FEATURES

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) believes that it has elevated the guest experience with the opening of a host of new retail and F&B outlets at the West Gates in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. According to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and concessions partner, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), the new dining options offer a mix of […]

Heathrow has launched a trial allowing passengers to pre-book security slots ahead of their journeys, one of the first airports in the UK to offer this system. Heathrow Timeslot is a free service which will give passengers a designated time and entry point to the security search area. According to the UK hub, this will […]

Philadelphia International Airport continues to embrace biometric technology to enhance security and ensure the quick and easy facilitation of its passengers, writes SITA Americas director, Kristin Lindsey. With the return of international travel gathering pace, an ever-increasing number of US airports are adopting international outbound biometric boarding solutions to support the efforts of US Customs […]

After major data breaches hit American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and the Scandinavian airline SAS this year, it’s become evident that the cyber security threat to aviation is very real, writes Vance Hilderman. As a result, in the US in March of this year, the Transport Security Association (TSA) issued an emergency amendment to the security […]

Airports can redefine perimeter security by embracing unified solutions and deploying emerging technologies, writes Genetec’s Jon Hill. For good reason, airside physical security strategies have traditionally focused on securing and monitoring the perimeter. It’s a proven and effective means of identifying dangerous elements or intruders at a distance before they reach more high-risk zones. Protecting […]

Nearly 400 delegates and 37 exhibitors made the smart choice by attending the recent SMART Airports & Regions Conference and Exhibition in Edmonton, writes Joe Bates. With its innovative take on everything from embracing renewable energy, working in tandem with its neighbours and the commercial development of its Airport City Sustainability Campus, in many ways […]

Seven new specialty retail shops are now open for business at Nashville International Airport (BNA). According to operator Fraport Tennessee, the new arrivals reflect the airport’s record growth in domestic and international travel and boost the shopping appeal of the gateway. Tennessee originals such as the Goo Goo Shop, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, […]

Airport World provides a round-up of the some of latest airport and aviation industry security news stories from across the globe. Dawn of new era for airport security? A walk-through security scanner that it is claimed can cut airport passenger queues is seeking to raise investment. A series of demonstrations for investors in August is […]

Nashville’s popular all-natural juice bar and eatery, The Urban Juicer, has touched down at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The company’s second store outside Music City opened September 8, 2023, and is located in the Terminal F Food Court. The store’s top seller, ‘The Well-Being’ smoothie, is a blend of cucumber, lemon, ginger, apple, spinach, kale, […]

ACI World’s senior director for security, technology and innovation, Billy Shallow, addresses some of the key issues facing airport security in a continuously evolving landscape. Travel is officially back, with passengers in the Northern Hemisphere taking to airports to jet off on their summer holidays and business travel beginning to bounce back. As a result, […]

London’s Heathrow Airport is celebrating the end of a successful summer after 7.5 million passengers passed through its facilities in August. The UK hub says that during the month, passengers checked in more bags than ever before, and claims that its baggage support team “went the extra mile” to help airline handlers get bags away […]

China’s Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) has opened a new commercial street of international brands in T3A Terminal. The airport’s new ‘STARRY GALLERIA’ initiative is a result of the work of the Sino-Singapore Chongqing Airport Commercial Management Co Ltd – the joint venture set up by Singapore Changi subsidiary, Changi Airports International (CAI), and the […]

Joe Bates looks back at some of the highlights from June’s eventful ACI EUROPE/ACI WORLD Annual Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Barcelona. A record 850 delegates, a number of key announcements, the chance to reunite with colleagues and, of course, two days of lively debate in the beautiful city of Barcelona ensured that this year’s […]

While cost and connectivity are still key, the airport experience has become an increasingly important consideration for passengers when booking flights, according to a new report. SITA’s 2023 Passenger IT Insights report, published today, finds customers looking to technology to optimise every aspect of the post-pandemic travel landscape, from addressing pain points in the airport […]

CEO, Jonny Andersen, tells Joe Bates more about the growth and development of Curaçao International Airport, which boasts one of the newest terminals in the Caribbean and a growing route network. Located just 40 miles north of Venezuela off of the tip of South America, Curaçao International Airport (CUR) is the gateway to the tropical […]

Abu Dhabi International Airport’s long awaited new state-of-the-art terminal will officially open for business in early November. Known as the Midfield Terminal Building during the construction phase but now known as Terminal A, its opening will mark a significant milestone for the emirate as it has the potential to transform the local aviation ecosystem. Operator, […]

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) today celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its West Gate Expansion project. The event was attended by dozens of Central Texas and Austin leaders that included Congressman Doggett, Congressman Casar, Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson, and Austin City Council members Vanessa Fuentes and Ryan Alter. The project is one of the near-term Journey […]

Hong Kong International Airport’s new SkyPier Terminal today welcomed the first group of transfer passengers who travelled by bonded bus from Macau to the airport’s restricted area directly via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. The “seamless transfer service” is also available for air-to-bridge transfer passengers from oversea destinations, who travel by bonded bus from the airport […]

London Gatwick’s interim financial results for the first half of 2023 show that it enjoyed a “strong” six months, despite what it called a “challenging operational environment”. The airport’s revenue increased in the first half of 2023, compared to 2022, and it achieved an improved EBITDA and increased net profit in the half year ending […]

A host of new shops and restaurants will open at Stockholm Arlanda this autumn as the first stage of the Market Place is completed. One of the new additions is Gateau, a craft bakery with a French twist that will offer passengers a premium-quality classic Swedish fika, or coffee and pastry. Immediately adjacent to the […]

Passenger numbers continue to grow at Hong Kong International Airport, rising by 14.9% in July on the same month a year ago as a total of 3.8 million travellers passed through the gateway. According to operator, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the daily passenger average in July exceeded 120,000, recovering to 60% of the pre-pandemic […]

Changi Airports International (CAI) has signed two agreements with Cairo Airport Company to jointly develop Cairo International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Africa and the largest airport in Egypt by passenger and cargo traffic. The first consultancy agreement is passenger focused and seeks to implement impactful solutions to improve passenger experience at Cairo […]

Passengers traveling through Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) in the US will begin to see a transition in food and beverage offerings this month as part of the airport’s new concessions programme. SSP America was recently awarded a contract to operate a collection of post-security restaurants at Fresno Yosemite International Airport including Peet’s Coffee, Ike’s […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has announced that LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B has won the National Academy of Construction’s inaugural Recognition of Special Achievement Award. The award celebrates the creativity, innovation, and vision behind the construction of a world-class airport terminal. “The National Academy of Construction’s Recognition of Special […]

SSP Group has been awarded a seven year contract extension at London City Airport, which will see the opening of brand-new concepts. The deal comes as part of a £12 million upgrade of the Departure Lounge which includes a revamp to the F&B offer with the aim of providing the modern traveller with unique, local […]

Copenhagen Airport recorded a profit before tax of DKK167 million in a busy second quarter to reverse its loss before tax from the winter months. As a result, the Danish airport posted an overall profit before tax for the first half year of DKK108 million, during which time it handled 12.4 million passengers – 31% […]

Arrive at any major international airport, and a multitude of languages greet visitors. A wonderful recognition of the international nature of the crowds who visit, the gesture also has a strategic purpose: to make those visiting feel more comfortable in what could be a chaotic environment. These could include an uncertainty about car parking. Disorientating check-in […]

Hamad International Airport (DOH) continues to enjoy impressive traffic growth, experiencing a 35% rise in passenger numbers  during the first half of 2023. The Qatari gateway also witnessed an 18.1% increase in aircraft movements compared to the same period a year ago. The airport saw a total of 20,775,087 passengers during the first half of […]

Seven additional gates opened at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A today marking another significant milestone the new $2.7 billion facility. The new gates will be used by United Airlines and JetBlue and opened as part of the second phase development of the new terminal, following the unveiling of more concession and retail offerings over […]

VINCI Airports today finalised the financial arrangements for the acquisition of seven airports in Cabo Verde, completing the concession agreement signed with the government a year ago. VINCI Airports secured €60 million in financing, maturing over 20 years, from three development banks: World Bank-IFC, Proparco (France) and DEG (Germany). This financing is certified under the […]

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) president and CEO, Deborah Flint, has provided an update on Toronto Pearson International Airport’s mid-summer performance. Since last summer, Toronto Pearson has tangibly improved passenger experience across its operations, implemented digital innovations and bolstered staffing. These advancements, she says, have expedited check-in and boarding processes, reduced wait times and upgraded […]

San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 will feature restaurants and shops that look, feel, and taste like San Diego, according to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board. The Board has approved the final group of New T1 concessions leases for restaurants and retail shops that offer a mix of local, regional, and […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) today announced a $125 million commercial redevelopment programme for Terminal 8 at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The project, carried out in partnership with American Airlines and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, will feature a new Great Hall and is expected to bring more than 60 […]

Munich Airport’s new innovation centre, LabCampus, was officially opened today by airport CEO, Jost Lammers, and State Minister, Albert Füracker. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Munich Airport, LabCampus is described as a new, top location for innovation at the centre of Europe that will bring together research institutions, high-tech industries, young companies and up-and-coming talents from […]

Aena has awarded its electricity supply contract to Endesa Energía SAU and Iberdrola Clientes SAU as it steps up its bid to develop solar power installations across its entire airport network. It states that the purpose of the new deals is to carry out the procedures related to the purchase of energy with 100% renewable […]

Spanish airport operator, Aena, has signed a sustainable syndicated credit line (sustainability-linked RCF) for €2 billion, which it says proves its commitment to the environment, social responsibility and good corporate governance. The financing has been granted by 14 national and international financial institutions and has been led by Banco Santander as Arranger and Sustainable Agent. […]

Munich Airport (MUC) and Lufthansa are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Terminal 2. The terminal building was jointly planned and financed by Munich Airport and Lufthansa and has been jointly operated since the end of June 2003. This partnership between an airport and an airline remains unique worldwide and has been gradually further developed. In […]

Sonia Corrochano, director of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, talks to Joe Bates about the growth, development and future expansion plans of Europe’s seventh busiest passenger gateway. Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is Spain’s second biggest gateway after Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas and the seventh busiest airport in Europe based on the 41.6 million […]

Hong Kong International Airport’s Sky Bridge has its own cocktail bar after today’s opening of ‘Intervals’ by the Plaza Premium Group. PPG boldly promises that the first-of-its-kind concept will offer “an unparalleled world-class cocktail and dining experience”. Indeed, it describes as Intervals as being a destination in its own right, offering “a creative concept that […]

A new study has ranked San Antonio International Airport (SAT) second in the United States for having a short security wait time. According to luggage storage service, Bounce, SAT’s average time is six minutes and six seconds. “San Antonio has moved from eighth to second since last year, seeing its average wait time shrink by […]

Radio frequency cyber technology can help combat the dangers posed by the growing number of rogue drones flying close to airports and, in some cases, breaching the perimeter fence, writes Jeffrey Star, CMO of D-Fend Solutions. Drone sightings and incidents around airports have increased significantly in recent years. Since the beginning of 2023 alone, there […]

It’s take-off for Shannon Airport’s new Chicago service with United Airlines today as the first flight takes to the skies towards the windy city. At 8.50am this morning, excited passengers boarded the Boeing 757-200 aircraft departing at 9.30am, for the first daily seasonal Chicago service from Shannon bound for O’Hare International Airport. Speaking at a gate celebration to mark […]

New computed tomography (CT) security scanners in Terminals 1 and 2 will make passenger and baggage checks at Munich Airport safer, faster and more convenient. “We have subjected the technology to extensive tests, and the results are unequivocal: Passengers like the scanners because they no longer have to unpack their laptops and liquids, which makes […]

Regular visitors to Birmingham Airport (BHX) in the UK will notice big changes to the terminal as construction of its new security hall progresses. With upstairs queuing space reducing due to the £40m project, BHX has moved its car hire counters to one of its car parks to create alternative queueing areas downstairs. Its ‘assisted […]

Esri’s global transportation industry director, Terry Bills, explains how the digital transformation of airfield inspections has enhanced safety and operational efficiency at two very different US gateways. Maintaining the continuous safety of an airport’s runways, taxiways and ramps requires dedicated teams focused on a large number of details. Each light, pavement marking, navigational aid and […]

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) believes that it could handle up to 218,000 passengers a day during peak travel days around the Memorial Day holiday weekend. If the projections prove to be true, it will make the days between Thursday, May 25, through Monday, May, 29 the highest for passenger volumes at the airport since […]

Hamburg Airport has launched an international public tendering process for four food & beverage locations in two lots. Three of the locations are within the security-controlled area and one in the publicly accessible area. The airport stresses that it places “great value on a diverse food & beverage offering” and is seeking “a wide range […]

Clare Williams Fannin of Templemere PR explores how innovative tech is transforming the airport passenger experience. By definition, airports are tech-forward spaces. But technology shouldn’t only be reserved for the complex processes of managing flights. It also has a role to play in helping to deliver the best possible experience to passengers. Mark Smith, chief […]

Elena Avila, head of the airport and airline operations business unit at Amadeus, talks to Airport World about some of the IT challenges, and potential solutions, facing airports today. What would you say to those that argue that such is the rapid advancement of IT systems that any new technology is almost out of date […]

SITA Americas’ head of technology, Sherry Stein, explains how the travel trends of tomorrow are shaping airport IT agendas today. SITA recently released two pieces of research giving a glimpse into the transformational change taking place or expected in the air transport industry. While the topics and timelines of these reports differed, clear lines connect […]

ACI World’s senior director for security, technology and innovation, Billy Shallow, considers how technology and the smart use of data will continue to transform the airport industry. If we look at the glass being half full instead of half empty, recent flight delays and disruption could actually be seen in a positive light as it […]

Heinemann Duty Free Malaysia has officially launched its redeveloped stores at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Terminal 2 (KLIA Terminal 2). As a result, it claims that passengers travelling through KLIA Terminal 2 departures can now look forward to a “refreshed and inviting store across all categories, further enhancing the overall airport experience”. The new store […]

Global airport operator, Fraport, today revealed that it has “successfully started the new 2023 business year, achieving a noticeable improvement in the Group’s key financial figures during the first quarter of 2022. The positive performance, it says, was driven by ongoing traffic recovery across Fraport’s global network of airports. As a result, Group revenue increased […]

Heinemann’s eye catching confectionery shop at Hong Kong International Airport has re-opened for business following an upturn in passenger numbers at the gateway. According to Heinemann Asia Pacific, its Sweet Dreams outlet, which debuted at the airport in July 2018, aims to “delight and inspire travellers both young and old, with interactive displays and playful, […]

Mayor, Matt Mahan, made a flying visit to San José Mineta International Airport this week for the official opening of Jim Stump’s Taproom + Kitchen in Terminal B. The new restaurant, located near Gates 23 & 24, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is open daily from from 6am to 9pm. It’s the latest project […]

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), which is on track to open in late 2026, has chosen Amadeus as its strategic airport systems technology partner. In the long-term, the airport is expected to become one of the biggest gateways to Australia. As a result of the technology partnership, Amadeus is confident that passengers can look forward […]

CEO, Geoff Culbert, talks to Joe Bates about Sydney Airport’s recovery from the global pandemic and ongoing efforts to enhance the Australian hub’s facilities and services. At October’s ACI Africa/World Annual General Assembly, Conference & Exhibition in Marrakech, you described what a difference a year had made in terms of SYD’s recovery from COVID. Six […]

Getting to San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 will get a lot easier for travellers from tomorrow with the re-opening of the facility’s AirTrain people mover station. The station has been closed since July 2021 to facilitate construction of a connection to the new terminal. According to SFO, AirTrain vehicles will begin stopping […]

The daa Group, operator of Dublin and Cork Airports, duty free firm Aer Rianta International (ARI), and international investment partner, daa International (daaI), recorded a profit before exceptional items of €98 million in 2022. The total compared to a loss of €101 million in the previous year and follows cumulative daa group losses during COVID-19 […]

In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Miami International Airport has hosted its first MIA Airport Instruction and Readiness (MIAair) tour since 2019 for more than 40 children with special needs. The tour allowed participants to walk through the airport travel experience from start to finish in a safe and controlled environment. Attendees included children […]

Pocket Bar & Bistro has become the latest new F&B offering to open its doors at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Airport operator, Swedavia, notes that the new addition offers “fantastic views of the runway” and aircraft taking off and landing from its location, one level up in SkyCity. It promises to be a busy year for […]

Plaza Premium Group has unveiled its second lounge at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome, Italy. Located in Schengen Area of Terminal 1, the lounge is said to provide a “serene and restful space complemented with a world-class in-lounge experience thoughtfully curated by a team of passionate hospitality experts for all types of travellers”. […]

The latest 2022 Airport IT Insights Survey reveals that airports are ramping up their investment in technology to digitalise their operations and streamline the passenger journey through more self-service options. The report – produced annually by ACI World and SITA – notes that with the quicker than expected recovery of air travel demand, chief information […]

Designers and authors Adam Scott and Dave Waddell extol the virtues of Munich Airport, pioneers in the design and management of the experience-led ‘always-meanwhile’ airport. In the often extremely long-term world of capital works programmes, so-called ‘meanwhile-state’ planning is the temporary use of land earmarked for development. At it’s very best, it’s where key stakeholders […]

Digitising airport CCTV systems can offer big gains in efficiency and cost savings, writes Andrew Dallmann. Airports in the US continue to squeeze in more flights, more people and more processes under their roofs while, in many cases, operating within spaces that were built decades ago to accommodate much lower traveller capacity. With recent studies […]

ACI World today reveals the the Top 10 busiest airports on the planet for passenger traffic, cargo and aircraft movements in 2022. It notes that each Top 10 welcomed back some of the world’s largest hubs, particularly in terms of passenger throughput, following the global re-opening of borders to international traffic. Passenger traffic The top […]

OTG has expanded its operations at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) with the opening of four innovative new F&B concepts. Following its initial makeover of Concourse G – which introduced over 43,000 square feet of elevated dining and retail programmes and secured MSP’s 2013 distinction of ‘Best Food & Beverage Program in North America’ from […]

The Shannon Airport Group has welcomed the allocation of €4.623,486 million in government funding to Shannon Airport announced today by Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport. Almost €17 million in exchequer funding for regional airports was announced by Minister Chambers at a media event held at Shannon Airport this morning. […]

Passengers may get a glimpse of the future at Amsterdam Schiphol this spring as the airport begins trials of self driving buses. The trials are a result of the Royal Schiphol Group teaming up with nlmtd and TNW (The Next Web) to further accelerate innovation at the airport. According to the airport, nlmtd and TNW […]

ACI World has today published its 2023 edition of the Airport Economics Report and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), presenting a comprehensive view of the airport industry’s financial performance for the 2021 year. The annual Airport Economics Report presents an in-depth global analysis of airport industry revenues by source, costs, and related trends across the globe […]

Finnish airport operator, Finavia, today confirmed that its revenues grew substantially in 2022 and the operating margin turned positive. Nevertheless, the result for the financial year was negative due to the low passenger volumes at the regional airports and the low level of transfer travel at Helsinki Airport. The traffic decline at Helsinki Airport meant […]

VPorts has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Airport to build and operate a first vertiport in RAK designed to establish the UAE as a world-class global AAM hub. ‘‘With the support of the Department of Civil Aviation of Ras Al Khaimah, we are excited to build […]

London Gatwick Airport has today published its financial results for 2022, and recognising the urgent need to make net zero a reality has accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This commitment, it says, is aligned with […]

London Gatwick Airport will open two new restaurants and wine bars this spring – Vagabond Bar & Kitchen and South Downs Sparkling Wine Bar. The new outlets, the airport states, will showcase “a vast array of the best local wines, beers and produce from across the region, alongside global options”. Award-winning urban winery, Vagabond, will […]

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s executive vice president of global strategy and development, John Ackerman, tells Joe Bates more about the growth and future development plans of the Texas gateway. It feels like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and the Dallas Metroplex area are on a bit of a roll, with the Texas gateway building a […]

Sacramento International Airport has become the latest gateway to deploy facial biometric technology at select boarding gates. The US airport has installed state-of-the-art technology from Amadeus that it says will “revolutionise the process of verifying traveller identities by comparing live photos to the traveller’s existing passport or visa photo in secure US Department of Homeland […]

Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, both WHSmith companies, have unveiled ten exciting new outlets inside the brand-new Single Terminal at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). The new terminal at MCI features MRG retailers in both concourses, with a wealth of new concepts designed just for Kansas City, Missouri. MRG says that it takes pride […]

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is anticipating a busy spring break travel period that is expected to draw more than 12 million passengers to the airport between March and April. The increase in passenger and vehicle traffic will make this spring break the most travelled at LAX since 2019, leading Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) […]

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has signed a formal partnership agreement with Aurrigo International for the continued joint development and testing of the company’s autonomous vehicles. According to Aurrigo, its innovative solutions offer the ability to reduce emissions and improve efficiencies in getting passenger bags to and from the terminal. The multi-year partnership with CAG provides […]

Dubai Airports today labelled 2022 a banner year for Dubai International Airport (DXB), revealing that it handled 66 million passengers during 12 months of robust growth. It notes that growth outpaced the annual forecast yet again in the final months of the year following an exceptionally strong fourth quarter, and believes that it is now […]

ACI World and Amadeus have today opened submissions for the third edition of the Technology Innovation Awards, putting a spotlight on industry-leading technology initiatives and leadership by airports around the world. Airport members of ACI are invited to submit their candidacy to the ACI World-Amadeus Technology Innovation Awards in one of three categories: Best innovation(s) […]

Passengers will soon be able to travel through Frankfurt Airport from check-in to boarding simply by scanning their faces at biometric touch-points across the gateway. This solution will utilise SITA and NEC technology and is available to all interested airlines at the airport. The implementation will see additional biometric touch-points installed by spring 2023. From […]

UK company AeroCloud Systems (AeroCloud) has won a contract to provide a full suite of airport operations management systems to Lincoln Airport (LNK) in the US state of Nebraska Its cloud-based airport operations platform will support ongoing terminal expansion work at LNK, which is due to be completed by February 2023. The Nebraska gateway handles around […]

New ‘smart windows’ have been installed in the recently opened 350,000-square-foot expansion of Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 5, a major milestone in the $1.3 billion, four-year investment programme to expand and modernise the gateway. The windows, provided by View Inc, use artificial intelligence to optimise the amount of natural light in the terminal while minimising heat […]

Holland & Barrett, a leading UK wellness retailer, has partnered with WHSmith to offer a curated range of health, wellness and beauty products to customers travelling across the UK or jetting off on holiday. The trial will see Holland & Barrett concessions added to three WHSmith Travel stores in Heathrow Terminal 2 airside, Gatwick North […]

Faced with increased disruptions, baggage mountains, and staff shortages, airports and airlines are ramping up their investment in technology to digitalise their operations and speed up the passenger journey by offering more self-service options, according to SITA. SITA’s 2022 Air Transport IT Insights report, published today, reveals that with the post-pandemic recovery CIOs want to […]

Washington Reagan National Airport has opened ‘Curiosity Runway’, a new play area that it hopes will pique the pre-flight imagination of families with children. The gateway has created the new space in partnership with the National Children’s Museum – a learn-through-play institution in downtown Washington DC that sparks curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts, and […]

Shannon Airport’s strong recovery in 2022 exceeded expectations, according to Shanon Airport Group CEO, Mary Considine. The Irish airport welcomed over 1.51 million passengers to the airport in 2022, a 300% increase on 2021 figures, and an 88% recovery of 2019 passenger levels. “The accelerated pace of the rebound in air travel from Shannon has […]

Tulsa International Airport has celebrated the opening of a new ‘A History through Dance’ art exhibit by Megan Torres. The exhibit features photography from Torres Fine Art, wardrobe pieces, and history information that highlights Tulsa’s Ballet Folklórico group, Tierra Mestiza. Tierra Mestiza has been a part of the community of Tulsa since the late 1990s, […]

ACI EUROPE and industry partners A4E, ERA and IATA today welcomed the decision to postpone the implementation of the EU’s new smart border system for non-EU nationals (i.e. Entry Exit System, EES). The EES system will be a game changer for how the EU’s borders are managed. There are, however, a number of issues which […]

Fraport has assumed responsibility for the organisation, management, and performance of the security checkpoints at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). The German Federal Police, who were previously tasked with these responsibilities, will continue to hold statutory oversight and supervision roles, as well as overall responsibility for aviation security. They will also continue to provide armed protection at […]

Glasgow Airport is trialling a special assistance support app to ensure all passengers who require additional help at the gateway get the assistance they need. The UK airport reveals that around 25% of requests for special assistance are made on the day of travel and hopes that the PRM Assist app will supplement the current […]

Airports across Europe continue to announce their annual traffic figures for 2022, the bulk of which are reporting a significant upturn in passenger numbers and routes as aviation’s recovery from the pandemic gathered momentum. Munch Airport, for example, reveals that it handled 31.6 million passengers in 2022 – 19 million more the previous year as […]

Ever Rich Duty Free has partnered with William Grant and Tasa Meng on a Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection promotion at Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport. To support the launch, the brand’s ground-breaking immersive Perpetual Collection pop-up concept has been installed in Terminal 2 and will be onsite until February 28. “This collection is Glenfiddich’s biggest launch in […]

Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport has become the first gateway in the Middle East to achieve Level 3 status in ACI’s Customer Experience Accreditation programme. To obtain Level 3, the Amman gateway notes that it implemented an “advanced customer experience strategy through multi-faceted engagement with customers, employees and customer experience professionals”. In addition, it says […]

Welcoming China’s decision to re-open border with quarantine-free travel, ACI Asia-Pacific reiterated its calls for a consistent and harmonised approach from governments in response measures towards managing inbound travel. Commenting on the development, ACI Asia-Pacific’s director general, Stefano Baronci, said: “China has played a dominating role in the region’s economy and is anticipated to be […]

Tan Lye Teck, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president for airport management, brings Joe Bates up to speed on how his gateway has fared in 2022 and explains why Singapore Changi is looking to the future with optimism. As we near the end of 2022, where would you say Singapore Changi is in its recovery […]

According to Airport Dimensions, its newly commissioned research has pin-pointed how airports must adapt their retail and experience offerings to appeal to the modern traveller. The data reveals, unsurprisingly, that practical factors make a significant difference when it comes to improving travellers’ passenger experiences. A substantial 80% of those surveyed, for example, cited comfortable seating […]

Ferry transfer service between Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPier and Macau are to resume on December 30, providing cross-boundary transport service for sea-to-air and air-to-sea transfer passengers. TurboJET, the ferry operator of the said service, will operate one round-trip between SkyPier and Macao Taipa Ferry Terminal every Friday and Sunday. Connecting to the Greater Bay […]

Lima Airport Partners (LAP) has signed a $1.25 million financing agreement to help fund the ongoing upgrade of Peru’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). The financing for the ongoing development of the Peruvian gateway is being provided by seven banks – BBVA, IDB Invest, KfW IPEX Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), The Bank of […]

TAV Airports is set to operate Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport until at least 2050 after its €475 million plus VAT bid to extend its current concession by another 25 years was accepted by Turkey’s State Airports Authority (DHMİ). The decision, which is pending official approval, means that the global airport operator no longer faces having to […]

Just in time for the Christmas holidays, Lagardère AWPL has opened its new Aelia Duty Free stores at Adelaide Airport in Australia. Designed and built in partnership with peckvonhartel, Trivision, Studio All and Bestec, the new stores double the size of duty free retail across arrivals and departures. Inside 800 square metres of Departures and […]

TAV Technologies’ list of customers in Central Asia continues to grow with the announcement that Aktobe International Airport in Kazakhstan has become the latest gateway to use its Common Use Passenger System (CUPPS). The TAV Airports subsidiary, which also counts Almaty and Samarkand airports as customers, is confident that the Kazakh gateway will benefit from […]

Sydney Airport’s new luxury precinct is now home to Louis Vuitton’s first retail travel store in the southern hemisphere, as well as Gentle Monster’s first store in the region. The brand’s largest stand-alone travel retail store in the world offers a broad selection of premium women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods, accessories, watches, jewellery […]

The renovation of the central security checkpoint at Munich Airport’s Terminal 2 has begun as part of the gateway’s plans to transform the area with a new layout and state-of-the-art technology. When completed in the autumn of 2024, instead of the familiar traditional checkpoints, new lanes with innovative technology will be used to welcome and […]

Heathrow has enlisted hundreds of ‘Little Helpers’ to kick off the festive season for passengers by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts. The gifts from the airport’s shops, bars and restaurants range from teddy bears, perfumes and Pret breakfasts to free flights and lounge access, and will be given out across all four terminals in the […]

Fortnum & Mason, an upmarket department store from the UK, has partnered with Lagardère Travel Retail to open its first travel retail location in Asia in the East Hall luxury zone at Hong Kong International Airport. The 46 square metre store offers a wide assortment of the brand’s most in-demand teas, biscuit, chocolates, tea accessories, […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is now home to the region’s first airport gaming lounge concept with the opening of Game Space earlier this week. The unique space is set to further enhance travellers’ experience at the world’s busiest international airport. Offering a novel alternative to the normal pre-flight routine of travellers, Game Space is located […]

The managing director of London Stansted today claimed that restoring four trains an hour between the gateway and London Liverpool Street was key to delivering vital sustainability targets and supporting the airport’s growth plans. Speaking at an annual Transport Forum, Gareth Powell said the frequency of trains between the airport and Liverpool Street dropped from […]

Swedavia today announced that a number of new shops will open at Stockholm Arlanda Airport next summer when the first phase of its biggest ever commercial investment at the gateway is completed. Located in the planned new Marketplace development, the new retail outlets will include a number of well-known Swedish brands, and there will also […]

Brain Corp’s chief revenue officer, Michel Spruijt, explains why he believes that autonomous cleaning robots are here to stay at the world’s airports. How long have autonomous cleaning robots been around and, to your knowledge, when were they first deployed at an airport? Autonomous cleaning robots have been around since the mid 1990s. At that […]

After a two-year break, Munich Airport’s Christmas and winter market is back, and judging by Saturday’s pictures, it looks better than ever! This year’s market at the München Airport Center (MAC) Forum – Europe’s largest roofed open space – features over 40 shops and stalls offering Christmas treats, handicrafts and gifts and, as usual, the […]

London’s Heathrow Airport has a new addition to its hospitality offering today following the opening of the Blush Lounge by the Plaza Premium Group (PPG). Located in Terminal 4, the new lounge can accommodate up to 105 passengers at a time and extends PPG’s sizeable presence at the UK hub. According to PPG, travellers will […]

New self-service touchpoints at check-in, bag drop, and security mean that passengers can now breeze through Geneva Airport, according to technology provider, SITA. The new touchpoints, it says, are helping to reduce wait times and provide more flexibility to passengers increasingly seeking digital travel solutions. In addition, SITA notes that passengers and staff will also […]

Virtual queuing is coming to an airport near you soon and could represent the future of waiting at airports, writes Steve Covate. With the notable exception of the current COVID caused disruptions, it could be argued that airports – and the airlines and businesses that operate within them – have made giant strides in reducing […]

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has officially welcomed Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, its arrival marking the completion of a major two-phase Silver Line construction project to extend rail service to the airport and 10 other stations in Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Northern Virginia. With the new service, airport passengers and employees now […]

Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly airports today announced the delivery of 100 self-service bag drops as operator Groupe ADP bids to further enhance the passenger experience and speed up passenger flows through its main French capital city gateways. The machines, from ICM Airport Technics, an Amadeus company, will be installed over the coming months adding to the […]

The official ceremony to announce the opening of the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport in the US state of New Jersey marked a key milestone in the five-year history of the global Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Munich Airport. Munich Airport NJ LLC, which was specifically established by […]

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today celebrated the opening of  Terminal A, the centrepiece of an airport-wide upgrade designed to establish Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The new terminal represents the largest design-build project in New Jersey history and […]

Despite being less than a decade old, Hamad International Airport today officially unveiled its airport expansion project to the world. The Qatari gateway believes the expansion, which includes what it calls a “masterpiece garden at the centre of the airport”, will enrich the passenger experience and transform the airport into an “extraordinary destination where any […]

ACI World today published its annual ASQ 2022 Global Traveller Survey revealing the highest intention to travel by passengers since the beginning of the pandemic. The survey is designed to engage the views of travellers who used to travel at least annually before the pandemic, and that have either travelled again during the crisis or […]

Work will shortly begin on a new Four Points by Sheraton hotel and conference centre at the International Airport Estates complex at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago. The hotel is being built by developers and designers STAGES Group and Urbahn Architects in response to the lack of airport hotels for air crew […]

The ongoing modernisation of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) continues with the opening of the Terminal 4.5 Core, the first major component to complete as part of a $1.62 billion project at the 60-year-old Terminals 4 and 5. The Terminal 4.5 Core, which opened to the public yesterday, provides a centralised location between Terminals 4 […]

Frankfurt Airport today unveiled the the first vehicle for its new Sky Line people mover, which will carry travellers from the long-distance and regional train stations at the airport straight to the main building of Terminal 3 in only eight minutes. When operational – the new terminal isn’t due to open until 2026 – the […]

Hong Kong International Airport’s impressive Sky Bridge opened today, allowing passengers to conveniently travel between Terminal 1 and its Satellite Concourse (T1S). The latest addition to the airport’s infrastructure is 200-metres long and 28-metres high and equipped with escalators and automated walkways. Spanning a taxiway at the airport, Sky Bridge is the world’s longest airside […]

The slot machine concessionaire at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, formerly know as McCarran Airport, is celebrating generating more than one billion dollars in revenue at the US gateway. Michael Gaughan’s Airport Slot Concession, Inc. has been operating at the Nevada gateway for 36 years and has generated the revenue over the lifetime of […]

Global airport operator, Corporación América Airports (CAAP), is set to enter the African market for the first time after its consortium was named as the preferred bidder to operate Abuja and Kano airports and their respective cargo terminals in Nigeria. CAAP holds a controlling 51% stake in the consortium alongside partners Mota-Engil, Engenharia e Construção […]

Work is under way on a new security screening area at Birmingham Airport (BHX) in the UK. The airport says that the new facility, being built within the existing terminal building, will result in a speedier, simpler pre-flight security screening process for customers. UK Government requires all airports to be compliant with new standards by […]

Habiba Laklalech, director general of Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA), tells Joe Bates more about her first 18 months in the job and the challenges and opportunities ahead for Marrakech Menara Airport. As has been the case for almost everyone in the aviation industry, the last 18 months have proven eventful and challenging for Moroccan Airports […]

London Gatwick’s recovery from the pandemic is gathering pace with the airport now offering flights to almost 90% of the destinations it served in October 2019. This translates to 172 destinations being served from Gatwick during the upcoming school holiday period, compared to 197 in the same period in 2019 (87%). Top destinations for half-term […]

Frankfurt Airport operator, Fraport, and Lufthansa have formed a new joint venture called ‘FraAlliance’ with each company holding a 50% share in the new initiative. The two companies intend to use FraAlliance to strengthen their existing co-operation on strategic and operational matters at Frankfurt Airport and “plan to deepen their long-standing partnership in relation to […]

Belfast International Airport is trialling a robot service technology to enhance colleague and customer experience at the gateway. The trial – the first of its kind in conjunction with SSP UK – sees six service robots deployed later this month at the Sip & Stone Restaurant and Bar. Working with GW Robotics & Stephens Catering, […]

The opening of a new air bridge might not seem like that big a deal for an airport, but for London Stansted it is significant, as the new addition boosts the UK gateway’s ability to handle long-haul aircraft. The new £1.5million double airbridge, the first of its kind at Stansted, joins the 11 single-door airbridges […]

The FAA has awarded more than $31 million in grants to expand cargo infrastructure at nine airports across the United States. According to the FAA, each project will help expedite the movement of goods throughout the country. “Every day, we rely on goods transported through our nation’s airports,” said US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg. “This […]

Singapore Changi today re-opened the southern wing of its newly revamped Terminal 2 departure hall, following the resumption of arrival operations at the terminal in May this year. Changi Airport Group (CAG) notes that the move will enhance the airport experience for passengers as services and traveller numbers begin to rise again. The additional capacity […]

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has confirmed that Delta Air Lines will move its operations at O’Hare International Airport from the carrier’s long-time home in Terminal 2 to newly renovated gates in Terminal 5 on Wednesday, October 12. “Delta’s move is the next big step in the $1 billion expansion and renovation project nearing […]

Frankfurt Airport operator, Fraport AG, is embarking on another photovoltaic (PV) project at the gateway to increase its proportion of green energy. It has installed a demonstration system of 20 PV panels with an output of 8.4 kilowatts at the southwestern end of Runway 18 West and plans to extend the triple-array PV system along […]

RS&H’s vice president, senior principal aviation planner, Bart Gover, outlines ten reasons some airports choose to forego long-range planning. It’s true that sometimes choosing to do nothing is the easiest decision to make. However, planning is essential to succeed and has long been considered a fundamental tool used to achieve a desired outcome. Assuming this […]

International passengers travelling on selected Singapore Airlines flights from Perth Airport have begun using, on a trial basis, new face recognition biometric technology designed to simplify the airport journey. Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said the trial, being run in partnership Amadeus and Singapore Airlines, is part of Perth Airport’s move towards greater use of […]

HOK’s regional leader of aviation and transportation, Keith Hui, and Woolpert’s director of strategic consulting, David Tomber, share their thoughts on how better design can maximise an airport’s return on investment (ROI). Design education and practice emphasise the importance of achieving design vision, functional requirements, construction budget and schedule. However, these ubiquitous project objectives can […]

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has renewed its Level 1 accreditation for Carbon Mapping and Stinson Municipal Airport achieved Level 1 status for the first time in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.  “Through teamwork, we successfully achieved this goal,” said San Antonio International Airport’s noise abatement and special projects manager, Joshua Heiss. “Airport Carbon Accreditation […]

Landrum & Brown’s Andy Lee, Jordan Roos and Karst Smit consider ways of shortening walking distances and passenger journey times through airport terminals. Airport terminal typologies have evolved over the decades to respond to market, regulatory and technological developments. Besides the evolution of aircraft dimensions, the two biggest events, deregulation and 9/11, led to the […]

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has enhanced the customer experience at DTW by introducing two new initiatives, pet therapy dogs and a programme that helps passengers with hidden disabilities. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to address the needs and exceed the expectations of our customers,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO, Chad Newton. […]

Airports need to get hydrogen ready now to help the industry meet its net zero targets, writes Jacobs’ Andrew Gibson and Elizabeth Leavitt. Airports worldwide continue to make significant progress in reducing their carbon emissions, but without decarbonising aircraft, overall reductions from the aviation sector will be limited. It is therefore no surprise to report […]

Heathrow today invited the SME community to reconnect with its multi-billion-pound supply chain, which it insists can be a part of the airport’s continued recovery, contributing to the local community’s growth and “global Britain’s prosperity”.  The call comes as the airport announced the relaunch of its annual Business Summit. It has been three years since […]

Airport World turns the spotlight on a handful of infrastructure development projects currently taking shape or being planned across the globe. New terminal for Kumasi Airport in Ghana Kumasi International Airport’s new terminal is on target to open in October, 2022, and may even handle its first flights in August, if news reports from Ghana […]

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) has two new bespoke Thai food outlets, courtesy of global F&B provider, the SSP Group. According to SSP, the openings will allow travellers to enjoy authentic Thai culinary experiences as they embark on their journeys through this international hub. Koh Hop Bar, which has proven exceedingly popular with customers, serves […]

Santiago Beron reminds airports about the importance of identifying all existing cables before commencing expansion projects based on TLC Engineering Solution’s experience at two Florida gateways. As the pandemic has shown, any disruption to air travel has real world impacts, from airport operations to business expenses as well as personal budgets for families on vacation. […]

After decades of planning and nearly five years of construction, on Tuesday afternoon, the vision became reality at Orlando International Airport (MCO) as an Aer Lingus flight from Manchester in the UK helped open Terminal C to the public. The $2.8 billion project features 15 additional gates to increase MCO passenger capacity by 25% or […]

Curtis Fentress tells us more about Orlando International Airport’s new 1,800 million square foot, $2.8 billion Terminal C. Last year, Florida’s Orlando International Airport (MCO) ranked among the world’s top ten busiest airports for the first time. This year it will open phase one of a new Terminal C, which has been decades in the […]

ACI World’s annual ACI Customer Experience Global Summit has begun in Kraków, Poland, with ‘Re-humanising the airport experience’ being the theme of the event. The ACI Customer Experience Global Summit is the premier global event on airport experience and attracts more than 400 senior airport executives, civil aviation authority representatives, airport specialists, and related business […]

SITA has announced the launch of a partnership programme aimed at joining hands with key partners as it embarks on what it calls “a new path to growth”. Through the new partner platform, Launchpad, SITA has outlined four key areas where it seeks to build new partnerships: digital identities, advanced analytics and data management, security […]

Jiří Pos, Prague Airport’s chair of the board, talks to Joe Bates about the Czech gateway’s 85th anniversary, future development plans and success in ACI’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme. With little domestic or transfer traffic and the Czech Republic introducing some of the toughest travel restrictions in Europe during the COVID pandemic, it doesn’t […]

Kraków Airport’s director of aviation and commercial services, Paweł Galiak, tells us more about the gateway’s award winning customer service strategy. How proud are you of Kraków Airport’s success in ACI’s ASQ programme, and what does it mean for the airport, because success doesn’t happen overnight, does it? That’s true. We have achieved success thanks […]

Singapore Changi is to re-open the southern wing of Terminal 2 for departure operations next month following the resumption of arrival operations at the terminal in May this year.  The commencement of departure operations at T2 on October 11 will add to Changi’s capacity and spread out passenger operations more evenly across the airport’s terminals as […]

Navigating Tucson International Airport (TUS) has always been a breeze, but now the travel experience is even easier as the US gateway has upgraded its interactive map to allow for wayfinding throughout the airport and surrounding customer facilities. Accessible through the FlyTucson.com website, the new map is available in desktop format for anyone interested in […]

Passengers passing through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) got a taste of two featured beers as part of a tap takeover celebrating National Black Business Month. Turner Häus Brewery had beer on tap at Tortas Frontera restaurant while Moor’s Brewery took over the tap at Hub51, both located in Terminal 5. Both restaurants, operated by Areas, sold […]

Sydney Airport is reinvigorating its luxury retail precinct with the arrival of the most sought-after fashion brands, affirming the airport’s position on the world stage of luxury. Showcased within a 2,700sqm streetscape, luxury brands including Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Hermès, Loewe, Moncler, Prada, Rolex and Saint Laurent are now open at the airport’s T1 […]

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in the UK has announced an innovative technology partnership to improve queue management and the passenger experience. LBA has partnered with Veovo to introduce AI-powered passenger predictability technology to its airport operation. This technology will optimise airport security area operations and passenger flow throughout the terminal by analysing real-time data on […]

Through subsidiary, Aena Desarrollo Internacional, Aena has been awarded the concession to operate and develop São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport and 10 other gateways across Brazil. The concession, which is initially for 30 years with the option of a five year extension, covers 11 gateways across São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Pará […]

As borders begin to re-open, is it time for APAC airports to reconsider how they will look and digitally interact with passengers in the future? Amadeus’ senior vice president of airport and airline operations for the region, Sarah Samuel, investigates. When the pandemic emerged in 2019, Asia-Pacific was the first to feel its impact. And […]

It is claimed that a Green Freeport in the North East of Scotland could play a significant role in decarbonising the aviation industry by delivering a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant that would create up to 920 jobs and £133 million in GVA per year. The creation of a SAF facility at St Fergus is […]

It is time to apply a ‘warp-speed mindset’ to the digital transformation of airport operations to accommodate future growth, improve the passenger journey, respond to disruptions and optimise operational efficiencies from ground operations to ticketing, writes Charlie Meyer. At the onset of the pandemic, as we all waited for vaccines to be made available, many […]

Carlos Kaduoka, SITA’s head of business strategy for airports, considers how new technology will play a key role in helping airports respond to the demands for a greener industry. The travel recovery is well underway. As the summer travel season approaches, airlines and airports have been caught off guard by the speed of recovery. The […]

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) welcomed 401,000 passengers in July, 2022, a colossal 259.3% increase over the same period last year, although passenger volumes remain significantly down on pre-pandemic levels. Cargo throughput and air traffic movements recorded 17% and 3.1% year-on-year drops to 348,000 tonnes and 11,485 movements, respectively. The relaxation of inbound travel and […]

Rome’s Leonardo di Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) has begun the installation of new carry-on baggage screening systems that it claims will enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of its security operations. The airport has opted to instal 30 HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX machines from Smiths Detection, a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner that produces high-resolution volumetric […]

Joe Bates takes a closer look at some of the most innovative IT stories to have made headlines across the globe in the first half of 2022. Duty calls for assistance robots Bengaluru-Kempegowda in India and Christchurch in New Zealand have become the latest airports to embrace humanoid technology – the former on a trial […]

Copenhagen Airport and the Fraport Group have become the latest airport operators to post improved results for the first half of 2022. Denmark’s capital city airport reports that eight out of ten passengers are back, it has taken on an extra 500 staff to cope with rising demand, and that it is close to breaking […]

Technology such as artificial intelligence can help airports increase efficiency and improve the passenger experience without compromising on security, writes Chris Bishop. When it comes to commercial aviation, it would not be an exaggeration to describe the first few months as “difficult” for the industry. Flights have been cancelled with little or no notice across […]

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) is hosting the BNE Careers Expo next month to encourage up to 2,000 new employees to consider a career at the airport precinct. The airport ‘jobs bonanza’ covers a diverse range of roles including: security, baggage handling, government agencies, airlines, customers service, engineering, corporate services, landscaping, bus drivers, hospitality and retail […]

Genetec’s Simon Barnes assesses the risks of IoT devices in airports and the need for a joint approach to cyber and physical security to secure networks. The ever-expanding catalogue of ‘smart devices’ is revolutionising airport operations. Innovative technology is directly improving the passenger experience and making operations more efficient. One of the biggest areas where […]

Spain’s global airport operator, Aena, has announced that it made  a net profit of €163.8 million in the first half of 2022 – nearly a  150% rise on its results for the corresponding period a year ago when it reported a huge €346.4 million loss. The turnaround in its fortunes means that Aena is in […]

CEO, Atif Elkadi, tells Joe Bates more about the transformation in Ontario International Airport’s fortunes over the last five years and its impressive recovery from the global pandemic. Southern California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) is in a good place right now with ambitious owners, a committed and forward-looking management team, and more airlines and a […]

London’s Heathrow Airport has taken the dramatic step of imposing a capacity cap this summer to ensure that it offers “better and more reliable” journeys for passengers during traditionally its busiest time of the year. In an open letter to passengers on the capacity cap, Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, says: “The global aviation industry is […]

Singapore’s gateway to the world has stepped up the promotion of its Changi Precinct, which it hopes will prove a big hit with passengers wishing to explore and have fun as traffic numbers begin to rise again after the global pandemic. The new ‘Hello, Changi Precinct’ gallery in Terminal 3 is essentially designed to drive […]

SITA’s 2022 Passenger IT Insights research, published today, highlights pent-up demand for both business and leisure travel emerging from the pandemic, with passengers further embracing mobile and touchless technologies to make the journey as convenient and seamless as possible. The survey reveals an increase in passenger use of mobile devices for booking, on board the airplane, and […]

Dublin Airport has reiterated its confidence in its current plan to avoid cutting any flights this summer. The Irish gateway notes that during the first three weeks of June, 93% of all passengers spent 45 minutes or less queuing at its security screening areas, while 77% of passengers queued for 30 minutes or less. And […]

London’s Heathrow Airport has reacted with dismay to the Civil Aviation Authority’s demand to reduce its passenger charges every year until 2026. The airport, which actually wanted to raise its fees, has been told by the regulator that the move reflects the recent rebound in passenger volumes, and would still allow it to invest in […]

On the eve of its 32nd Annual Congress and General Assembly, ACI EUROPE today published its Airport Industry Connectivity Report for 2022, which reveals that the recovery of European air connectivity from the COVID-19 pandemic is uneven and still difficult. According to ACI EUROPE, this reflects the combination of yet not fully lifted travel restrictions, […]

Gebr Heinemann has won the concession to operate the the duty free and travel retail shops at Düsseldorf Airport from January 2023. The licence is for four shops across all three terminals A, B and C, with a total of around 4,000 square metres of shopping area. The product range will include liquor, tobacco, confectionery, […]

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected transport security technologists Pangiam to demonstrate its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven accessible screening solution that is said to have the potential to transform aviation security worldwide. Project DARTMOUTH, the collaboration between Pangiam and Google Cloud, utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and pattern analysis technologies to digest and analyse vast amounts […]

A total of 5.3 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in May, around 79% of 2019 levels, which the UK hub claims is in line with its revised forecast. It notes that despite the bad publicity about long queues and flight cancellations at airports across the globe due to the lack of staff, ‘close coordination and […]

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has introduced a new first for India, AI-driven, assistance robots designed enhance passenger experience. Currently at the trial stage, 10 robots have been deployed to help guide passengers through the airport and answer basic queries. It notes that the robot count will be increased in a “calibrated manner” and will be […]

Ferrovial Airports has agreed to acquire a stake in New Terminal One, the consortium appointed to design, build and operate the new $9.5 billion Terminal One at New York–JFK. Under the deal, Ferrovial is acquiring 96% of The Carlyle Global Infrastructure Fund’s 51% stake in New Terminal One. The completion of the transaction is subject […]

The ground-breaking ceremony for DHL’s new 4,880 square metre facility at Brisbane Airport took place earlier today. DHL Global Forwarding is investing A$17 million over ten years on the new complex, which will house the largest international cold chain services in Brisbane to meet the fast-growing demand for perishables. The new facility will also support […]

The opening of the world’s first airport lounge for young travellers and a new innovation programme ensure that 2022 has got off to a good start for Istanbul Airport, writes Joe Bates. Istanbul Airport has been grabbing the headlines since its much-heralded opening in April 2019, and it continues to shine, leading Europe’s traffic recovery […]

The global mishandled baggage rate spiked by 24% to 4.35 bags per thousand passengers in 2021 as the industry began its recovery from the pandemic, according to the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2022, released today. The report shows passenger traffic has evolved since 2020, with most of the 2021 recovery being driven by domestic travel, […]

With over 200,000 passengers per day expected to pass through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the gateway is urging travellers to plan ahead for parking and pick-up well in advance this year. “With passenger traffic reaching the highest levels since early 2020, guests who are travelling through LAX during […]

Fraport AG CEO, Dr Stefan Schulte, delivered a largely positive message to shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. Schulte said: “The year 2021 has shown that we have bottomed out and are now climbing back up step-by-step in terms of traffic volumes. “At Frankfurt, we are getting ready for a busy summer. […]

As part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, Perth Airport has partnered with Carbon Neutral to offset its bus fleets as well as offering motorists the opportunity to offset their trip to and from the airport when booking parking online. Perth Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said that Perth Airport has committed to […]

Changi Airport Group today announced that operations in Terminal 2 will resume on 29 May 2022, the first phase of the terminal’s re-opening as the gateway prepares to meet the expected increase in passenger traffic in the months ahead. Closed for an upgrade since May 2020, T2’s phased re-opening will augment Changi’s capacity. When completed […]

Stockholm Arlanda is to re-open Terminal 4 on June 15 to better equip it to cope with rising passenger numbers over what is expected to be a busy summer. Meanwhile, operator Swedavia, has announced that “major recruitment efforts are under way” in a bid to ease congestion at the airport principally caused by the lack […]

Four projects that improved passenger and cargo operations at Miami International Airport were recognised with 2022 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honour innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories, such as Children and Youth, Criminal Justice and Public […]

Perth Airport says that returning passengers will notice ‘some changes’ in its International terminal that it believes will further enhance the passenger experience. “To streamline passenger check-in, an exciting new addition is the conversion of 16 check-in counters at T1 International into automated bag drops and 36 new self-check-in kiosks in what was the queuing […]

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a Harmonising Air Travel policy, which it says will make international travel to the Kingdom “simpler, easier and more enjoyable by removing the confusion over travel requirements currently discouraging millions of people from booking flights”. Designed in co-operation with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation […]

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has apologised for the inconvenience to air travellers resulting from the recent increase in wait times at some major airports. In a direct message to passengers, CATSA CEO, Mike Saunders, assured the travelling public that the federal Crown corporation is aggressively working to address the situation. Saunders said: […]

Travel retail operator, Gebr. Heinemann, enjoyed an upturn in revenues in 2021 despite ongoing travel restrictions in the wake of the global pandemic. In spite of the restrictions, especially in the first half of the year, and the continued absence of Asian travellers, the Hamburg-based operator says that it “achieved solid turnover and focused on […]

Air travel continued its recovery in Sweden during the first quarter of 2022, with four times as many passengers passing through the country’s airports than the same period a year ago. A total four million passengers used the country’s gateways in Q1, the upturn in traffic providing a much needed financial boost for airport operator, […]

ACI World has today announced the 2021 inductees into the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence, recognising airports that have consistently delivered exceptional customer experience in the opinion of travellers. The honour is conferred to airports that have won multiple awards over a five-year period in the last 10 years as part of the Airport […]

The Federal Aviation Administration and US airports have launched an Airport Climate Challenge to help achieve the Biden-Harris Administration goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Airports can take advantage of several FAA funding programmes to meet this goal, including grants for low- or zero-emissions vehicles, renewable energy production, energy assessments and other efforts. The challenge […]

The Design Solution’s Robbie Gill considers some of the challenges facing Europe’s regional airports when it comes to enhancing their retail/F&B offerings. Despite the unprecedented and continuing pressures imposed on non-aviation revenues by the COVID crisis, a number of Europe’s regional airports are developing a stronger position to drive their revenue recovery path, particularly among […]

Last November, President Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into law, roughly doubling the current infrastructure funding levels to give US airports an unprecedented opportunity to make significant facility reinvestments for the future. With the appropriation of $25 billion of aviation infrastructure funds to be distributed over the next five years, $5 billion […]

Hamad International Airport’s chief operating officer, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, talks to Joe Bates about traffic trends, IT innovation and expansion plans for 2022 and beyond. The opening of Hamad International Airport (DOH) in April 2014 signalled the start of a new era for Doha and Qatar and the gateway certainly hasn’t disappointed, racking up […]

The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, together with the CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports, Nicolas Notebaert, have inaugurated the new central atrium of the Las Américas International in Santo Domingo. The €14 million upgrade is part of VINCI Airports’ “modernisation and optimisation plan” for the gateway to improve the […]

President and CEO, Jerry Dann, tells Joe Bates more about the ambitions and future development plans of Taoyuan International Airport. Can you tell us more about your planned new Terminal 3 and how big a milestone is it for the airport? It is a huge milestone for Taoyuan International Airport [TPE] as it will boost […]

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is proposing a new concourse at Washington Dulles International Airport to replace outdoor boarding areas currently used by regional flights, upgrade aircraft service facilities and bring new conveniences and amenities to passengers. The proposed Tier-2 Concourse (East) would be a modern 14-gate facility with convenient access to the airport’s […]

Global airport operator, Fraport AG, has announced its intention to sell its 24.5% stake in China’s Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. Fraport, which earlier this month announced plans to divest itself of its shares in St Petersburg’s Polkovo Airport following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, has agreed to sell its shares in Xi’an Xianyang to Chang’an […]

UK airports have lost £10 billion in revenue since the first lockdown in March 2020 and have taken on more than £4 billion in debt, according to new analysis by the Airport Operators Association (AOA). Its new report, Reconnecting the UK: recovering aviation connectivity, shows that 2021 was worse than 2020, with airports seeing the lowest […]

The first phase of the Will Rogers World Airport Terminal Expansion project in Oklahoma City is complete. Led by HOK and Oklahoma City-based FSB, the expansion is designed to put the “world” back in Will Rogers World Airport, adding a new east concourse with four new gates (along with the flexibility to open six more […]

Cork Airport has introduced significant upgrades to the corkairport.com website, including a 24/7 webchat facility along with flight information details for departing and arriving passengers via WhatsApp. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cork Airport recorded an increased number of queries from departing and arriving passengers, particularly around government travel advice, international travel restrictions […]

Istanbul Airport may just have achieved another first by opening what it believes is the world’s first airport ‘Youth Lounge’ for passengers in the 15-30 year age group. It promises that the new facility – located in the international departures level – will offer “an exclusive, relaxing, and enjoyable travel experience to young people” as […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) today confirmed plans to close its northern runway for a 45-day period between May 9 and June 22, 2022, to allow for its refurbishment. While regular runway maintenance is scheduled on a weekly basis, it notes that more extensive upgrades such as the one planned require a complete closure of the […]

Air Marakanda, operator of the newly-expanded and redeveloped Samarkand International Airport, officially opened the airport’s new state-of-the-art terminal today. Passengers onboard flight HY-045/046 from Tashkent were the first to use the new terminal. The public-private partnership responsible for the $80 million project comprises Air Marakanda and state partner Uzbekistan Airports JCS. The construction work was […]

Turin-Caselle Airport (TRN) in Italy has begun trials of a new personal mobility devices for passengers with reduced mobility. Ongoing trials are aimed at testing the SEDIA (SEat Designed for Intelligent Autonomy) wheelchair, an innovative device with autonomous driving and voice commands. It has been developed by start-up Alba Robot as part of Torino City […]

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Terminal 1 on Monday, March 14. When it opened, Terminal 1 was one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe and meant that for the first time at the German airport, all key passenger-facing processes, from check-in to boarding, were under one roof. […]

ACI World has today revealed the recipients of this year’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards which celebrate and showcase the world’s best airports as voiced by travellers. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a major impact on passenger traffic in 2021 with evolving health measures and a new set of expectations affecting how the airport […]

Passengers flying from London Stansted this summer will be able to enjoy a range of new bars, restaurants and retail outlets thanks to a major refurbishment of its departure lounge. More than £12 million is being invested by the airport and its retail partners to improve the customer experience as it prepares for the expected […]

Global airport operator, Fraport, is looking to offload its interests in Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “There is no justification for the attack on Ukraine by Russian forces. We condemn this war for being an armed attack on a sovereign state and its people – a clear […]

Gatwick Airport believes that it has developed a new handheld digital platform that will transform the efficiency of aircraft turnarounds, reducing delays and unnecessary fuel burn on the ground. Its AirTurn platform allows ground handlers to update air traffic controllers about changes to the turn process – in real time, direct from the apron. This […]

Dublin Airport has a potential new haunt for St Patrick’s Day after celebrating the official opening of a new immersive Guinness Bar Experience in Terminal 1. The new Guinness Bar will offer passengers an immersive experience pre-flight where they can sample a range of beers and ciders including Guinness, Ireland’s favourite stout, and Guinness 0.0, […]

Ferrovial Airports is about to widen its international portfolio after entering negotiations to secure a stake in the consortium responsible for building the new $9.5 billion Terminal One at New York JFK and agreeing to acquire a major interest in Dalaman Airport in Turkey. It announced today that it has reached an “exclusivity agreement” with […]

Aer Rianta International (ARI), a subsidiary of the state owned daa and the first company to operate duty-free shops in the world, has been chosen as the partner of choice by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA) to form a joint venture company to operate their portfolio of duty free and duty paid retail concessions in […]

London’s Gatwick Airport is to reopen its South Terminal in March – nearly two years after its ‘temporary closure’ – to help meet the expected strong demand for international travel this summer and beyond. The news comes on the day that testing requirements for those arriving into the UK have been eased significantly, with fully […]

National Aviation Services (NAS) and NAC2000 Corporation today launched their Pearl Lounge at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, Zambia. Located in the airport’s new terminal, the lounge is part of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited’s (ZACL) efforts to upgrade international airports in the country. Last June, ZACL awarded a five-year tender to NAS and […]

The airport security market size is anticipated to record a valuation of $25 billion by 2028, according to the most recent study by Global Market Insights Inc. The market growth can be attributed to an increase in the volume of air passengers across the globe. According to its findings, the Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) segment in the […]

The newly remodelled Adelholzener Bar in Terminal 2 at Munich Airport offers visitors an Alpine setting to enjoy their soft drinks, draft beers or Bavarian favourites such as veal sausages and meatloaf! The airport used the pandemic forced closure of the departures area bar to carry out extensive renovations, and according to the gateway, the […]

ACI Europe and IATA are urging Europe’s governments to lift all travel restrictions for fully vaccinated/recovered individuals holding a valid COVID Certificate – as advised by the new regime for travel within the EU which comes into force today. This new regime, set out by an EU Council Recommendation adopted on January 25, is based […]

LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity managing and redeveloping LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, has announced the opening of the second pedestrian skybridge, making the New York gateway the first airport in the world with dual skybridges. Spanning 482 feet the western skybridge is the final piece of the interior of the Terminal B facility to […]

Heathrow’s latest F&B offering, a 1930s Shanghai inspired Chinese restaurant, Shan Shui, has opened for business in Terminal 2. The outlet, officially opened this week by renowned restaurateur Ellen Chew, will double as a private viewing gallery with panoramic views of the runway. According to the operator, at its heart, Shan Shui will be all […]

Never have the restroom habits of travellers been of quite as much interest to airport operators as they have become over the last two years. While airports have always had to maintain high hygiene standards, the pandemic has forced a renewed focus on how high-touch, high-traffic areas are used, cleaned, and sanitised. Previously, for example, […]

Outdoor navigation technology has been in your pocket for years. In fact, you have to make a real effort to buy a phone that isn’t capable of providing a detailed map of the world. But as fantastic as this technology is, the navigation – which is enabled via GPS – often drops out when you […]

Lagardère Travel Retail has joined forces with Four Pillars to bring a pop-up gin shop to Terminal 1 at Melbourne Airport. Open now, the one-stop gin shop offers a selection of Four Pillars gins, including core and limited releases. A select range of ‘Made from Gin’ products is also available to purchase, including Breakfast Negroni, […]

Airport World reports on the opening of the world’s first digital duty free vending machine, the introduction of automated pizza kitchens at airports and the growth of food pick-up and delivery services. The duty free industry recently celebrated a new first at Geneva Airport – the launch of the world’s first digital duty free vending […]

A rare bottle of whisky on offer at a duty free store in Istanbul Airport has been sold for an incredible €488,000. Described as an extremely limited Yamazaki 55 year old whisky, it had been on sale at one of Unifree Duty Free’s outlets at the airport since December 2021. Due to the exceptionally limited […]

CEO, Luke Bugeja, tells Joe Bates more about Ferrovial Airports’ business strategy and expansion plans that include developing a network of vertiports in the US and UK. What is the appeal of airports to Ferrovial and do the company’s global ambitions burn as brightly today as when it first entered the market in 1998? Our […]

Passenger traffic and revenues may still be way down on pre-COVID levels, but airports and airlines continue to invest in new technology, according to SITA’s 2021 Air Transport IT Insights, published today. While IT budgets have stayed largely flat in 2021, the survey suggests that airport and airline CIOs are betting on technology to support […]

Travelex has launched a full range of foreign exchange bureaux and ATM services at London Stansted Airport, the UK’s fourth largest airport. The launch of services at London Stansted, which handled more than 28 million passengers in 2019, means Travelex now operates at all three Manchester Airports Group (MAG) airports having recently re-won and started […]

Dan Elliott from Frontier Economics considers some of the immense challenges the global pandemic has created for those planning or regulating air transport infrastructure. The aviation industry had grown used to short-term shocks. After both 9/11 and the global financial crisis of 2008, air travel came back, more or less on track, relatively quickly.  But […]

Nicky Chenery, general manager of SafetyCulture, and Edinburgh Airport’s security compliance team explain the crucial role technology must now take in managing compliance – and take us through the Scottish gateway’s journey to a more transparent, secure, compliant, and sustainable model. As air travel continues to ride the uncertainty of the pandemic, the demand to […]

ACI World’s vice president for economics, Patrick Lucas, considers the impact COVID has had on the finances of the world’s airports and the economic challenges ahead. Every couple of years ACI World, and its industry partners under the umbrella of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), release the Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders report, a publication […]

Managing director for aviation, Lance Lyttle, talks to Joe Bates about the multi-billion dollar development of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the gateway’s ambition to be the greenest airport in North America.   Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will open its new International Arrivals Facility (IAF), one of the key projects of its ongoing $3.9 billion Capital […]

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar has appointed Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI) and Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) as the master concessionaire for all F&B, duty free and commercial outlets in its newly-built Terminal 3. MMI and ELR note that they are joining forces to “create and deliver a world-class, next-generation customer experience at […]

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, will offer free, on-site COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots to the public at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) tomorrow and on December 29. The vaccine clinic will be open 11am to 5pm each of the days and will be […]

Airport World reviews some of the highlights of the recent ACI-LAC/World Annual General Assembly, Conference & Exhibition in Cancún. Aviation leaders from across the globe gathered in Cancún in November for the ACI-LAC/World Annual General Assembly, Conference & Exhibition, and for the more than 300 delegates lucky enough to be in Mexico, it provided the […]

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) has become the first gateway in South Asia to commission a Rosenbauer Tactical Simulator, an addition it says further strengthens its firefighting capabilities. With this simulator, firefighters can train in a realistic environment, master the tactical use of Rosenbauer Panther crash fire tenders (CFTs) as well as operate High Reach […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 100% operational again with all terminals, concourses, lounges, restaurants and retail outlets open for business following the reopening of the final phase of Terminal 3’s Concourse A. Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month’s peak seasonal travel […]

The San Diego International Airport has completed a major bond financing totalling $1.94 billion, the bulk of which will be used to pay for a portion of the New T1 programme. According to San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the new bond will reduce financing costs on a present value basis by an estimated $386.5 […]

Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm, is leading the charge on cementing the new single terminal Kansas City International Airport (MCI) as a world-class facility. As the lead engineer on the $1.5 billion project, the firm is working closely with project partner Siemens to equip MCI with innovative technology for a cutting-edge experience […]

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division (APD) has a new centralised headquarters that will foster interagency collaboration and innovation for decades to come. The $216-million Airport Police Facility at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officially opened yesterday with a ceremony led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. It consolidates police operations from eight standalone buildings […]

Karlee Butler Kennedy contends that the growth in geospatial data and digital indoor wayfinding can only enhance the passenger experience at airports. As people return to the world’s airports, they are finding an impressive assortment of creative leisure activities, world-class food and drink, and unique offerings that highlight a geographical region’s history and strengths. And […]

Dublin Airport has a new airside F&B outlet following the opening of the Nomad Café in Terminal 1. Nomad is said to be a “flexitarian café” that focuses on offering healthy, clean and wholesome food. Nomad executive chef, Jack O’Keeffe, said: “We have created an exciting menu where every layer and ingredient are consciously chosen […]

Airport retail design specialist The Design Solution (TDS) has helped develop Kypriaka, a vibrant new destination store at Larnaca Airport, in partnership with Aer Rianta (ARI) and airport operator Hermes. Hermes and retailer ARI appointed TDS to develop the terminal’s commercial planning and passenger flow strategies and also design the locally-themed new centrepiece of the […]

Fraport TAV Antalya has extended its concession to operate Antalya Airport in Turkey until 2051 after offering the highest bid in the tender and pledging to invest €765 million on upgrading the gateway to allow it to handle up to 80 million passengers per annum. It bid €7.25 billion for the concession rights to operate […]

A new A$10 billion rail link looks set to make travelling to Melbourne Airport quicker, easier and more environmentally friendly, writes Joe Bates. While few Asia-Pacific gateways can boast high speed rail links like the ones at Frankfurt, Paris CDG or Rome-Fiumicino airports in Europe, the region is no stranger to impressive train connections with […]

SOM associate principal, Jordan Pierce, explains how incorporating inclusivity and accessibility into the design of its new terminal will ensure a warm welcome for all passengers at Kansas City International Airport. Can we pump barbecue smells through the terminal?” one gentleman asked. “You’ll know where you are as soon as you step off the plane.”  […]

The provisional insolvency administrator for the Frankfurt-Hahn Airport Group has commissioned consultancy firm Falkensteg to look for one or more investors for it or any of its assets, including property. Investors have the option of acquiring all assets, units to be defined or single assets, which include Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. Located in Rhineland-Palatinate, the airport’s facilities […]

Airport World discovers more about a handful of the big infrastructure development projects planned for airports in North America, Central and East Asia. New Terminal 6 for New York JFK The Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has approved a public private-partnership agreement with JFK Millennium Partners […]

Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) today opened its new Airport Operations Centre (APOC) at Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. “As of today, Fiumicino takes a further step forward in the path towards the airport of the future,” enthused ADR CEO, Marco Troncone. “The new APOC integrated control centre, equipped with the best technologies, will allow for […]

Bangalore International Airport Limited’s managing director and CEO, Hari Marar, tells Joe Bates more about the ambitions and development plans for India’s third busiest gateway. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has been making milestones since it opened, and the desire to be the best airport in India means that this trend is unlikely to stop over […]

ACI Latin America-Caribbean’s director general, Rafael Echevarne, reflects on the impact COVID-19 has had on the region’s airports and the start of the recovery from the global pandemic. How difficult have the last 18 months been for airports in ACI’s Latin America-Caribbean region and have any countries been more impacted by the pandemic than others? […]

Smiths Detection has collaborated with Microsoft and Heathrow in the development of what is being described as the first of its kind multi-species AI model designed to uncover illegally trafficked wildlife concealed in baggage and air cargo. It is claimed that initial testing of the algorithm at Heathrow has shown a success rate of over […]

Sustainability is central to the design and development of Pittsburgh International Airport’s new $1.1 billion terminal, writes Gensler’s Ty Osbaugh. Sustainabilty at airports has become increasingly aligned only with environmental issues, and while these considerations are important, there are many other facets to it that are equally important to understand and incorporate in aviation development […]

Ian Littell from Axis Communications, considers the challenges of providing effective airport perimeter protection, and discusses the latest developments in security and safety measures. Airports are an important part of our critical national infrastructure. As such, it’s imperative that they are protected by a comprehensive security solution which is able to provide continual year-round surveillance […]

Cargo volumes at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) continue to go in the right direction, soaring by 14.7% in October, to reach 462,000 tonnes during the month. The airport also handled 137,000 passengers and 13,995 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 72.6% and 28.7%, respectively. HKG operator, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), attributes October’s increase […]

Corporacíon América Airports SA (CAAP) is to invest $300 million on developing its Uruguayan airport portfolio after its concession to operate and develop Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport was extended by another 20 years. As a result of the extension, CAAP’s 100% owned subsidiary, Puerta de Sur SA, will operate the gateway until 2053. And as […]

S&P Global Ratings has revised its view of the US airport sector, raising its rating to ‘positive’ from ‘stable’ following what it describes as an improving landscape for the aviation industry. It stated that the sector view revision to positive from stable reflects the resurgence of domestic travel, stabilising airline credit conditions, significant federal assistance, […]

Nearly 20 months after the last transatlantic flight carrying tourists landed in Las Vegas, Virgin Atlantic Airways returned to Las Vegas on Monday, November 8. The Boeing 787-9 touched down the same day policies for foreign national air travellers to the United States changed, allowing more vaccinated international visitors to enter the country. The flight was greeted in […]

Sydney Airport is set to be sold for a colossal A$23.6 billion ($17.5 billion) after the board unanimously voted to accept an offer from an infrastructure investment group. The offer from Sydney Aviation Alliance (SAA) has been on the table for over a month and the deal, should it go through, will make it one […]

Ferrovial Airports has announced plans to deploy a network of more than 25 vertiports – bases for electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to operate from – in the United Kingdom. It claims that the initiative is another step in its bid to lead the mobility of the future through the development of infrastructure for […]

London Gatwick Airport has selected Veovo’s Passenger Predictability solution to optimise security operations and improve passenger flow. According to the technology company, the partnership will allow the airport to efficiently handle increasing passenger numbers and build back better for a more sustainable, passenger-centred travel experience. Veovo’s AI-powered technology gives Gatwick real-time awareness of people’s movement […]

SITA today announced that it is to make its Digital Travel Declaration solution – which allows passengers to share required travel and health documentation with governments ahead of travel – available to governments free of charge globally. It claims that the move is aimed at addressing the global challenge of submitting and verifying health documentation […]

The soon-to-open new East Wing of Geneva Airport welcomed over 250 delegates this week as it hosted ACI Europe’s 31st Annual Congress & General Assembly, and it proved to be a lively affair, and welcome tonic for many participants, some of which were physically attending their first industry event in two years. The association’s director […]

The leaders of some of the world’s biggest airport lounge operators tell us a little more about their businesses, how they are coping with the traffic downturn and the potential impact COVID might have on the airport hospitality industry. Aviation and hospitality are arguably two of the industries to be hardest hit by the coronavirus […]

Judging by the queues at the new Qatar Duty Free (QDF) Apple Shop at Hamad International Airport, the outlet is going to be a firm favourite with visitors. Located at the heart of the airport terminal, QDF notes that it offers the full Apple product range, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, […]

We report on the ongoing upgrade and development of Peru’s gateway to the world, Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. On February 14 this year, Lima Airport Partners (LAP) marked the 20th anniversary of its concession for managing, operating and developing Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM). Fraport AG, the Frankfurt-based global airport operator, owns 80.1% […]

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has announced that the Orange Line will once resume operations between Dadeland South and Miami International Airport stations at the end of the month. From October 31, Orange Line trains will depart the Dadeland South and Miami Airport stations every 10 minutes weekdays during peak hours […]

It was a day of celebration for Reagan National today with federal, state and local officials joining Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) president and CEO John Potter at a dedication ceremony to mark the completion of the gateway’s $1 billion capital improvement project. Project Journey has added new 14-gate concourse to replace Gate 35X, which […]

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has revolutionised its visibility and protection from cyber attacks by transforming its security operations centre (SOC), writes Bridewell Consulting’s Martin Riley. MAG sees more than 60 million passengers flying through its airports including Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted each year. And with threats against critical national infrastructure increasing, having best-in […]

The duty free industry is celebrating a new first today – the launch of the world’s first digital duty free vending machine at Geneva Airport. Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland has partnered with Inflyter to introduce the new, innovative automated retail solution, which offers travellers a fully digital duty free shopping experience for arriving passengers. And […]

Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, which earlier this year completed the €2 million upgrade of its central terminal area, has begun the next phase of its infrastructure development programme. The Serbian gateway, which is part of the VINCI Airports’ global airport network, is confident that the next phase of its upgrade will further enhance the airport […]

San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 is a step closer to reality this morning following the Board’s approval for the maximum contract price and master project schedule for its design and construction. The Board approved a maximum contract price of $2.6 billion for the New T1 at San Diego International Airport (SAN), which will replace […]

Some good news from Swedavia today, which has announced that it will open a second terminal at Stockholm Arlanda in response to rising demand. The Swedish airport operator has decided to re-open Terminal 2 on October 26, providing support for the already open Terminal 5. It reveals that the decision was made as a result […]

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) today unveiled its roadmap to net zero carbon emissions, which it claims balances innovative approaches with practical actions that will see the gateway’s operations become net zero by 2030. Earlier this year, YVR was the first airport in Canada to commit to net zero emissions by 2030, accelerating its original climate commitment […]

Recognising that the condition of the public restrooms at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) can play a significant role in the comfort and satisfaction levels of airport users, the Maryland Board of Public Works has approved a contract to modernise and expand the existing facilities in Concourses B, C and D. The Board, chaired […]

Orlando International Airport’s new user-friendly South Terminal C will showcase an array of touchless technologies, writes Curtis Fentress, principal in charge of design at Fentress Architects. Orlando International Airport (MCO), which started 2021 as the busiest gateway in the US for passenger departures, is about a year away from opening its new South Terminal C. […]

New analysis outlines credible paths for the air transport sector to reach its updated long-term climate goal to hit net-zero carbon emissions in 2050. A combination of new technology, improvements in operations and infrastructure and a shift to sustainable aviation fuels can help get the sector close to decarbonisation in 2050, with residual emissions being […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has become the latest gateway to embrace an on-site food delivery and retail service with the launch of DXB&More. From today, all hungry passengers have to do is reach for their mobile to order food and drinks from DXB’s F&B outlets and have it delivered directly to them. And the ability […]

Dufry has extended its duty-free concession at Cambodia’s three international airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville or five and a half years. The airports handled a total of 11.6 million international travellers in 2019, although these kind of figures are not expected to return for a while as COVID continues to restrict global […]

Lagardère Travel Retail partnership has opened its first Natoo hybrid store, which serves as a restaurant and health food shop, at Frankfurt Airport. The outlet, located in Terminal 1A (airside) at the German gateway, has opened in partnership with airport operator, Fraport, and will followed by second store next month. Natoo’s tagline is ‘Healthy all […]

Airports continue to innovate when it comes to finding new ways of operating safely during the global pandemic, and for some this has meant opening on-site COVID testing facilities, writes Joe Bates. Aviation’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to gain momentum with domestic travel booming in some parts of the world and hopes […]

San Francisco International Airport’s two newest AirTrain stations, constructed at the Grand Hyatt at SFO and Long-Term Parking, have earned Gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programme developed by the US Green Building Council. The two locations were built as part of a project which extended the AirTrain electric people […]

It’s not quite as miraculous as turning water into wine, but Munich Airport’s Airbräu brewery has successfully turned beer into a gin-style spirit to avoid 4,000 litres of leftover beer going to waste. Like many bars, pubs and hospitality venues across the globe, food and drink sales at Munich’s popular Airbräu restaurant have been adversely […]

Kansai Airports is renovating Kansai International Airport’s existing facilities and introducing new technology to enhance the passenger experience. Kansai Airports has launched the largest airport renovation project in the region for 50 years to boost the appeal of Kansai International Airport (KIX) and support Japan’s post-pandemic recovery. The move is in line with VINCI Airports’ […]

President and CEO, Kimberly Becker, updates Joe Bates on San Diego International Airport’s recovery from COVID and its $3 billion New T1 programme. With traffic on the rise and a host of new domestic routes launched in the last few months, San Diego International Airport’s bounce back from COVID is beginning to gather pace. Sixteen […]

From frequent flight delays or cancellations to an increase in the number of unruly passengers the rebound in air travel this summer came with significant challenges, writes James Pacansky, CFO of Erie Regional Airport Authority. The Delta variant has already injected more uncertainty into the future of travel, while the forecast is unclear about the […]

ACI World has congratulated Singapore Changi for becoming the first in the airport in the Asia-Pacific region to successfully complete the Airport Health Measures Audit Program. The Airport Health Measures Audit Program – developed in partnership with Bureau Veritas – supports airports by addressing their specific risks and reassuring passengers through an on-site audit of […]

Amadeus’ touchless bag drop technology is being trialled at London’s Heathrow Airport. The technology uses proximity sensors to allow passengers to check-in their luggage without touching the screens on the kiosks. The new contactless experience has initially been installed on six of Heathrow’s Auto Bag Drop (ABD) units provided by ICM Airport Technics, an Amadeus […]

The F&B offering in London’s Gatwick’s North Terminal were boosted this morning by the opening of two new outlets, Tortilla, and Juniper and Co. Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, already has 51 outlets across the UK, but the latest offering at Gatwick will be its first venture into airports. Passengers will be […]

CEO, Raúl Revuelta Musalem, tells Joe Bates more about Mexico’s Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) and the ambitious development plans for its airports. Can you tell us a little more about your airport network? We operate 12 airports in the Pacific region of Mexico and two in Jamaica – Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay […]

New data shows that the UK’s continued tough travel restrictions have seen the aviation sector across Europe recover twice as quickly as in the UK – with bookings now at around 60% of pre-COVID levels, compared to 30% in the UK – as Europe capitalises on the progress of its vaccine rollout programmes. Gatwick Airport […]

Hungry passengers can now use their smart phones or digital devices to order their favourite food for pick-up or delivery at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The service, available via Fraport USA’s new GateWaiter Mobile Meal Delivery Service app, offers food selections from a variety of the airport’s eateries, including hometown greats Bar Symon, Inca Tea […]

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has become the first airport in South Carolina to be accredited in ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme. The Airport Health Accreditation recognises the airport’s commitment to prioritising health and safety measures in line with the aviation industry’s best practices. The accreditation programme enables airports to demonstrate to passengers, staff, regulators, and […]

People with disabilities travelling through Queenstown Airport can now do so a little easier thanks to the introduction of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. Sunflower lanyards are a way for passengers to discreetly let staff know they have a non-obvious disability and may need additional support or extra time to access services, move through the […]

The first half of 2021 has been a busy one for Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), which has quietly gone about expanding in the international arena by undertaking a feasibility study for an airport development project in Laos and been awarded the concession to operate and develop Manta Airport in Ecuador. KAC – which in 2019 […]

San Antonio based fast food operator, Whataburger, will join the list of F&B providers at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) when it opens an outlet at the Texas gateway early next year. Opened by F&B concessionaire, Paradies Lagardère, Whataburger’s outlet will be located in Terminal A’s foodcourt and will feature a custom art wall to […]

Aberdeen and Glasgow airports in the UK have been praised for their high safety standards following an international COVID-secure audit scheme introduced to give passengers confidence in flying as the safe restart of international travel continues. Launched by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the voluntary scheme was introduced following a recommendation from the UK Government’s […]

Finavia today reminded the world that the “magnificent new entrance” to Terminal 2 at Helsinki Airport will open to passengers on December 1 – exactly 100 days from now. The new entrance, which will lead to new traffic arrangements to the terminal, is the largest development project in Finavia’s history. “The airport’s new entrance and […]

Despite some setbacks, the development of Denver International Airport’s Great Hall is still very much a work in progress, with the Colorado gateway recently breaking ground on Phase 2 of the project. The multi-phased project includes a renovation of the airport’s Jeppesen Terminal to create an airport for the future with enhanced safety and security, […]

In announcing a DKK851 million loss before tax for the first half of 2021, Copenhagen Airports today spelt out the harsh realities of the impact of the COVID pandemic on aviation. The loss came as just 1.4 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in the first half of the year compared to the 14.4 […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year and expects to handle more than one million passengers over an 11 day period that traditionally marks the end of the summer holidays in the UAE. The expected surge in numbers to over 100,000 passengers a day at DXB also coincides with the […]

Iyad Hindiyeh, Amadeus Airport IT’s senior vice president for strategy and marketing, considers some of the integration challenges and opportunities facing airports today. Airports are extremely complex operational environments with many different applications that need to share information in order to deliver a safe and efficient service, therefore the integration of the IT systems governing […]

Rome Fiumicino International Airport today reopened the check-in area in Terminal 1, which has been closed since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in March 2020. The airport, currently handling around 60,000 passengers a day compared to pre-COVID levels of 154,000, believes that the move will help it maximise service and safety levels as demand slowly […]

Hong Kong’s largest independent cargo handler, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), has taken its first step into robotics with the opening of a new Automated Parts Store (APS) for its giant container and loose cargo handling systems. The new, robotically-operated parts dispensing system enables urgently-needed spares to be quickly accessed around the clock, […]

The Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has approved a public private-partnership agreement with JFK Millennium Partners – including JetBlue Airways – to build a new $3.9 billion state-of-the-art Terminal 6 at JFK International Airport. The new 1.2 million square foot terminal, which will connect to JetBlue’s […]

London City Airport (LCY) has unveiled its first ever public art commission – Destination London, by the critically acclaimed East London artist, Anne Hardy. This unique work, located in the West Pier arrivals corridor, will greet millions of international visitors as passengers return to the airport and London reopens to the world. According to LCY, […]

Global airport operator, Fraport AG, today unveiled its interim results for the first half of 2021, and it makes for better reading than its end of year 2020 accounts, with traffic “markedly picking up” in the second quarter of the year. Indeed, despite a weak first quarter, for the first time since the outbreak of […]

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has announced that four new leasing opportunities are up for grabs in Chicago O’Hare’s newly modernised and expanded Terminal 5. The Terminal 5 leasing opportunity is open to all businesses, and URW has evolved its Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP) to encourage small, local business and ACDBE participation. In addition, to better serve customers, URW […]

Marshall Retail Group has unveiled its newest airport retail concept, Capitol File News, and a newly-added InMotion location are now open inside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The newest openings inside DCA mark the retail group’s largest collection of stores as a family of brands under the WH Smith umbrella. According to the Marshall […]

Frankfurt Airport will open a new €5.7 million multi-media Visitor Center in Terminal 1 on August 2 specifically designed to showcase the “fascinating world of aviation up-close”. Located in Hall C, the 1,200 metre attraction will boast a number of interactive and other features that the airport is confident will offer an exciting glimpse behind […]

London City Airport (LCY) in the UK today released a new video to welcome back and support passengers as they resume travelling through the airport this summer. It has timed the release to coincide with what it calls building momentum at the airport at the start of the summer holiday season, with more international flights […]

TAV Airports handled 13.1 million passengers and generated €156 million in revenue across its global airport network during the first half of 2021. The passenger total amounted to 8 million domestic and 5.1 million international passengers at its airports, which include gateways in Turkey, Tunisia, Croatia, North Macedonia and Saudi Arabia. “We had a very […]

VINCI Airports has added Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport to its global airport network after signing an agreement to resume responsibility for its management, operation and development for the next 15 years from January 1, 2022. All current staff at the French gateway will join the wholly owned VINCI Airports subsidiary handling the Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport concession. […]

The Canadian government has announced that it will provide an additional C$1.167 million in funding to the province of Saskatchewan to ensure that it is able to continue the support of essential air services for remote communities. It notes that the global COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for Northern and remote communities which depend […]

Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport will soon have a new duty free partner in Lagardère Travel Retail after the two signed off on a pioneering profit-share agreement in Paris yesterday. Global airport operator, Fraport, is responsible for operating and developing the Peruvian gateway through subsidiary, Lima Airport Partners (LAP). Both LAP and Lagardère Travel Retail […]

ACI World today released a new tool to assist airports in planning for the return of passengers to their terminals as hopes grow that aviation’s recovery from COVID will gain momentum in the second half of the year. The new Static Capacity Tool – developed by ACI World Business Partner (WBP), Redwater Consulting Group – […]

Collins Aerospace has completed deployment of its ARINC SelfPass biometrics solution at Tokyo Haneda, one of the busiest airports in Asia-Pacific. The technology will help streamline passenger journeys through Haneda by reducing the need for physical interaction with staff and bottlenecks at multiple passenger touchpoints. “Our ‘Face Express’ system will allow passengers to efficiently proceed […]

Chief development officer, Bernardo Gogna, provides an update on Los Angeles International Airport’s $14.5 billion Capital Improvement Program and the recent opening of two key new facilities. As Los Angeles gears up to welcome the world over the course of the next seven years as the host city for Super Bowl LVI and the 2028 […]

LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B has been awarded LEED v4 Gold certification for the completed phases of the new terminal, which encompasses the Arrivals & Departures Hall, Eastern Concourse, Eastern Pedestrian Bridge and the Central Heating and Refrigeration Plant. Operator, LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), notes that it makes LaGuardia Terminal B the first airport project in […]

Lagardère Travel Retail has completed the renovation of the luxury fashion & accessories offer in the domestic terminal of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. It is confident that the upgrade, which includes the opening of 18 boutiques showcasing many of the world’s most coveted luxury brands in China, will “elevate the travel retail experience at one […]

London Heathrow, desperate to speed up the return of safe international travel, today flagged up a new report by the Centre for Economics & Business Research, which claims that aviation needs to be at the heart of the UK’s future economic growth. The new research highlights how the UK could undergo an economic pivot post-Brexit, […]

Airports Council International (ACI) today announced that Istanbul Airport has become the first airport in the world to be reaccredited through the Airport Health Accreditation programme. The Turkish gateway was the first in the world to be accredited in 2020 and now the airport is the first in the world to be reaccredited for another […]

Ten years after gaining independence, South Sudan is welcoming the world’s international aviation operators and airliners into its skies following the launch of a state-of-the-art, online airspace management system. In a move that is expected to open up new routes, boost tourism and generate much-needed revenue for the economy, operators of commercial, cargo and aid […]

Enhanced wireless networks are key to enabling the digitalisation of airports and taking performance and safety to the next level, writes Nokia’s global aviation practice lead, Richard van Wijk. Given its reliance on the movement of people, it is little wonder the aviation industry was among those hit hardest by the pandemic. Countries locked down, […]

Bahrain International Airport’s new terminal gives it the potential to grow and become a firm favourite with passengers over the coming decades, writes Joe Bates. Bahrain International Airport’s new state-of-the-art terminal is the crowning jewel of a $1.1 billion infrastructure development programme designed to transform it into a world-class boutique airport and a key driver […]

China’s newest gateway to the world, the $11 billion Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province, has opened for business. Located in Jianyang district, approximately 50km east of downtown Chengdu, the new airport will play an important role in the development of the Sichuan Province economy and its 80 million inhabitants. Considered as a hub […]

Lounge operator Airport Dimensions has acquired the No1 Lounges business through joint venture SwissportALD. The acquisition will see Airport Dimensions and Swissport operate nine No1 lounge portfolio spaces at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Birmingham airports in the UK. As part of the acquisition, Airport Dimensions and Swissport will be taking on the iconic No1 […]

After being awakened from its 15-month long hibernation, Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1 and Concourse D welcomed back their first passengers today. The first arrival was a flynas flight XY201 from the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Linked to Terminal 1 by an airport train, the $1.2 billion Concourse D, opened in February 2016 as […]

Edinburgh Airport today published its new sustainability strategy, which includes plans to build an eleven-acre solar farm on the airfield. The announcement and strategy comes on the same day as the airport confirms carbon neutral status for emissions under its direct control, demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future. The solar farm, the first […]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that it is to award $8 billion in grants to “keep US airport workers employed, construction projects going and help US airports recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic”. The funding for the grants comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 President Biden signed into […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has officially opened of one of the world’s largest and most modern airport labs for the on-site processing of COVID-19 RT PCR tests. Located close to Terminal 2, the 20,000 square-foot laboratory is a dedicated facility for round-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB. And according to […]

The UK’s leading airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air service navigation providers today reaffirmed their joint commitment to a net zero future for UK aviation, setting out a first set of interim decarbonisation targets that will act as milestones on the path to net zero aviation by 2050. Industry is targeting at least an overall […]

Glasgow Airport’s team of volunteer community first responders have been recognised for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Paul Scott, Kevin McGuire, Steven Mitchell, Douglas McShane, Jeanette Paton, Jennifer Mulligan, Philip Gillespie and Katy Gracey were presented with a commemorative coin from the Scottish Ambulance Service for outstanding dedication and care. Six of those […]

Changing consumption patterns due to the global pandemic is causing the emergence of new mega trends in travel retail, according to the latest consumer research from m1nd-set. The research introduces a range of new consumer trends that are affecting shopper behaviour and highlights, several of which will be specific to the travel retail sector. And, […]

As restrictions begin to ease in the UK and with many hoping that more countries will be added to the government’s green list, online searches for flights are increasing, writes Entec Si’s Eman Al-Hillawi. While this is positive news for airports, many of which have struggled during the pandemic, it is crucial that they put […]

Ljubljana Airport today inaugurated its new 10,000sqm passenger terminal, although the Slovenian gateway’s key new asset won’t officially open to passengers until July 1. Operator Fraport Slovenija, a subsidiary of global airport operator Fraport AG, has invested some €21 million in the ultra-modern terminal, which will ensure that Ljubljana Airport is equipped to meet future […]

Frequent flyers on Star Alliance member airlines will soon be able to use their biometric identity across any participating airline at any participating airport following a new agreement between the world’s largest airline alliance, NEC Corporation and SITA. The agreement announced today is aimed at accelerating the availability of biometric self-service touchpoints across Star Alliance’s […]

Travel retail operator, Gebr Heinemann, has revealed that it is gearing up for aviation’s recovery and is in a good place to resume where it left off before the global pandemic, despite a 67% drop in revenues in 2020. “We firmly believe in the travel market and are setting our organisation up for the restart, […]

Munich Airport will resume operations in Terminal 1 this summer in anticipation of rising passenger numbers. Like many airports around the world, the airport decided to close the terminal to traffic to concentrate operations in Terminal 2 to make best use of its resources and save money. The German gateway handled 400 flights and 36,000 […]

Incheon International Airport has announced that it will open a new Cool Center to handle perishable cargo shipments in the second half of this year. The new complex is expected to improve the airport’s hub competitiveness by reducing the transhipment time and costs for consignments ranging from fresh fruit and cut flowers to COVID-19 vaccines. […]

Multiplex Constructions has won the contract to design and build the passenger terminal at Australia’s planned new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The A$5.3 billion airport is slated to open in late 2026 and will initially be equipped to handle around 10 million passengers per annum. Airbiz is the designated specialist airport planner on […]

The transformation of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is gathering pace, with Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, unveiling a $477.5 million extension to Terminal 1 on Friday – the second new addition to LAX’s infrastructure in the space of a few weeks after the opening of Tom Bradley International Terminal’s West Gates. The latest development […]

ACI Europe has issued a warning to governments about the risk of travellers having to spend hours at Europe’s airports over the summer due to COVID-19 checks. With the on-going and expected further easing of travel restrictions both within Europe and beyond on the back of improving epidemiological situations, Europe’s airports are looking forward to […]

London Luton Airport (LLA) has announced the adoption of a number of new digital services to improve the passenger experience as well as the introduction of new software designed to automate the billing of the airport’s aeronautical revenues. The new digital services include the introduction of unlimited 10mb/s Wi-Fi across the terminal building, the creation of […]

San Francisco International Airport’s $2.4 billion Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is a step closer to completion today following the opening of seven new departure gates and a new post-security connector to the International Terminal. Also unveiled today was a new museum gallery and a new display of exhibit content honouring the life and legacy of […]

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) continues to enhance its infrastructure, this morning celebrating the opening of the $1.73 billion West Gates at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. According to Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, the latest investment delivers a modern guest experience with cutting-edge technology, stunning architecture, a checked-bag storage system, biometric boarding gates and […]

A Southwest Airlines flight to Tampa today had the honour of becoming the first aircraft to taxi under the new eastern pedestrian skybridge at New York-LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B. Passengers inside Terminal B awaiting their flights were able to watch the first aircraft taxi right underneath them as they stood inside the pedestrian skybridge. The […]

The health and safety measures in place at London City Airport have been formally approved as COVID-secure by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Public Health England (PHE), in line with the CART Take-Off guidelines set out by the ICAO. During a rigorous two-day assessment, which included a full audit of the passenger journey […]

ACI World has announced that its industry-leading Customer Experience Global Summit will return in September 2021 to be hosted as a hybrid event in Montréal, Canada. The third edition of ACI World’s Customer Experience Global Summit will be held at Montreal’s Palais des Congres on September 8 and 9, exploring the theme Gateway to the […]

Maryland governor, Larry Hogan, yesterday toured the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s new Concourse A Extension project. According to the airport, the much anticipated development which will add important services and amenities for Maryland residents and visitors as it remains the busiest airport in the region. “BWI Marshall Airport serves as a critical engine for […]

California’s John Wayne Airport has announced the opening of a Fly Well Clinic, making it one of just a few airports in the US to offer travellers onsite COVID-19 vaccinations, urgent care, telehealth consultations and vital screenings. Located post-security in Terminal B across from Gate 10, the new clinic also will offer flu shots during […]

The retail mix at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Mrshall Airport (BWI) has been enhanced with the opening of two new outlets operated by the Marshall Retail Group (MRG). MRG, a WHSmith company, believes that the new additions – District Market and America! – in Concourse D will appeal to passengers as both provide a little slice […]

In the new edition of its Infrastructure & Energy Outlook magazine, S&P Global Ratings examines how airports and aviation have fared amid a resurgence of restrictions in Europe, and looks ahead to the future of the sector. “The rebound in European air traffic has been delayed, and a more meaningful recovery will now have to […]

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is to adopt Veovo’s airport-wide flow management technology to obtain a greater understanding of passenger movement beyond the security checkpoint and into other areas of the terminal and concourses. Specifically, the airport will be able to see how travellers, processes and airlines interact and interconnect. “Providing memorable and predictable journeys, from […]

Kosovo’s Pristina International Airport – Adem Jashari  has enhanced its self check-in options for passengers by rolling out Auto Bag Drop (ABD) units across its terminal. The new additions – 10 ABD units from ICM Airport Technics, an Amadeus company – are part of the latest technology upgrade by Limak Kosovo International Airport JSC, which […]

Miami International Airport is to be used as a test site by the US’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to trial new drone detection technology. The initial test of technologies that will detect, track, and identify (DTI) drones – also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – from entering into restricted airspace. “TSA’s establishment and management […]

Frankfurt Airport operator, Fraport, will take over responsibility for the bulk of all security operations at the German hub from January 1 next year. According to a new agreement signed with the federal authorities, from 2023, Fraport will be responsible for the organisation, financing, management and performance of aviation security at Frankfurt Airport. The handover […]

Milas-Bodrum in Turkey has become the sixth gateway in TAV Airports’ global portfolio to receive Airport Carbon Accreditation certification, the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management programme for airports. The self titled gateway to the Turkish Riviera has obtained Level 1 ‘Mapping’ certification in the ACI Europe launched programme. Milas-Bodrum Airport’s general manager, Iclal Kayaoglu, said: […]

With its new state-of-the-art terminal, Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport has never been better equipped to offer passengers a unique and memorable experience, writes Joe Bates. It may not have had that many visitors yet due to the continued impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, but the new terminal at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport […]

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has gained Airport Health Accreditation from ACI, the certification officially endorsing its efforts to ensure the health and safety of passengers and airport workers. The Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) programme is designed to help reassure the travelling public about the safety of airport facilities and the precautions being taken by airports […]

Global airport operator, TAV Airports, has officially taken over responsibility for operating Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan. TAV now owns 85% of Almaty Airport and its associated fuel and catering businesses with the Kazakhstan Infrastructure Fund – managed by VPE Capital and backed by Kazyna Capital Management – holding the remaining 15% stake. Almaty is the […]

Amadeus has signed a new long-term partnership with Cambodia Airports to provide it with a cloud platform that it believes will make it easier for the operator to realise its strategic vision. The IT giant is confident that the introduction of it fully integrated cloud platform for airport passenger services at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap […]

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has become the latest US gateway to open a COVID-19 testing facility operated by the XpresSpa Group. The XpresCheck at SFO is a pop-up facility located pre-security, near the baggage claim area on the Arrivals level at Terminal 3 and boasts nine separate testing rooms that between them are capable […]

TAV Airports today revealed that its global airport network handled 3.3 million domestic and 1.1 million international passengers during the first three months of 2021. The passenger total is 60% down on the corresponding period last year and was accompanied by a 50% drop in revenues. TAV Airports Holding’s executive board member and CEO Sani […]

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Austin Energy are celebrating the completion of a new solar panel array constructed on the airport campus that will produce 1.8 megawatts of locally-generated, renewable energy. The new solar array marks a milestone in both Austin Energy’s Community Solar Program and the Texas gateway’s portfolio of sustainability efforts. The array will […]

Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) this week held a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for all airport workers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and Willow Run (YIP) airports. Participants ranged from tenants who lease space at YIP to employees of the airlines, concessionaires and janitorial service providers. WCAA partnered with Rite Aid to provide clinics on-site […]

The small regional airport of Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region of Central France has become the first airport in country to offer sustainable biofuel to its airlines. The VINCI Airports operated gateway began offering the Air bp manufactured biofuel produced from food oil yesterday, and notes that Michelin Air Services is its first customer. […]

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and American Airlines are celebrating the soft opening of 14 gates in a newly constructed 225,000-square-foot concourse at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). A major milestone in the airport’s Project Journey capital improvement programme, the new concourse will serve as the home of American Airlines’ regional operations at DCA […]

Etihad Airways will become the first airline to trial the IATA Travel Pass app, which ratifies the travel health credentials of passengers, on flights from Abu Dhabi to Chicago, New York, Washington and Toronto. The trial will run from now and May 31, with both Etihad and IATA hoping that it will simplify the travel […]

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) now offers COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests with results guaranteed in less than an hour with the addition of a new testing option at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The tests are in addition to PCR tests being offered for sale at several locations throughout the airport (with results […]

Uber Eats is now available from a variety of HMSHost-operated restaurants across Terminals 1 and 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. According to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), the “innovative partnership” offers convenience and contactless ordering for consumers, while also providing additional revenue for on-site restaurants. It is also believed to make Pearson the […]

The Information Security Management System at Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) has received ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification from Bureau Veritas. Airport operator, MATAR, notes that the globally recognised certification “affirms its ongoing commitment to implement industry best practises and continuously enhance its information security management system”. The Doha gateway insists that while striving to provide a […]

Airports in Australia and New Zealand have been celebrating the reopening of quarantine free trans-Tasman travel for the first time in 12 months. In Brisbane, Brisbane Airport opened 16 ‘Green Lane’ services yesterday to accommodate Air New Zealand and Qantas flights between BNE and Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The airport reports that all eight arrivals […]

Hamad International Airport’s senior vice president for technology and innovation, Suhail Kadri, discusses his gateway’s IT strategy. What is your airport’s philosophy/strategy when it comes to the trial and introduction of new technology? We are committed to harnessing the power of digital innovation and technology to deliver the passenger experience and operations of a true […]

Aviation leaders from across the globe and an impressive 27,000 viewers virtually watched the recent World Aviation Conference (WAC) in South Korea, hosted by Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC). This year’s event was staged a few weeks ahead of the upcoming 20th anniversary of Incheon International Airport, which within five years of its opening was […]

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has chosen Jacobs to help it enhance the overall airline and passenger experience at Reagan National and Dulles airports. Under the terms of the agreement, Jacobs will provide facilities condition assessment (FCA) and enterprise asset management (EAM) services at both Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International […]

Fortem Technologies co-founder and CEO, Timothy Bean, provides his thoughts on the challenges airports face from the 1% of drones that pose a threat to aircraft and airfield safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US sees more than 100 rogue drone sighting reports each month, and with the number of commercial and recreational […]

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) to improve its waste management. As a result, the airport (DOH) says that it will develop and modernise its facilities by implementing new, more effective methods of waste management. The MoU outlines the collaboration between MATAR […]

Glasgow Airport has been awarded an International Safety Award for protecting its employees from the risk of injury and ill health at work. The airport has won an International Safety Award with a Distinction from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the […]

Each year airlines begin new sustainability initiatives, experiment with biofuels, and offset their carbon emissions on selected flights; yet, sustainability should not only be a topic of discussion when an aircraft is in the air but also when it’s on the ground. In just one year, a Boeing 777, B787, Airbus A330, and A350, burn […]

ACI World’s vice president for safety and operations, Thomas Romig, reflects on some operational safety considerations for airports in 2021. The last year has brought some significant changes to society as a whole and has had a huge impact on the aviation industry. The most significant of these impacts is the dramatic decrease in passengers […]

New research by the Airport Operators Association (AOA) and ABTA – The Travel Association have questioned the UK government’s new traffic light system for the resumption of international air travel from England. They warn that the cost of PCR testing for international travel in the UK is double that of testing in other European countries. […]

The road to recovery for airports starts at the intersection of health and security, writes Johnson Controls’ Ramsey Nuwar. Although it might not seem like it at the moment, the air travel industry can expect a strong rebound in passenger volumes this year, with a recent study finding that 70% of those surveyed plan to […]

VINCI Airports has won the 30-year concession to operate and develop seven airports in the north of Brazil – Manaus, Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Cruzeiro do Sul, Tabatinga and Téfé. Considered the gateways to the Amazon region and neighbouring Brazilian states, the airports welcomed 4.7 million passengers between them in 2019, the bulk […]

New research by Amadeus indicates that 90% of travellers would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future travel. Indeed, the study, commissioned by Amadeus and delivered by Censuswide, claims that 41% of travellers were keen to book an international trip within six weeks of restrictions lifting. The study, says Amadeus, found that just […]