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.
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Project Nominations
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Airport Industry Headlines
- Aerosimple Announces Contract with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to Revolutionize Aviation Security Compliance Monitoring and Oversight of 3rd Party Security Partners
- UNITED AIRLINES’ NON-STOP FLIGHTS BETWEEN LEXINGTON AND DENVER BEGIN AT BLUE GRASS AIRPORT
- Record-Breaking Summer: 15.3 Million Passengers Set New Milestones
- CVG Airport testing new, solar-powered system to meet FAA’s new safety requirements
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport welcomes newest international airline, Viva Aerobus, offering nonstop service to Monterrey, Mexico
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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
- 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
- Experience Pays Off in Fourth Baggage Inspection System Project at Fort Lauderdale Int’l
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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
- New Beauty Concept Store at JFK Int’l Caters to Style-Conscious Passengers
- Albuquerque Sunport Adds More Local Flavor
- New Concessions Option at Indianapolis Int’l Showcases Hoosier-Grown Specialties
- Luxe Common-Use Lounge is Becoming a Fixture at Fort Lauderdale Int’l
- Raleigh-Durham Int’l Opens Industry’s First Multi-Restaurant Ghost Kitchen
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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
- St. Louis Int’l Removes All Underground Fuel Tanks
- Expanded Fuel Station Meets Heavy Demand at Greenville-Spartanburg Int’l
- Nueces County Airport Installs New Fuel Tanks and Dispensing Station
- New Hydrant System Will Boost Fueling Efficiency and Safety at LaGuardia Terminal B
- Fuel Farm Improvements Position Eisenhower Nat’l for Further Growth
General Aviation Projects
Ground Support Projects
- 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
- Columbus Int’l Installs System to Tighten Accountability & Efficiency of Ground Transportation Providers
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Hangar Projects
IT/Communications Projects
- 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
- LaGuardia and Toronto Pearson Int’l Leverage Passenger Tracking Software to Manage Queues, Improve Flow
Landside Development Projects
Operations Projects
- Early ORAT Process Helps Des Moines Int’l Create Plan for Opening Day Success
- Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Emphasizes Compassion Regarding Homeless People in Terminal
- Baltimore/Washington Int’l Updates Concourse D With Custom Ceiling and New HVAC System
- Planning and Poise Under Pressure Help Sun Valley/Friedman Memorial Manage Traffic Surge for Elite Business Retreat
- Syracuse Int’l Establishes In-House Police Department
Parking Projects
- 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
- Los Angeles Int’l Adds New Economy Parking Facility
- Parking Expansion and Enhancements at San Jose Int’l
Passenger Transport Projects
- 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
- Deeper Partnerships Yield Additional Advertising Revenue at Ontario Int’l
- Bradley Int’l Builds New Ground Transportation Center
Runway/Ramp Projects
- Finish Line in Sight at St. Louis Lambert Int’l
- Pangborn Memorial Readies for Bigger, Greener Future With Apron Expansion
- San Francisco Int’l Expedites Project to Repave Runway and Replace Lighting
- Toronto Pearson Int’l Sees Benefits of Runway Rehab Project
- New Parking Ramp at Raleigh-Durham Int’l Full From Day One
Security Projects
- 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
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Pioneers Field Assessment of TSA Mobile ID
- Innovation Checkpoint at Harry Reid Int’l Provides Proving Ground for New Screening Technologies
Terminal Projects
- O’Hare Unveils Larger, More Modern Terminal 5
- Barkley Regional Replaces Outdated Terminal With New Facility Packed With Upgrades
- Kennedy Int’l Begins $19 Billion Transformation by Revamping Terminal 8
- New Terminal Brings Columbia Regional Up to Date
- Nashville Int’l Expands Central Terminal with New Grand Lobby
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