarding pass scanners that help direct passengers to their gates and deliver information about flight updates and concessions' options along the way. The innovative wayfinding/flight information/marketing combo is not only improving the passenger experience at BOS, it's also inspiring airports around the country to follow suit.

Web-Based Booking Agent Presents Discounted Parking Competition in 70+ Markets

There's a new parking competitor nipping at the heels of airports throughout the United States, but there are no new lots or facilities in sight. The company, Greenbee Parking, books travelers into parking lots at hotels and existing facilities run by off-airport operators via its website, Greenbeeparking.com - at rates ranging anywhere from 30% to 75% less than airport prices. Passengers pay in advance, bring a printed copy of their online confirmation to the participating lot and ride the hotel or off-site operator's shuttle to and from the airport.

Featured Video

Digital Issue:

July/August Digital Issue

Connect

Twitter



Publisher's Blog

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

# # #

Industry Insider

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

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...
more >>

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #


# # #
 

# # #