ECONOMICS & FINANCE
The development of airport cities can help future-proof airports post COVID-19, according to a white paper issued today by consultants, NACO. The white paper reports that, with almost 90% of airports revenues being passenger-related, there is a clear need for airports to diversify their revenue streams in order to reduce both revenue volatility and the […]
S&P Global Ratings today lowered the ratings on four European airports/associated companies (and a further two CreditWatch revisions) as the rating agency anticipates a slower recovery in passenger traffic than first anticipated. The four downgrades are: • Royal Schiphol Group NV (Schiphol). Ratings to ‘A’ from ‘A+’ • Flughafen Zurich AG. Ratings to ‘A’ from […]
Edmonton International Airport’s Airport City continues to grow with the news that manufacturing company, Plant Plus, will shortly become its newest tenant. The company specialises in making plant fibre polymer tech (PFP tech) products such as cups, straws and mobile phone cases that are recyclable and compostable alternatives to plastic or paper. According to Edmonton […]
Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, has received a SEK3.15 billion cash injection from the government to help it survive the COVID-19 crisis. Swedavia says that the “contribution” from its shareholder, which amounts to around €300,000, will secure the “financial position” of the state owned company. “We welcome our owner’s support in a very difficult situation. Society […]
ACI Europe reports that Europe’s airports continued to be at an almost complete stand-still during the month of May, with passenger traffic an alarming 98% down on the same period last year. As a result, only 4.3 million passengers travelled through the European network of 500+ airports in May, compared to 216.8 million last year. […]
The Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria has ended almost a year of legal wrangling by confirming that Meridiam and its partner, Munich Airport subsidiary Munich Airport International (MAI), has won the concession to operate and development Sofia Airport. The companies make up the SOF Connect consortium awarded the concession by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport in […]
Irish airport operator, daa, today revealed that it is currently losing €1 million per day and has lost an estimated €160 million in turnover so far this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that it has operations in 16 countries and that the global pandemic has affected all of its businesses, “which […]
The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) claims to have identified more than $31 billion in rehabilitation and maintenance projects at 46 US airports, based on responses to one of its surveys conducted earlier this year. In February, it released an updated report providing an overview of more than 100 airports’ upcoming capital development spending needs through […]
Aerotropolis concept leader, Dr John Kasarda, provides an update of airport city and aerotropolis developments in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and considers the implications of the coronavirus pandemic on aviation and future developments. Last issue, I described how the Asia-Pacific region leads airport city and aerotropolis development. Other world regions are […]
ACI Europe today warned that the continent’s airports are “on their knees” and facing irreversible consequences unless air travel can restart, in a COVID-19 safe way, this summer. The warning follows a 98.6% drop in passenger numbers in April, when just 2.8 million people passed through Europe’s 500+ airports. “Europe’s airports are on their knees. […]
Global airport operator, TAV Airports, has agreed a $450 million fee to buy Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan. The main gateway to Kazakhstan is an important junction in the modern ‘Silk road’ and will become the 15th airport in TAV’s global network. TAV confirms that the deal will see it and investment partner, VPE Capital, purchase […]
Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, has told the UK’s House of Commons Transport Committee that COVID-19 detection trials are to start at his gateway as beleaguered Britain steps up its battle against the coronavirus. According to the airport, a key motivation is the desire to drive forward the development of a Common International Standard by trialling […]
