Current Issue...

Expanded Fuel Station Meets Heavy Demand at Greenville-Spartanburg Int’l
Expanded Fuel Station Meets Heavy Demand at Greenville-Spartanburg Int’l
Three years ago, officials at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) had a big challenge that needed to be addressed relatively quickly. The South Carolina airport had an ever-increasing demand for fuel, and its existing storage tanks could no longer meet that demand.
READ MORE
New Centralized Deicing Facility Keeps Passengers and Packages Moving at Memphis Int’l
New Centralized Deicing Facility Keeps Passengers and Packages Moving at Memphis Int’l
Christmas came a little early at Memphis International (MEM) in Tennessee. The nation’s busiest cargo handling airport opened a centralized deicing facility (CDF) on Nov. 15, 2022, just in time for the busy holiday shipping and travel season.
READ MORE
Snow Ops Team at Buffalo Int’l Tended to Pavement and People During Brutal Christmas Blizzard
Snow Ops Team at Buffalo Int’l Tended to Pavement and People During Brutal Christmas Blizzard
The snow removal team at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is nationally recognized as one of the best in the business, with impressive credentials including 10 Balchen/Post Awards for excellence in snow and ice control.
READ MORE
Seattle-Tacoma Int’l UPgrades Facilities With Multibillion-Dollar Capital Campaign
To keep pace with growth, SEA is investing more than $4.6 billion over the next five years on projects designed to upgrade facilities and elevate the passenger experience. It’s all part of a long-term capital campaign called Upgrade SEA. The challenge, however, is space.
READ MORE
Philadelphia Int’l Installs Biometric Facial Recognition at 25 Gates
Philadelphia Int’l Installs Biometric Facial Recognition at 25 Gates
While biometrics initiatives had already emerged in the 1990s, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred more passengers to want additional low-touch and touch-free options. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) took this to heart and commissioned facial recognition technology at 25 boarding gates.
READ MORE
Luxe Common-Use Lounge is Becoming a Fixture at Fort Lauderdale Int’l
Luxe Common-Use Lounge is Becoming a Fixture at Fort Lauderdale Int’l
When Mark Gale took the reins at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in early 2016, the newly inaugurated chief executive officer began presiding over a facility that was home to several airlines, yet hub to none.
READ MORE
Winnipeg Int’l Launches Self-Driving Wheelchair Service
Winnipeg Int’l Launches Self-Driving Wheelchair Service
After nearly three years of testing, Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG) in Manitoba formally launched free autonomous wheelchair service to passengers in early December 2022, marking a first for North American airports.
READ MORE
Southwest Builds Maintenance Hangar at Denver Int’l
Southwest Builds Maintenance Hangar at Denver Int’l
In aviation and architecture, the horizon is ever distant. At Denver International Airport (DEN), sightlines are clear, and the future looks bright. Southwest Airlines’ new hangar, which opened on the eastern edge of the airfield in March 2022, represents a $100 million investment of permanence.
READ MORE
Onsite Lab at Toronto Pearson Int’l Tests Early Warning System for Infectious Diseases
Onsite Lab at Toronto Pearson Int’l Tests Early Warning System for Infectious Diseases
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is taking a new industry-leading step by piloting a new kind of testing strategy—one that doesn’t involve swabbing the noses of passengers or airport workers.
READ MORE
El Paso Int’l Invests in On-Airport Research and Manufacturing
El Paso Int’l Invests in On-Airport Research and Manufacturing
El Paso, TX, is mounting a comeback as a key U.S. manufacturing hub, and El Paso International Airport (ELP) is leading the charge.
READ MORE
Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
The new 20,865-square-foot, single-story ARFF facility at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is about three times larger than its predecessor. The station it replaced was more than 50 years old and not designed to be staffed around-the-clock.
READ MORE
Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
The magic of air travel is alive and well at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas.
READ MORE
Vancouver Int’l Expands Int’l Pier to Accommodate More Passengers
Vancouver Int’l Expands Int’l Pier to Accommodate More Passengers
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) opened its Pier D expansion in June 2022, adding eight new international wide-body departure gates. From a practical standpoint, the project was Vancouver Airport Authority’s way of keeping pace with growth in international traffic.
READ MORE
Pause

Philadelphia Int’l Follows Envision Program for Major Taxiway Rehab

Philadelphia Int’l Follows Envision Program for Major Taxiway Rehab
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has embarked on an initiative to calibrate and quantify the impacts of sustainable design and construction throughout its facilities. Using a formalized framework for assessing sustainability, resiliency and equity in civil infrastructure, PHL is contributing to a sea change in the way infrastructure is understood by the people who understand it best.

Fuel Farm Improvements Position Eisenhower Nat’l for Further Growth

Fuel Farm Improvements Position Eisenhower Nat’l for Further Growth
A $5.6 million project to upgrade fuel farm infrastructure at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas was completed this summer without any disruption to operations. The project included phased repairs and upgrades to six 25,000-gallon underground tanks that store jet fuel as well as other system improvements.

Airport Apiaries Foster Crop Pollination, Support Land Stewardship

Airport Apiaries Foster Crop Pollination, Support Land Stewardship
Hosting managed bees on or near airport land can help bring awareness to the importance of pollinators and highlight an airport’s commitment to supporting local agriculture. On a very literal basis, airport beekeeping is a grass roots initiative that promotes healthy communities from the inside out.

Reconstructed Runway is Crowning Achievement in Cullman Regional’s Airfield Overhaul

Reconstructed Runway is Crowning Achievement in Cullman Regional’s Airfield Overhaul
When Ben Harrison became director at Cullman Regional Airport-Folsom Field (CMD) one decade ago, there were several projects that needed his attention. Originally constructed in 1958, the north/south runway had been improved throughout the years, but there were limited records about the work.

Millinocket Municipal Slashes Snow Removal Time

Millinocket Municipal Slashes Snow Removal Time
Winter weather in central Maine has changed significantly over the last few decades, prompting Millinocket Municipal Airport (MLT) to update its snow removal equipment to meet the new airfield maintenance challenges.

Are You Meeting Part 139 Requirements for Airfield Lighting?

Are You Meeting Part 139 Requirements for Airfield Lighting?
Airport operators generally have the misconception that if the lights are on, all is well. Tests, however, show that nothing could be further from the truth. The human eye is simply unable to detect reductions in the photometric performance of working fixtures, and this can potentially have serious safety implications.

Kona Int’l Invests in Future with New Federal Inspection Services Facility and Terminal Upgrades

Kona Int’l Invests in Future with New Federal Inspection Services Facility and Terminal Upgrades
The state of Hawaii has a second permanent international entry point with the $58.7 million Federal Inspection Station completed at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) last fall. The new facility replaces a temporary facility that federal officials said needed to be replaced if the airport wanted to accommodate a steady stream of scheduled international traffic.

Denver Int’l Nearing End of $2.3 Billion Gate Expansion Program

Denver Int’l Nearing End of $2.3 Billion Gate Expansion Program
Denver International Airport (DEN) is moving full speed ahead with Vision 100, its strategic plan to serve 100 million annual passengers within the next 10 years. Phase 1 of the $2.3 billion gate expansion portion is currently underway in four concourses. In total, the expansion will add 39 new gates and increase the airport’s overall capacity by 30%.

Modular Construction Saves Time, Money During Gate Replacement at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l

Modular Construction Saves Time, Money During Gate Replacement at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is reimagining what is possible for terminal construction with four rebuilt gates that opened in June. Known as the “High C Gates,” C35 to 39 were constructed landside, transported across the tarmac and placed precisely on new columns in Terminal C, where crews completed the inside finishes.

Minneapolis-St Paul Int’l Expands and Transforms Concourse

Minneapolis-St Paul Int’l Expands and Transforms Concourse
Concourse G at Minneapolis−St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is bigger and better, thanks to a comprehensive expansion and modernization project that is nearly complete. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP and its relievers, invested $84 million to add a 50,000-square-foot expansion and modernize passenger amenities. Delta Air Lines, its project partner and sole carrier in the concourse, installed updated interior elements such as seating and service counters.

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

Kona Int’l Invests in Future with New Federal Inspection Services Facility and Terminal Upgrades

Kona Int’l Invests in Future with New Federal Inspection Services Facility and Terminal Upgrades
The state of Hawaii has a second permanent international entry point with the $58.7 million Federal Inspection Station completed at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) last fall. The new facility replaces a temporary facility that federal officials said needed to be replaced if the airport wanted to accommodate a steady stream of scheduled international traffic.

Denver Int’l Nearing End of $2.3 Billion Gate Expansion Program

Denver Int’l Nearing End of $2.3 Billion Gate Expansion Program
Denver International Airport (DEN) is moving full speed ahead with Vision 100, its strategic plan to serve 100 million annual passengers within the next 10 years. Phase 1 of the $2.3 billion gate expansion portion is currently underway in four concourses. In total, the expansion will add 39 new gates and increase the airport’s overall capacity by 30%.

Modular Construction Saves Time, Money During Gate Replacement at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l

Modular Construction Saves Time, Money During Gate Replacement at Dallas Fort Worth Int’l
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is reimagining what is possible for terminal construction with four rebuilt gates that opened in June. Known as the “High C Gates,” C35 to 39 were constructed landside, transported across the tarmac and placed precisely on new columns in Terminal C, where crews completed the inside finishes.

Minneapolis-St Paul Int’l Expands and Transforms Concourse

Minneapolis-St Paul Int’l Expands and Transforms Concourse
Concourse G at Minneapolis−St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is bigger and better, thanks to a comprehensive expansion and modernization project that is nearly complete. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP and its relievers, invested $84 million to add a 50,000-square-foot expansion and modernize passenger amenities. Delta Air Lines, its project partner and sole carrier in the concourse, installed updated interior elements such as seating and service counters.

New Rental Car Center at Columbus Int’l Improves Experience for Passengers, Rental Companies

New Rental Car Center at Columbus Int’l Improves Experience for Passengers, Rental Companies
In one fell swoop, John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio made it easier for travelers to pick up/return rental cars, improved efficiency for rental companies and gained 1,700 parking spaces. How did it achieve this operational trifecta? By building a new $134 million rental car center that was funded by customer facility charges instituted back in 2007.

Central Wisconsin Airport Takes First Step in Decoupling Runways

Central Wisconsin Airport Takes First Step in Decoupling Runways
The $14 million runway reconstruction that Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) completed last fall not only rebuilt its 53-year-old runway. The project also sets the stage for another airfield project that will improve safety and help ensure future viability of the airport. Runway 17-35 dates back to 1974, five years after CWA was originally constructed and opened.

Final Stage of Train System Project at Phoenix Sky Harbor Connects to Rental Car Center

Final Stage of Train System Project at Phoenix Sky Harbor Connects to Rental Car Center
Sometimes a successful project is as much about what is lost as what is gained. That’s the case for the PHX Sky Train® Stage 2 Extension at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which will open later this year. If the first two stages of the PHX Sky Train® project are any indication, there will be one big gain: a notable rise in customer satisfaction.

Punta Gorda Airport Expands General Aviation Facilities

Punta Gorda Airport Expands General Aviation Facilities
A major expansion project catering to the needs of general aviation traffic is well underway at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in southwestern Florida. By relocating existing general aviation and FBO activities away from the main terminal area, the airport also will relieve congestion and create more room for commercial airliners.

Stennis Int’l Adds Hangar Space to Help Boost Local Economy

Stennis Int’l Adds Hangar Space to Help Boost Local Economy
There’s nothing ordinary about the traffic at Stennis International Airport (HSA) in southwestern Mississippi, so it stands to reason that many of its facilities are unconventional as well. Located near several U.S. military installations, the airport’s sole 8,498-foot runway is frequently used for pilot and equipment testing. Usually twice a week, HSA shuts off the airfield lighting so pilots from Keesler Air Force Base, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard can practice flying C-130J transport aircraft with night vision goggles.

Felts Field, Centennial Airport Share Their Master Planning Strategies

Felts Field, Centennial Airport Share Their Master Planning Strategies
Just like their commercial counterparts, general aviation airports need to participate in the FAA master planning process to keep federal funds flowing. Denver’s Centennial Airport and Spokane’s Felts Field recently took two very different routes to get to the same place: a 20-year plan for capital improvements.

Featured Video

Connect

Twitter



Publisher's Blog

Mission Accomplished
Planning for March/April’s issue started last fall, and many stories were assigned around Thanksgiving.
more >>

Sponsor


# # #

Industry Insider

Addressing Airport Cybersecurity and Technology Resiliency Just Became More Urgent
Bad actors have the motivation and means to knock airport operations offline.
more >>

Project Nominations

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

Artscapes

Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Flight 123 on UtopiAir Now Boarding for Shangri-La - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
The magic of air travel is alive and well at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas.
more >>

Sponsor


# # #

Sponsor


# # #

Sponsor


# # #

Sponsor


# # #

Sponsor


# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #

# # #


# # #
 

# # #