Current Issue...

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
Harry Reid Int’l Tests Self-Service Checkpoint
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.
READ MORE
Safety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline Sector
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.
READ MORE
Historic Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Int’l to Move Commercial Flights From Day to Night
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.
READ MORE
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Completes Five-Gate Addition
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.
READ MORE
New ARFF Facility Boosts Efficiency, Paves Way for New Terminal at Monterey Regional
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.
READ MORE
Punta Gorda Closes Runway, Powers Through Rebuild Project
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.
READ MORE
Moving Walkways Replace Decades-Old Monorail at Tampa Int’l
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.
READ MORE
New Outdoor Deck Relieves Passenger Congestion at Charlottetown Airport
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.
READ MORE
Southwest Hangar Complex at Gulf Shores Int’l is Full
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.
READ MORE
Hawaii Provides State-Owned Airports with Online Platform for Environmental Systems Management
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.
READ MORE
Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
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.
READ MORE
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
Pause

Construction Projects Abound at Paine Field

The recent $8 million reconstruction of the general aviation runway at Snohomish County Airport, aka Paine Field (PAE), is not the facility's largest project by a long shot, but it was important nevertheless. Located about 30 miles north of Seattle in Everett, WA, the airport houses flight departments for the Boeing Company and a number of its key subcontractors. But 650 other entities and individuals base aircraft there as well.

How Austin-Bergstrom Int'l Readies for Race Day

When Formula 1 racing returned to the United States in 2012 after a five-year absence, it drew 265,000 fans to the Circuit of the Americas complex in Austin, TX - a new 1,500-acre facility built just two miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Needless to say, the Class-C international airport located in Texas' capital was central to the global event and its unique travel logistics.

Buffalo Int'l Boosts Website Visibility to Push Back Parking Competitors

Airports have a new tool in their arsenal to keep off-airport parking providers at bay: search engine optimization (SEO), a method of improving an airport's website performance by improving the order in which it pops up during "natural" or unpaid Internet searches. Generally speaking, appearing as early and as often as possible increases an airport's chances of potential customers clicking on its website instead of a competitor's.

Houston Intercontinental & United Wrap Up First Phase of $1 Billion Terminal Project

The Houston Airport System and United Airlines have taken their public-private partnership to a whole new level with construction of a new concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). At a total cost of nearly $150 million, the South Concourse of Terminal B was completed in two distinct, yet interrelated, projects: United funded the $97 million vertical structure; and the Houston Airport System funded its $52 million apron, ramp and utilities infrastructure work. Together, the projects create a 30-gate facility that allows United to consolidate the majority of its regional jet oper

Their Point Has Nothing to Do With Facts

The Hill, which reports on Congress and Capitol Hill, recently released its picks for Top 10 lobbying victories of 2013. Care to guess who logged in at #4? It was Airlines for America, for helping spur Congress to compel the FAA to keep control towers operating despite mandated sequestration cuts - a move that diverted vital funds from the Airport Improvement Program.

Gateway Airport Fixes Freeway Signage Problems

Passengers have been flocking to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in droves for the past few years. But until recently, many had trouble finding it. With just one sign on the freeway, guests would often exit prematurely or miss the airport exit altogether. GPS units weren't much help either, as mapping agencies have had difficulty keeping current with rapid development in the area.

To PPP or Not to PPP, That is the Question

Query: What do LaGuardia, Santiago International, Chicago Midway, Gary/Chicago International and Iqaluit Airport have in common? Answer: They are all contemplating some form of private/public partnership (PPP)

Runway Rehab Benefits Military & Civilian Traffic

Airmen and civilians flying aircraft into Joint Base Charleston via Runway 15-33 have had smoother landings since the rehabilitated runway opened in August. The main 9,000-foot runway, owned by the U.S. Air Force, serves both the 437th Airlift Wing and Charleston International Airport (CHS).

Parking Reservations Go Viral at Vancouver Int'l

Following in the successful footsteps of U.K. airports that fundamentally changed the way patrons park, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has introduced pre-booking options that have already doubled its online parking reservations.

Chicago Airports Forge New Territory with Mandatory Green Standards for Concessionaires

When it comes to long-term sustainability, it's one thing to talk the talk and quite another to walk the walk. That said, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is boldly striding where no other airport authority has gone by extending its green policies to airport concessionaires.

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

Buffalo Int'l Boosts Website Visibility to Push Back Parking Competitors

Airports have a new tool in their arsenal to keep off-airport parking providers at bay: search engine optimization (SEO), a method of improving an airport's website performance by improving the order in which it pops up during "natural" or unpaid Internet searches. Generally speaking, appearing as early and as often as possible increases an airport's chances of potential customers clicking on its website instead of a competitor's.

Houston Intercontinental & United Wrap Up First Phase of $1 Billion Terminal Project

The Houston Airport System and United Airlines have taken their public-private partnership to a whole new level with construction of a new concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). At a total cost of nearly $150 million, the South Concourse of Terminal B was completed in two distinct, yet interrelated, projects: United funded the $97 million vertical structure; and the Houston Airport System funded its $52 million apron, ramp and utilities infrastructure work. Together, the projects create a 30-gate facility that allows United to consolidate the majority of its regional jet oper

Their Point Has Nothing to Do With Facts

The Hill, which reports on Congress and Capitol Hill, recently released its picks for Top 10 lobbying victories of 2013. Care to guess who logged in at #4? It was Airlines for America, for helping spur Congress to compel the FAA to keep control towers operating despite mandated sequestration cuts - a move that diverted vital funds from the Airport Improvement Program.

Gateway Airport Fixes Freeway Signage Problems

Passengers have been flocking to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in droves for the past few years. But until recently, many had trouble finding it. With just one sign on the freeway, guests would often exit prematurely or miss the airport exit altogether. GPS units weren't much help either, as mapping agencies have had difficulty keeping current with rapid development in the area.

To PPP or Not to PPP, That is the Question

Query: What do LaGuardia, Santiago International, Chicago Midway, Gary/Chicago International and Iqaluit Airport have in common? Answer: They are all contemplating some form of private/public partnership (PPP)

Runway Rehab Benefits Military & Civilian Traffic

Airmen and civilians flying aircraft into Joint Base Charleston via Runway 15-33 have had smoother landings since the rehabilitated runway opened in August. The main 9,000-foot runway, owned by the U.S. Air Force, serves both the 437th Airlift Wing and Charleston International Airport (CHS).

Parking Reservations Go Viral at Vancouver Int'l

Following in the successful footsteps of U.K. airports that fundamentally changed the way patrons park, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has introduced pre-booking options that have already doubled its online parking reservations.

Chicago Airports Forge New Territory with Mandatory Green Standards for Concessionaires

When it comes to long-term sustainability, it's one thing to talk the talk and quite another to walk the walk. That said, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is boldly striding where no other airport authority has gone by extending its green policies to airport concessionaires.

Oil Boom Creates Bonanza for North Dakota Airports

Until recently, North Dakota was largely considered a "flyover" state. Then its ample reserves of shale oil became a hot commodity, and now it's more of a "fly to" destination.

Airport Restrooms: Often Overlooked, but Seldom Forgotten

Airport visitors use many different names for restrooms - loo, privy, lav, water closet - but few mince words about poorly designed or ill-equipped facilities. Whatever they call them, restrooms are often the first place guests visit when arriving at an airport and their last stop before departing.

Featured Video

Digital Issue:

May/June Digital Issue

Connect

Twitter



Publisher's Blog

What’s in a Name?
I’m all for improving our airports. But do new names necessarily make them better?
more >>

# # #

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.
more >>

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)
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...
more >>

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #


# # #
 

# # #