A Powerful PR Tool
I’m always hunting for good airport stories. And my searches regularly involve scoping out airport websites. Like airports, it’s safe to say that when you’ve seen one airport website, you’ve seen just that—one website.
Sometimes it feels like basic information is displayed on a need-to-know basis. Finding a point of contact, phone number or other crucial details is challenging, if not impossible. Other sites haven’t been updated in years.
In the glass-is-half-full category, there are some airport websites that truly dazzle me. Each click is like unwrapping a box with multiple presents inside.
Recently, Gerald R. Ford International unveiled its new Elevate website at https://flyford.org/elevate/. It was specifically designed to provide information on projects in the airport’s capital expansion program. Not only is the website graphically appealing, but it really hits the mark on delivering pertinent information.
How is it different? Projects profiled start with a timeline, a description of what is going to happen, and the justification for undertaking each project. How the project will be paid for is also addressed. Next come the benefits to travelers. Also included is one of my favorites: a listing of partners helping the airport with the project and a link to their websites. And all of this is followed by renderings or sketches of what the finished work will look like.
Kudos to GRR for its work on this. I hope more airports follow GRR’s lead on its website enhancement (though some already have this type of coverage). The messaging is appropriate for airport employees, passengers and community members, as well as airport business partners. It’s inclusive for everyone who matters.
P.S. It’s also a good way to let a certain airport publication know about projects that might make great stories in a future issue!
Cheers,
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.
Recent Industry Insider columns
Digital Issue:
Connect
Publisher's Blog
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Industry Insider
Project Nominations
Know of a project that should be covered in a future issue of Airport Improvement?
Artscapes
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Airport Industry Headlines
- Tucson International Airport Records Busiest Month since March 2008
- Austin-Bergstrom celebrates start of construction on key Journey With AUS expansion project
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport Launches Accessibility Initiative MagnusCards
- British Airways Begins Twice-daily Flights to London from San Diego International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson to Enforce Access Restrictions Around the Clock
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Airside Projects
- New Apron Lighting Resolves Glaring Issues at Dallas Love Field
- Florida’s Statewide Markings Program Evolves
- Lincoln Airport Takes Creative Route to Adding New Leisure Service
- New Taxiway at Myrtle Beach Int’l Improves Airfield Safety, Frees Space for Terminal Expansion
- Tampa Int’l Plots New Course to Enhance Airfield Safety
Baggage Projects
- Rapidly Growing Volume of Oversized Baggage Prompts System Redesign at Salt Lake City Int’l
- Columbia Metropolitan Upgrades Baggage System and Ticketing Lobby
- Long Beach Airport Adds Permanent Checked Baggage Inspection System and Improves Ticketing Building
- New Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor Features Advanced Baggage Handling System
- New Baggage System at Orlando Int’l Features Individual Totes and Upper-Level Claim Area
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Cargo Projects
- Spokane Int’l Builds Rail-Truck Facility on Surplus Land
- Halifax Stanfield Builds Cargo Park With Cold Chain Capabilities
- Extensive Cargo Growth at Cincinnati Int’l Boosts Revenues, Diversifies Business Base
- FedEx Expands at Ontario Int’l to Support Growing E-Commerce Demand
- Winnipeg Int’l Adds Multiuse Facility to Enhance Cargo Operations
Concessions/Retail Projects
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Emergency Operations Projects
- Decatur Airport Builds New Facility for Firefighting and Maintenance Teams
- Naples Airport Recovers After Hurricane Ian’s Saltwater Storm Surge
- Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
- Hybrid Fire Station at San José Int’l Provides Emergency Services for Airport and Surrounding Area
- New Facility at Coastal Carolina Regional Consolidates ARFF Ops, Boosts Efficiency
Environment/Sustainability Projects
- Toronto City Airport Leads the Move to Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam
- New Noise Technology System at Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Earns Patent
- Martha’s Vineyard Airport Tests Underground Filtration for PFAS Contamination
- Santa Maria Airport Takes Common Sense Approach to PFAS Testing
- Philadelphia Int’l Follows Envision Program for Major Taxiway Rehab
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Fuel Operations Projects
General Aviation Projects
Ground Support Projects
- Montgomery Regional Leaps Into the Future With Electric Aircraft Chargers
- Exterior Jet Bridge Coating Saves Energy, Increases Passenger Comfort at Harry Reid Int’l
- O’Hare Moves Aircraft Deicing From Gates to High-Tech Centralized Facility
- Ground Power Upgrades in the Works at Newark Int’l
- Long Beach Airport & Airline Partners Phase Out Fossil Fuels for Ground Support Equipment
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Hangar Projects
IT/Communications Projects
- Website Platform Helps Airports Attract More Customers
- Virtual Ramp System at Kansas City Int’l Provides 360-Degree View of Airfield
- Interactive Web Page Offers Planning Tools for Memphis Int’l Travelers
- Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Invests in Data Management Upgrade
- Philadelphia Int’l is Updating - and Monetizing - Its Information Technology Network
Landside Development Projects
Operations Projects
- Terminal Expansion at Kansas City Int’l Prompts New Snow Removal Strategy and Equipment
- New Glycol Recycling Facility at Syracuse Hancock Int’l Produces Deicing Fluid Certified for Reuse
- Drones and Virtual Reality Speed Control Tower Siting at Boulder City Municipal
- St. Louis Int’l Looks to Future With Master Plan Projects to Consolidated Terminals
- Sweet Charity: Airports Large and Small Open Their Facilities to Support Local Fundraisers
Parking Projects
- Sarasota-Bradenton Int’l Adds New Cellphone Lot With Improved Amenities
- Flagstaff Pulliam Implements Paid Parking Program
- New 7-Level Garage Increases Parking Capacity and Convenience for Customers
- Regina Int’l Optimizes Parking with 24/7 Call Center and On-site Customer Service Reps
- Canyonlands Regional Upgrades its Parking Payment/Collections System
Passenger Transport Projects
- Plane Train Extension is on Track for 2025 Delivery at Atlanta Int’l
- “Wingless Travel” Takes Flight at Regional Airports
- Inductive Charging for Electric Shuttles
- Winnipeg Int’l Launches Self-Driving Wheelchair Service
- Long-Awaited Rail Extension Is Just the Ticket to Spur Growth at Washington Dulles
Runway/Ramp Projects
- Vancouver Int’l Turns Untimely Winter Storms Into Opportunity for Improvement
- Airports Apply Heavy Surface Treatment to Increase Service Life of Asphalt Runways
- Round-the-Clock Work Helps Cheyenne Regional Finish Paving Project On Time
- Finish Line in Sight at St. Louis Lambert Int’l
- Pangborn Memorial Readies for Bigger, Greener Future With Apron Expansion
Security Projects
- Automated Exit Safeguards and Welcomes Passengers Arriving at Oakland Int’l
- Miami Int’l Tests Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Deterrence Technologies
- New Terminal Connector/TSA Checkpoint Eliminates Passenger Flow Problems at Lehigh Valley Int’l
- Philadelphia Int’l Installs Biometric Facial Recognition at 25 Gates
- Miami Int’l Serves as TSA Test Site for Technologies to Help Detect Drones
Terminal Projects
- Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
- Massive Restroom Renovations in Progress at Miami Int’l
- Waco Regional Uses CARES Act Funds for Terminal Renovation Project
- New Terminal Connector Improves Passenger Accessibility at Los Angeles Int’l
- Watertown Regional Builds Old-School Charm Into New Terminal
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