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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

SITA has been awarded a landmark deal by the Airports Authority of India to provide technology to 43 of India’s biggest airports. India’s Civil Aviation is among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and will be a major growth engine to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2024. The deal will see improvements over 2,700 […]

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 […]

SITA and UrbanV, the Italian vertiport operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a digital-first passenger experience for UrbanV’s vertiports in Rome, one of which is set to be at the city’s Fiumicino Airport. From UrbanV’s test vertiport at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, both parties will design, test, and refine a new passenger processing […]

Amadeus has acquired a minority stake in Caphenia — a future producer of synthesis gas, the feedstock of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — forming part of the technology firm’s commitment to supporting the industry on its journey toward sustainable travel. In just 12 months, this represents Amadeus’ second investment in a company focused on making the […]

ABM says that it is evolving its innovative data-enabled smart parking solution, ABM Vantage, “through the introduction and expansion of services tailored to the aviation industry”. “America’s relationship with air travel is notoriously stressful, and parking at airports has historically been no different,” said Sean Bromfield, president of aviation at ABM. “We are changing airport […]

Airlines and airports are facing a surge in baggage mishandling rates amidst the growing number of passengers, with the number of mishandled bags almost doubling from 2021 to 2022 to 7.6 bags per thousand passengers, according to SITA’s 2023 Baggage IT Insights report released today. SITA claims that the shortage of skilled staff, resumption of […]

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 […]

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 […]

ACI World and ICAO today announce SITA’s renewed and long-standing support of the leading training and leadership programme for airport executives, the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP). Since its launch in 2007, AMPAP has become the globally recognised and respected curriculum for career development and excellence for airport executives, benefitting over 1,200 participants to […]

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”. […]

Hong Kong International Airport has selected SITA to provide a carbon management platform to monitor data on carbon emissions across the airport environment. The move will help the airport track key performance indicators as the airport progresses towards its net zero carbon goal. SITA’s carbon management platform, to be fully deployed by summer 2023, will […]

SITA has been selected as the preferred digital and IT systems partner for vertoports for Volocopter, a pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM). Under the agreement, SITA has become the latest investor to join Volocopter’s Series E funding round, cementing the strategic vision espoused by this partnership.  According to its backers, UAM will offer “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 […]

Assaia is confident that the deployment of its turnaround control solution at Halifax Stanfield International Airport will ensure the more efficient use of the Canadian gateway’s existing infrastructure, improve the on-time performance of its airlines and enhance safety. The solution, a combination of Artificial Intelligence and computer vision, will monitor aircraft turnarounds and will also […]

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 […]

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 […]

JCDecaux has renewed its advertising concession with Singapore Changi Airport for another seven years, with an option for a further five year extension taking its contract to 2034. As air travel rebounds, JCDecaux believes that the extended partnership will harness growing industry trends to curate brand building media offerings that are data-driven and offer more  […]

Global air and travel services provider, dnata, continues to expand at Erbil International Airport (EBL), recently breaking ground on its new, 20,000sqm cargo warehouse. The new facility represents an investment of $14 million and will create up to 50 additional, direct jobs with dnata in Iraq. The foundation stone for the cargo warehouse, which is […]

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 […]

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 […]

Neste and Airbus have signed an agreement to advance the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within the aviation sector. Both parties are said to share a vision that SAF is a key solution to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions of air travel, and today’s announcement aims to accelerate the aviation sector’s transition to SAF. […]

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 […]

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and its construction partners, Whiting-Turner and Siemens Logistics, have celebrated the start of the delivery and installation of the new outbound baggage handling system. After processing outbound passenger bags for over twenty years, the baggage handling system at AUS is being replaced with an upgraded system to meet modern industry standards. […]

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s new Red Sea International Airport and AMAALA resort, has appointed Reem Emirates Saudi to construct the façade and roof shell of the new gateway and its landside facilities. The airport will be managed by daa International, the international subsidiary of Irish airport operator, daa, which last […]

Modalis Infrastructure Partners, a global strategic investment advisory and professional services firm for the airport industry, has redesigned and re-launched its airportIR platform. The company believes that the new-look offers users a more intuitive user experience, enhanced tools for deal tracking, upgraded operator profiles and much more. Modalis’ airportIR is designed to be a trusted […]

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, […]

Leading data platform for the global travel industry, OAG, today released Megahubs 2022, the Top 50 most internationally connected airports in the world. Last updated in 2019, Megahubs provides fresh insight into how ongoing travel disruptions are affecting global connectivity. While London Heathrow (LHR) maintained its first-place ranking among European hubs, its global ranking dropped […]

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 […]

Digital solutions providers AeroParker and Omnevo have announced a strategic partnership that they believe will help take “airport digital ancillary revenue to the next level”. The agreement expands the reach of the Omnevo digital platform into car parking, a key ancillary revenue market for almost every airport, enlarging the platform’s capabilities across the spectrum of […]

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 […]

Arora Engineers, one of the largest minority-owned infrastructure services firms in North America, has announced a new partnership with Jacmel Growth Partners. According to ACI World Business Partner, Arora, this strategic partnership will have important implications for the AEC industry. Capital from Jacmel will support Arora as it continues to expand upon its core infrastructure […]

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 […]

ABM has signed a new five-year contract worth $25 million a year to provide “comprehensive custodial, window cleaning and related hygiene and disposal services” for the airside facilities at Chicago O’Hare’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The contract represents a significant expansion of ABM’s current work at O’Hare. The company notes that it “has been […]

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has become the latest major gateway to turn to cloud-based technology to enhance the passenger journey.  Its new Amadeus Flow cloud solution supports innovations such as biometrics, contactless services and off-airport check-in and bag drop. In a phased migration, YVR has upgraded its connectivity using multiple high-speed network connections to a […]

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 […]

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 […]

Bechtel Engineering and Construction India Private Limited has signed a contract to support Tata Projects in its delivery of Delhi’s new Noida International Airport. Tata Projects’ work includes constructing the terminal, runways and airside infrastructure roads, utilities, landside facilities and other ancillary buildings for an opening capacity of 12 million passengers annually by 2024. Tata […]

NAV CANADA has become the first air navigation service provider (ANSP) in North America to deploy the time-based separation tool, Intelligent Approach. Deployed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, this new technology adds additional tactical capacity across the airport’s five runways and will help reduce delays, fuel burn and CO2 emissions, particularly in high wind conditions. […]

San Antonio International Airport’s new Terminal C is a step closer to reality following the news that Corgan has been approved to provide planning services for the Terminal Development Program and its enabling projects. The international architecture and design firm’s services will lay the groundwork for Terminal C at the Texas gateway. Corgan and its […]

Airport charges, a much-debated topic between airport and airline industry bodies, have again come to the forefront as the industry rebuilds from the upheaval of the last few years. ACI World strongly advocates for the shift from heavy-handed regulation, arguing that cost-based pricing should be supplemented by responding to market signals and the competitive landscape. […]

Rohde & Schwarz and its local partner have been contracted by the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to equip nine regional towers across the country with new communication systems. It will provide the airports with its R&S Series5200 air traffic control (ATC) radio and CERTIUM VCS-4G, the company’s IP based voice communications system. “Rohde […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Air Navigation and Weather Services (ANWS) of Chinese Taipei has chosen Rohde & Schwarz to equip the nation’s airports with reliable communications and the highest level of security in case of emergencies. “This contract underscores our commitment to providing uncompromising quality to our customer and partner ANWS,” said Marius Münstermann, Rohde & Schwarz’s vice […]

Global ground services provider, dnata, has been appointed to manage easyJet’s inflight retail services across the airline’s extensive network. The contract marks a significant milestone for dnata’s growing catering and retail business, cementing its position as a leading end-to-end inflight and airport service provider, globally. The partnership will see dnata deliver a tailor-made on-board retail […]

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has selected Collins Aerospace to provide passenger processing and baggage systems at Nepal’s Tribhuvan (KTM), Gautam Buddha (BWA) and Pokhara (PKR) international airports. According to Collins, its solutions will help the airports ease congestion; enable airlines to accelerate passenger processing and sort, route and handle baggage with higher accuracy; […]

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 […]

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, […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

IT provider, SITA, is now officially a CarbonNeutral certified company after achieving the accolade for its sustainability efforts. It says that the milestone – realised a full year ahead of its original target of 2022 – resulted from decisive actions to significantly reduce emissions associated with its business operations in 2020. SITA has reduced its […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Munich Airport subsidiary, Munich Airport International (MAI), is to partner with Atlanta-based Citiri to offer digital operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) services to airport operators and infrastructure developers across the globe. MAI claims that by combining its knowhow and experience of helping airports open new facilities with Citiri’s ORAT management platform software, the partners […]

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 […]

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 […]

Customer feedback provider, HappyOrNot, has installed its smiley push button machines at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport ahead of the city hosting the Summer Olympics. Using HappyOrNot’s Smiley Terminal push-button type terminals, Narita International Airport (NRT) will collect substantial amounts of customer feedback, enabling it to monitor their passenger’s security experience at 23 checkpoints across the […]

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, […]

The Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia (Aerocivil) is to install Rohde & Schwarz’s IP based voice communications system (VCS), CERTIUM, systems at 36 airports across the country. The VCS technology will complement the over 1,000 CERTIUM air traffic control (ATC) radios Rohde & Schwarz has aleady installed in more than 80 Colombian airports. CERTIUM VCS will be deployed in six main […]

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 […]

As Europe’s airline industry gear up for the resumption of international travel this summer, the Sihl Group and eezeetags BV have announced that they are working together to help expedite self-service check-in at airports. The two companies have developed a concept for this market that is based on PRESSURETAC – the market leading, patented product […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Amadeus has announced that it is to work even closer with ground handler and air service provider, dnata, in support of its drive for “greater standardisation” of the systems used across its global operations. As a result, Amadeus will continue to power dnata’s innovative centralised load control service for airlines at Dubai International Airport (SXB) […]

Helsinki and ten other Finavia operated airports in Finland are set to embrace cloud technology in a pioneering move to combat COVID-19 disruption and better equip them for future growth. According to IT partner, Amadeus, cloud solutions will help deliver an exceptional check-in and boarding experience at Finland’s gateways and accelerate innovations like contactless payment […]

Airports are accelerating their investment in technology to aid the aviation industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report issued today by ACI World. Based on the findings of a survey by IT provider SITA, airports have been agile in adapting to the changing health and safety requirements, focusing on automated and […]

Fentress Architects has announced that the 2021 Fentress Global Challenge (FGC), its annual competition to design the airport of the future is open for entries. Now in its eighth year, the international design competition challenges students to envisage a forward-thinking concept for an airport of the future, and in turn, stimulate innovative design in terminal […]

The new security checkpoints at Charlotte Douglas International Airport feature Vanderlande’s automated screening lanes. As part of a $600 million terminal expansion project, the North Carolina gateway decided to consolidate its five security checkpoints into three high-efficiency checkpoints, all equipped with Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) to increase throughput and enhance security. Vanderlande was selected through […]

Mexican airport operator, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), is to invest more than $500 million on upgrading Guadalajara’s Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport. The plan includes an additional runway and new terminal building as well as, in the short/mid-term, a radical new $302 million redesign of the commercial space in the existing building. The […]

Lagardère Travel Retail is set to expand its footprint in Africa after being awarded the concession to operate two duty free stores in the new terminal at Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport. It and local partner, Bevco Limited, will build and operate the outlets in the brand new Terminal 3 at the gateway to capital […]

Work has been completed on the reconstruction and expansion of the airside infrastructure at Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. According to the Stantec led design team, the major airfield upgrades are set to increase safety and efficiency at the island’s “most vital piece of infrastructure” as it serves as […]

Global ground handler and air services provider, dnata, has opened a new state-of-the-art cargo complex at Manchester Airport in the UK. The new £30 million dnata City North facility covers 150,000 sqft and will allow the company to significantly expand and consolidate its Manchester operations. Well-situated for ease of airfield access, the purpose-built on-airport facility […]

Eight of Norway’s biggest airports will soon boast new customer experience feedback technology provided by HappyorNot. Its  Smiley Touch touchscreen terminals will help airport operator, Avinor, collect customer feedback at security checkpoints at the gateways, which include Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. According to HappyorNot, with this in-moment, actionable customer experience feedback data, “Avinor’s management and […]

Nashville International Airport’s new Concourse D has achieved LEED Silver certification, which Fentress Architects notes highlights the project’s sustainable, wellness-oriented design and construction process. This distinction makes Concourse D one of only five newly constructed airport facilities in the United States, and one of nine airport facilities worldwide, to earn LEED Silver under the US […]

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) will hand over the operation of its lounges, fast track and meet and assist services to Plaza Premium Group on January 1, 2021. Under the terms of the concession, Plaza Premium Group has agreed to invest in a series of enhancements and service and facility upgrades at the airport […]

Etihad Airways is trialling the the use of facial biometrics to check in cabin crew at its Crew Briefing Centre at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The trial will use facial recognition technology provided by SITA to identify and authenticate crew members, allowing them to complete check-in procedures and mandatory pre-flight safety and security questions digitally […]

Lagardère Travel Retail has opened eight Luxury Beauty & Fashion stores in China’s Shanghai Hongqiao and Shenzhen Bao’an airports. In Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Terminal T2, Lagardère Travel Retail has opened six stores: Chanel Beauty and Accessories; Parfums Christian Diorl Givenchy; Shiseido; Gucci Watches & Jewelry;  and Sandro. In Shenzhen Bao’an, Terminal T3, Lagardère Travel Retail […]

Digital solutions provider, AOE, has announced the launch of a new e-commerce model for airlines ahead of its planned acquisition of onboard sales and supply chain specialist SHIFTEO. The agreement includes SHIFTEO’s In-flight ePOS, Supply Chain Management and Back Office for Catering Management solutions. According to AOE, the enhanced capabilities of its new integrated platform […]

The votes are in and The Green Gateway – a zero-emission, highly sustainable multimodal hub – has been named as the winner of the 2020 version of the Fentress Global Challenge (FGC) design competition. Launched by Fentress Architects in 2011, the annual global student design competition represents a key part of the firm’s commitment to advancing […]

Doha’s Hamad International Airport is trialling new check-in kiosks that use infra-red technology to detect passengers’ fingerprints and therefore eliminate the need for them to touch any screens. The kiosks, which utilise happyhover and SITA Mobile Solution technology, are being trialled for contactless self-check-in and baggage drop. The introduction of these advanced smart solutions is […]

Marshall Retail Group (MRG), a WHSmith Group company, has opened its newest airport store in Terminal at New York LaGuardia (LGA). Called the DEAN inside LaGuardia Airport (LGA), the 5,000-square-foot retail space is said to be specifically designed to “the needs of the modern LGA passenger”. According to MRG, it offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, […]

Stuttgart becomes the first airport in Germany to embrace Amadeus’ cloud computing technology for passenger services. More than 200 check-in counters and gates, as well as 30 self-service kiosks have transitioned to to the new technology, which Amadeus says ensures a smoother check-in experience. Thanks to this technology, the migration was handled largely remotely, with […]

Since the arrival of COVID-19, industry commentators have shared a common theme – businesses need to be more tech-smart and flexible, to face the challenging times ahead. For airports, this is nothing new. The digitisation of operations has long been on the radar for all but the smallest. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has often been advertised […]

It is time to take a look at the possible airports of tomorrow courtesy of Fentress Architects’ 2020 Fentress Global Challenge (FGC). Fentress today announced the 22 entries that have been shortlisted in its annual airport design competition, which this year garnered more than 100 entries from students in over 15 countries. This year’s competition […]

Egis and local subsidiary, Projacs, has signed a contract to deliver project management consultancy services for airside projects at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (KKIA). KKIA is managed and operated by Riyadh Airports, which is currently working on upgrading the airside infrastructure at Saudi Arabia’s capital city airport, adding new services and facilities that it […]

Miami International Airport (MIA) today unveiled a new online service designed to help passengers beat checkpoint queues and better manage their journeys through its facilities. According to the Florida gateway, its passengers now have a personal travel assistant available around the clock, ready to tell them the fastest checkpoint for their flight and how to […]

New biometric technology can ensure a completely contactless experience for passengers passing through Beijing Capital International Airport. The human-free journey is possible as the airport has completely automated the entire passenger journey using SITA technology – from check-in and bag drop through to immigration, security, and finally boarding. As a result, passengers only need to […]

One of the most exciting sources of growth in the travel industry today is the increased use of travel Application Programming Interface (API). 

APIs enable business agility and inter-connectedness and are integral to improving customer experiences as well as internal operations. However, according to Mohamed Amin, head of data and APIs at SITA, the aviation […]

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has opened a new $5.6 million Central Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) to improve the security screening – and enhance the health and safety – of all goods entering the airport. Operated by Bradford Airport Logistics, the new 22,000sqft facility will receive goods for delivery to the existing airport […]

Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) investment in state-of-the-art facilities as part of its long-term commitment to Brussels Airport has earned it a new five-year contract with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo. Under the terms of the agreement, which commences this month, WFS will provide a total handling solution including cargo, mail and truck handling, and services […]

Kansai International Airport in Japan has become the latest gateway to introduce e-gates supplied by Vision-Box. The Osaka located airport has opened five banks of 12 pre-security gates (GT11) at Terminal 1 as it strives to ensure a ‘Fast Travel’ experience for passengers. By automating the boarding pass confirmation procedure at the departure gate, the self-scan […]

Canberra Airport has installed a new security screening system with technology from Smiths Detection to further improve the screening of passengers and their carry-on luggage. Head of aviation, Michael Thomson, notes that the new machines will provide even better screening of passengers and safer flying at his gateway. “Canberra Airport is open for business with […]

We shine the spotlight on a handful of initiatives designed to help airports safely resume operations after the global COVID-19 lockdown ends and air travel is back on the agenda. Boosting airport operations Amorph Systems and VANTIQ have announced a strategic partnership to create a new application that will help airports worldwide address real-time operational […]

NEC Corporation and SITA have agreed to form a global partnership to develop market-leading solutions to make the dream of a secure walk-through travel experience at airports a reality. The partnership comes as airports and airlines increasingly look to low-touch and automated passenger processing in order to comply with new hygiene requirements following the global […]

Plaza Premium Lounge has announced that it has begun to resume operations across the globe with its facilities in Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, Abu Dhabi, Hyderabad and Vancouver among the first to reopen. Between them they serve over 100 airlines, which include American Airlines, Air China, British Airways, Cathay […]

Nashville International Airport’s new Concourse D will handle its first flights today, with Southwest Airlines operating the first services from the six new gates at the complex. “On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and everyone associated with Nashville International Airport [BNA], I wish to express our excitement with this excellent addition to our airport […]

Duty free operator Gebr Heinemann has announced that chief commercial officer, Kay Spanger, is retiring after more than 40 years with the Hamburg-based company. Spanger, who will work as an advisor to the company from September until the end of the year, is to be replaced on the Executive Board of Gebr Heinemann by Dr […]

Norwegian airport operator, Avinor, is rolling out an ambitious end-to-end touchless travel programme to tackle the impact of COVID-19 and help restore traveller confidence ahead of Norway’s summer season. Passengers travelling from any of Avinor’s airports can soon begin to check-in, drop their bags, pass through security, and board the aircraft without interpersonal contact, or […]

Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport has turned to Amadeus to transform check-in and flight management operations with the deployment of its Altéa Departure Control for Ground Handlers solution. According to Amadeus, the solution paves the way for new services to provide passengers with a tailored experience, key to restoring traveller confidence in today’s changed travel environment. […]

Despite IATA’s warning that passenger demand will not fully recover until 2024, flight data consolidator OAG is reporting green shoots of recovery, writes Veovo’s marketing manager, Siobhan Boyle. Travel lockdowns are easing in many regions, with over sixty airlines relaunching services in June. As air traffic ramps up, airports face daunting capacity planning challenges. Pre […]

Six of the best Plaza Premium Group now boasts six Plaza Premium Lounges in the Middle East following the opening of a new 1,260sqm facility in Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3. “Dubai International connects travellers to more than 220 destinations across the globe including the US and Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Europe […]

Lagardère Travel Retail Pacific has begun to re-open some of its stores across the region, starting with a handful of outlets in the domestic terminals at Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Perth and Melbourne this week. According to the travel retailer, the small selection of stores will be used as test cases with restricted trading hours, with […]

The FAA has awarded Jacobs Engineering Group an architect and engineering design services contract to help it modernise and sustain more than 13,000 facilities that support US’s National Air Space (NAS). The FAA estimates the nationwide, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) to be worth around $166 million over the next nine years. “We’ve stood firmly […]

Open architecture, often referred to as ‘open interfaces’ or ‘open platform’, is an emerging trend in the aviation industry, writes Smiths Detection’s global aviation director, Richard Thompson. Open architecture supports the interfacing of equipment, software and algorithms from multiple suppliers to deliver a single integrated solution. For aviation security systems, open architecture can be applied […]

Smiths Detection has announced the launch of its new ultraviolet (UVC) light kits, which it states are capable of destroying up to 99.9% of microorganisms present on baggage trays at the security checkpoint. It notes that demonstrating heightened hygiene standards will be important as airports seek to restore the confidence of travellers and staff during […]

Cast your mind back to February and a typical busy airport scene – the packed check-ins; passengers sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at gate lounges; jostling crowds at baggage carousels; hugs and handshakes at arrival halls. So much has changed in such a short time. With the rapid spread of COVID-19, airport terminals have gone from bustling hubs […]

Avalon Airport is set to become the first gateway in Australia to introduce touchless, self-service technology for passengers. The airport – located between the cities of Melbourne and Geelong – states that the pioneering initiative, courtesy of its partnership with Elenium Automation will ensure both world-class safety and a top passenger experience when the airport […]

Leidos has completed the $1 billion acquisition of L3Harris Technologies’ Security Detection and Automation businesses. The acquired businesses provide airport and critical infrastructure screening products, automated tray return systems and other industrial automation products. They will operate within the Leidos Civil Group, led by president, Jim Moos. Combined with Leidos’ existing cargo and baggage screening […]

The contract is in the bag – Vanderlande has been formally selected as Heathrow Airport’s strategic baggage partner for the next ten years. The recently signed ‘pan-airport’ agreement, will encompass the design, build, operate and maintain programmes across the Terminals, as well as the baggage control room operations. The partnership will see both organisations further […]

NACO’s Vivek Sindhamani and Peter Vorage discuss the growing threat of flooding to airports and how some major hubs are planning ahead to increase their resilience to rising water levels. During the past five years, over twenty major, and many more small-island airports, have flooded due to extreme rainfall events or storm surges in combination […]

Beijing Capital International Airport has appointed a UK based airport design consultancy to help it redevelop the commercial planning and design of the international departure lounge in Terminal 3. The world’s biggest terminal building when it opened in 2008, Terminal 3 – known locally as the Dragon terminal –  has arguably been an iconic symbol of […]

Heinemann extends Sydney concession Heinemann Australia has celebrated five years at Sydney Airport by extending its duty free concession at the gateway until 2029. The news is a major coup for the company, which has operated a Heinemann Tax & Duty Free store at the airport since 2015. “I’m delighted that we have attained this […]

Laurent Dubois has been appointed CEO of Intelligent integration solutions provider, ADB SAFEGATE. The company admits that he joins it “at a time of unprecedented challenges for all organisations connected with air travel”. But it adds that the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it more important than ever for ADB SAFEGATE to move […]

The latest global news from ACI’s World Business Partners. MAI and ADB SAFEGATE The international business arm of Munich Airport – Munich Airport International (MAI) – has signed a co-operation agreement with ADB SAFEGATE. The collaboration combines MAI’s worldwide expertise in airport development, management and operations with ADB SAFEGATE’s global presence and insight into airfield, […]

The latest global news from ACI’s World Business Partners. New F&B outlets open at Singapore Changi Asian high street favourite, Tai Cheong Bakery, and Archipelago Craft Brew are the latest new additions to Singapore Changi’s F&B offering. Introduced in partnership with the SSP Group and located landside in Terminal 3, Tai Cheong Bakery is one […]

The latest global news from ACI’s World Business Partners. Pizza, anyone? Lightening fast pizza operator, Blaze Pizza, has opened an outlet at John Wayne Airport’s Terminal B/C courtesy of a new partnership between global restaurateur, HMSHost, and partner S&C Robinson Enterprise. The Californian gateway notes that the addition of Blaze Pizza expands the dining options […]

The latest global news from ACI’s World Business Partners. Amadeus completes acquisition of ICM Amadeus has completed the acquisition of ICM Airport Technics (ICM), a global leader in passenger automation and self-service bag drop solutions for airports and airlines, for an undisclosed sum. Thanks to this deal, Amadeus is now able to design, configure, implement, […]

The latest news from ACI’s World Business Partners Dublin Airport’s asset tracker courtesy of Esri Ireland Dublin Airport has created an airport geographic information systems app to track its assets in real time. The app was designed using geographic information systems (GIS) technology from software partner, Esri Ireland, which was customised to track and monitor the […]

The latest news from ACI’s World Business Partners The punctuality league OAG senior analyst, John Grant, explains why the on-time performance of airlines matters to airports. Being punctual means different things in different cultures. In some, being 15 minutes late is perfectly acceptable and isn’t something to be punished for. Whilst in others, being late for […]

VIEW THE ISSUE HERE In the spotlight: Investing in airports Airport report: Hong Kong Special report: The digital marketplace Plus: Route development & Autonomous vehicles Editor, Joe Bates, reflects on the investor appeal of the world’s gateways in this ‘Investing in airports’ themed first issue of 2019. Time to invest One of the first articles I was asked to […]

The latest news from ACI’s World Business Partners Big and clever Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced the successful completion of the first major phase of its Smart Airport programme, which will enable Qatar Airways to process more than 25% of its passengers using self-service check-in and bag-drop facilities. In partnership with SITA and CCM, the […]