Current Issue...

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.
READ MORE
Terminal Expansion at Kansas City Int’l Prompts New Snow Removal Strategy and Equipment
Terminal Expansion at Kansas City Int’l Prompts New Snow Removal Strategy and Equipment
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) recently underwent a transformative expansion, not only reshaping its terminal but also nearly tripling the size of its apron. In true domino fashion, those improvements created the need for a whole new approach to snow removal.
READ MORE
New Glycol Recycling Facility at Syracuse Hancock Int’l Produces Deicing Fluid Certified for Reuse
A new glycol recycling facility opened at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) featuring first-of-its-kind deicing technology for the United States.
READ MORE
Vancouver Int’l Turns Untimely Winter Storms Into Opportunity for Improvement
Vancouver Int’l Turns Untimely Winter Storms Into Opportunity for Improvement
Staff members at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia refer to the experience almost cryptically as “the Four Days in December.” And it’s as ominous as it sounds.
READ MORE
LaGuardia’s New Chase Sapphire Lounge is a Rare Gem
LaGuardia’s New Chase Sapphire Lounge is a Rare Gem
Designers and planners who created the luxe Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York “went for gold” regarding aesthetics, amenities and overall building standards. And they seem to have succeeded on all accounts.
READ MORE
Sarasota-Bradenton Int’l Adds New Cellphone Lot With Improved Amenities
Sarasota-Bradenton Int’l Adds New Cellphone Lot With Improved Amenities
The rapid growth at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)—a whopping 230% increase in passenger volume in the last five years—has brought smiles to the faces of management. But it also created an associated increase in vehicle traffic that caused curbside congestion at the terminal.
READ MORE
Massive Restroom Renovations in Progress at Miami Int’l
Massive Restroom Renovations in Progress at Miami Int’l
Miami International Airport (MIA) is undergoing a comprehensive renovation of more than 200 restrooms. The effort, slated for completion by 2030, is just one component of a larger future-ready capital initiative created under Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to modernize MIA.
READ MORE
Montgomery Regional Leaps Into the Future With Electric Aircraft Chargers
Montgomery Regional Leaps Into the Future With Electric Aircraft Chargers
Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) in Alabama claimed a spot in aviation history this February as one of the first U.S. airports to open a station with state-of-the-art chargers for electric aircraft.
READ MORE
Website Platform Helps Airports Attract More Customers
Website Platform Helps Airports Attract More Customers
Growth can be elusive for any airport, especially small ones that suffer “leakage”—the loss of customers to larger nearby airports.
READ MORE
Danville Regional Renovates Terminal and Ramp
Danville Regional Renovates Terminal and Ramp
A new Caesars casino and hotel scheduled to open later this year near Danville Regional (DAN) has created a good news/bad news situation for the southern Virginia airport.
READ MORE
Waco Regional Uses CARES Act Funds for Terminal Renovation Project
Waco Regional Uses CARES Act Funds for Terminal Renovation Project
Waco Regional Airport (ACT)—located smack dab between Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) and Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW)—is making airport-wide investments to ensure that it will be able to continue meeting customer demand in central Texas.
READ MORE
Drones and Virtual Reality Speed Control Tower Siting at Boulder City Municipal
Drones and Virtual Reality Speed Control Tower Siting at Boulder City Municipal
Coping with such change is essential, but staying ahead of it is ideal.
READ MORE
All-Star Art Installations - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
All-Star Art Installations - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
From the moment airline passengers deplane, they see photos of NBA players and branded graphics everywhere—with plenty of spots for selfies.
READ MORE
New Terminal Connector Improves Passenger Accessibility at Los Angeles Int’l
New Terminal Connector Improves Passenger Accessibility at Los Angeles Int’l
Los Angeles World Airports and Delta Air Lines have opened the final phases of their joint Delta Sky Way project at Los Angeles International Airport, a combined investment of $2.3 billion to revitalize one of the airline’s key hubs.
READ MORE
Rapidly Growing Volume of Oversized Baggage Prompts System Redesign at Salt Lake City Int’l
Rapidly Growing Volume of Oversized Baggage Prompts System Redesign at Salt Lake City Int’l
Snowbird. Deer Valley. Park City. The natural peaks around Salt Lake City that create sought-after runs for skiers also create problematic peak days for oversized baggage at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
READ MORE
Pause

Tampa Int'l Installs New IP-based Video Surveillance System

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is seeing things more clearly these days, thanks to the recent installation of a new video surveillance system that virtually covers the airport from landside to airside. The $10 million project converted the airport's previous analog system to an enterprise-class Internet Protocol (IP)-based system, explains Safraz Samad, TPA's manager of access control and CCTV (closed-circuit television).

Midway's New Consolidated Rental Car Center Relieves Terminal Congestion & Delivers Green Benefits

Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) created a new traffic pattern for travelers who rent vehicles with construction of a $55 million consolidated rental car center.

Clinton National Debuts, With Future Improvements Already Charted

Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) - formerly known as Little Rock National Airport - recently celebrated its name change honoring the 42nd U.S. president and 67th secretary of state, complete with appearances by both politicians. The Arkansas airport also marked the substantial completion of the first phase of its long-term development. And while the specific timeline for future improvements is not yet known, the design and intent of its growth are well defined.

Telluride Regional Invests in Extensive Runway & Airfield Improvements

Located 9,070 feet above sea level at the top of the Deep Creek Mesa, Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) in Colorado is the highest commercial airport in United States. Thanks to a $50 million, multi-phase runway and airfield improvement project, operations there are safer than ever as the airport prepares for measured growth.

Refurbish or Rebuild?

The question to rebuild or refurbish is one that vexes nearly every airport at one time or another. Most need to undertake a significant terminal project about every 25 years to keep up with changes in aircraft size, security policies, ticketing or baggage processes and concessions trends, says Stephen Harrill, vice president, aviation service group leader for RS&H.

Change Before You Have To

Usually, our trade associations are very literal reflections of who we are. But recent proposals from ACC, AAAE and ACI-NA are creating a bit of a stir. Airports are, after all, heavily regulated creatures of government origins. The status quo has deep roots in our industry, and often for good reason. But sometimes, a fresh, new approach is just what's needed.

The Name Game

Do you think the politicians in charge ever consider marketing potential when choosing a name for one of their community's most prized possessions? An airport name is too valuable of a commodity to waste on obscure dead leaders. It's one of the most powerful marketing tools an airport has at its disposal ... and it's free!

So What?

When I hear about new advances in IT, my typical response is "So what?". New technology comes out on a daily basis. A steady stream of new iPhones, Facebook pages and web streaming propositions has made us numb to what is truly new and helpful. What's new may not always be relevant to what my needs are. Hence, I subject them to the "So what?" test. If they don't provide something I really need, or allow me to do something much faster, I'll pass.

Don't Wait for FAA to Mandate Implementation of Safety Management System

When I was learning to fly, we were taught to scan the horizon to see and avoid other aircraft. As an industry, we need to improve our scanning techniques to see and avoid safety hazards on the airfield. Safety Management System (SMS) implementation will help us improve hazard awareness, the ability to set appropriate priorities and our decision-making processes and practices.

Rickenbacker Int'l: An Economic Engine by Air, Rail & Road

While most airports are more than just airplanes and runways, Ohio's Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) stretches the usual format further than most. In addition to cargo, military and passenger services, it also includes rail and trucking. As such, the airport is a key component of the Rickenbacker Inland Port - one of the largest integrated logistics complexes in the United States.

Pages

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.

 

Featured Video

Clinton National Debuts, With Future Improvements Already Charted

Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) - formerly known as Little Rock National Airport - recently celebrated its name change honoring the 42nd U.S. president and 67th secretary of state, complete with appearances by both politicians. The Arkansas airport also marked the substantial completion of the first phase of its long-term development. And while the specific timeline for future improvements is not yet known, the design and intent of its growth are well defined.

Telluride Regional Invests in Extensive Runway & Airfield Improvements

Located 9,070 feet above sea level at the top of the Deep Creek Mesa, Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) in Colorado is the highest commercial airport in United States. Thanks to a $50 million, multi-phase runway and airfield improvement project, operations there are safer than ever as the airport prepares for measured growth.

Refurbish or Rebuild?

The question to rebuild or refurbish is one that vexes nearly every airport at one time or another. Most need to undertake a significant terminal project about every 25 years to keep up with changes in aircraft size, security policies, ticketing or baggage processes and concessions trends, says Stephen Harrill, vice president, aviation service group leader for RS&H.

Change Before You Have To

Usually, our trade associations are very literal reflections of who we are. But recent proposals from ACC, AAAE and ACI-NA are creating a bit of a stir. Airports are, after all, heavily regulated creatures of government origins. The status quo has deep roots in our industry, and often for good reason. But sometimes, a fresh, new approach is just what's needed.

The Name Game

Do you think the politicians in charge ever consider marketing potential when choosing a name for one of their community's most prized possessions? An airport name is too valuable of a commodity to waste on obscure dead leaders. It's one of the most powerful marketing tools an airport has at its disposal ... and it's free!

So What?

When I hear about new advances in IT, my typical response is "So what?". New technology comes out on a daily basis. A steady stream of new iPhones, Facebook pages and web streaming propositions has made us numb to what is truly new and helpful. What's new may not always be relevant to what my needs are. Hence, I subject them to the "So what?" test. If they don't provide something I really need, or allow me to do something much faster, I'll pass.

Don't Wait for FAA to Mandate Implementation of Safety Management System

When I was learning to fly, we were taught to scan the horizon to see and avoid other aircraft. As an industry, we need to improve our scanning techniques to see and avoid safety hazards on the airfield. Safety Management System (SMS) implementation will help us improve hazard awareness, the ability to set appropriate priorities and our decision-making processes and practices.

Rickenbacker Int'l: An Economic Engine by Air, Rail & Road

While most airports are more than just airplanes and runways, Ohio's Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) stretches the usual format further than most. In addition to cargo, military and passenger services, it also includes rail and trucking. As such, the airport is a key component of the Rickenbacker Inland Port - one of the largest integrated logistics complexes in the United States.

Tampa Int'l Tests Food Truck Concessions in Cell Phone Lot

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is scheduled to launch an eagerly anticipated concessions redevelopment program next year, but that hasn't precluded it from offering some of the trendiest eats in the Bay Area in the meantime. Customers just have to venture outside to find them.

More Airports Opening Compressed Natural Gas Stations to Public

In the early days of automobiles, motorists had to seek out hardware stores, blacksmith shops and even pharmacies to fuel their tanks with a petrochemical product that was primarily used as a solvent. In fact, the nation's first drive-through gasoline station didn't open in Pittsburgh until 1913.

Featured Video

Digital Issue:

March/April Digital Issue

Connect

Twitter



Publisher's Blog

What’s Your Claim to Fame?
The great thing is that you can determine your airport’s claim to fame.
more >>

# # #

Industry Insider

Empathy is Key to Effectively Working with the Media
Skilled external affairs professionals are equal parts communication experts, trend analysts and matchmakers.
more >>

Project Nominations

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

Artscapes

All-Star Art Installations - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
All-Star Art Installations - Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
From the moment airline passengers deplane, they see photos of NBA players and branded graphics everywhere—with plenty...
more >>

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #


# # #
 

# # #