Collaboration
Paul Bowers
The older we get, the more we understand how not much of anything is really new. Conditions may be changing; but really, what's new about volatility of energy prices, shortages of material, fluctuating passenger counts/business or even leadership? We've had great leaders, bad leaders and many in between.
To say that collaboration is new to airport projects would be a misstatement. Consultants and vendors have been playing integral roles with our airports and their development for ages. Their knowledge of systems and products is something airports rely on. Nothing new here.
I was reminded of that at this year's AAAE annual meeting in Philadelphia. Brian Condie, director of Garfield County Regional Airport, was telling me about a runway product vendor who was trying to sell him something. Brian told this vendor that in order to make a sale, he needed to talk to the guy who was standing next to him, his consultant.
Rarely do circumstances provide immediate access and interaction between the airport, it's consultants and vendors. But then again, that's the beauty of trade shows. Conferences and exhibitions are extremely valuable in educating, networking and sharing of stories. The information exchange is well worth the time and money needed to attend.
Unfortunately, this year's recession has really changed the landscape of conferences and trade shows. Attendance at most events is off a significant percentage. Again, this has happened in the past and isn't novel; but it's still a reality that needs to be faced.
Our needs for collaboration have not diminished with the recession. Quite frankly, they may be even greater. How we collaborate may need to shift.
What's filling that collaborative vacuum? Well, you're reading one good example. The growth of this magazine is predicated on highlighting the collaborative effort involved with project work. That's why the articles include input from not only the airport operator, but the consultants and major vendors involved with the project, too.
Online webinars, training and communication (LinkedIn, Twitter and others) are also filling a void created by the reduction in travel.
Our airport system and excellent leadership offers a resiliency that has enabled us to grow with the enormous changes thrown at us. And we're better off for it. Collaboration is a constant that helps us manage this growth.
Cheers! Paul
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Project Nominations
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Artscapes
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Airport Industry Headlines
- Phoenix Airport System’s Economic Impact is $44.3 Billion
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $76 Million in Grants from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Modernize Airports, From Runway Improvements to Better Facilities
- Tri-Cities Airport to See Nonstop Service to Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines
- Southwest Airlines to Cease Operations in Syracuse
- ADB SAFEGATE Awarded Contracts for The New Terminal One at JFK Airport
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Airside Projects
- New Apron Lighting Resolves Glaring Issues at Dallas Love Field
- Florida’s Statewide Markings Program Evolves
- Lincoln Airport Takes Creative Route to Adding New Leisure Service
- New Taxiway at Myrtle Beach Int’l Improves Airfield Safety, Frees Space for Terminal Expansion
- Tampa Int’l Plots New Course to Enhance Airfield Safety
Baggage Projects
- Rapidly Growing Volume of Oversized Baggage Prompts System Redesign at Salt Lake City Int’l
- Columbia Metropolitan Upgrades Baggage System and Ticketing Lobby
- Long Beach Airport Adds Permanent Checked Baggage Inspection System and Improves Ticketing Building
- New Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor Features Advanced Baggage Handling System
- New Baggage System at Orlando Int’l Features Individual Totes and Upper-Level Claim Area
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Cargo Projects
- Spokane Int’l Builds Rail-Truck Facility on Surplus Land
- Halifax Stanfield Builds Cargo Park With Cold Chain Capabilities
- Extensive Cargo Growth at Cincinnati Int’l Boosts Revenues, Diversifies Business Base
- FedEx Expands at Ontario Int’l to Support Growing E-Commerce Demand
- Winnipeg Int’l Adds Multiuse Facility to Enhance Cargo Operations
Concessions/Retail Projects
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Emergency Operations Projects
- Decatur Airport Builds New Facility for Firefighting and Maintenance Teams
- Naples Airport Recovers After Hurricane Ian’s Saltwater Storm Surge
- Sacramento Int’l Builds Bigger, Better Fire and Rescue Station
- Hybrid Fire Station at San José Int’l Provides Emergency Services for Airport and Surrounding Area
- New Facility at Coastal Carolina Regional Consolidates ARFF Ops, Boosts Efficiency
Environment/Sustainability Projects
- Toronto City Airport Leads the Move to Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam
- New Noise Technology System at Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Earns Patent
- Martha’s Vineyard Airport Tests Underground Filtration for PFAS Contamination
- Santa Maria Airport Takes Common Sense Approach to PFAS Testing
- Philadelphia Int’l Follows Envision Program for Major Taxiway Rehab
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Fuel Operations Projects
General Aviation Projects
Ground Support Projects
- Montgomery Regional Leaps Into the Future With Electric Aircraft Chargers
- Exterior Jet Bridge Coating Saves Energy, Increases Passenger Comfort at Harry Reid Int’l
- O’Hare Moves Aircraft Deicing From Gates to High-Tech Centralized Facility
- Ground Power Upgrades in the Works at Newark Int’l
- Long Beach Airport & Airline Partners Phase Out Fossil Fuels for Ground Support Equipment
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Hangar Projects
IT/Communications Projects
- Website Platform Helps Airports Attract More Customers
- Virtual Ramp System at Kansas City Int’l Provides 360-Degree View of Airfield
- Interactive Web Page Offers Planning Tools for Memphis Int’l Travelers
- Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Invests in Data Management Upgrade
- Philadelphia Int’l is Updating - and Monetizing - Its Information Technology Network
Landside Development Projects
Operations Projects
- Terminal Expansion at Kansas City Int’l Prompts New Snow Removal Strategy and Equipment
- New Glycol Recycling Facility at Syracuse Hancock Int’l Produces Deicing Fluid Certified for Reuse
- Drones and Virtual Reality Speed Control Tower Siting at Boulder City Municipal
- St. Louis Int’l Looks to Future With Master Plan Projects to Consolidated Terminals
- Sweet Charity: Airports Large and Small Open Their Facilities to Support Local Fundraisers
Parking Projects
- Sarasota-Bradenton Int’l Adds New Cellphone Lot With Improved Amenities
- Flagstaff Pulliam Implements Paid Parking Program
- New 7-Level Garage Increases Parking Capacity and Convenience for Customers
- Regina Int’l Optimizes Parking with 24/7 Call Center and On-site Customer Service Reps
- Canyonlands Regional Upgrades its Parking Payment/Collections System
Passenger Transport Projects
- Plane Train Extension is on Track for 2025 Delivery at Atlanta Int’l
- “Wingless Travel” Takes Flight at Regional Airports
- Inductive Charging for Electric Shuttles
- Winnipeg Int’l Launches Self-Driving Wheelchair Service
- Long-Awaited Rail Extension Is Just the Ticket to Spur Growth at Washington Dulles
Runway/Ramp Projects
- Vancouver Int’l Turns Untimely Winter Storms Into Opportunity for Improvement
- Airports Apply Heavy Surface Treatment to Increase Service Life of Asphalt Runways
- Round-the-Clock Work Helps Cheyenne Regional Finish Paving Project On Time
- Finish Line in Sight at St. Louis Lambert Int’l
- Pangborn Memorial Readies for Bigger, Greener Future With Apron Expansion
Security Projects
- Automated Exit Safeguards and Welcomes Passengers Arriving at Oakland Int’l
- Miami Int’l Tests Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Deterrence Technologies
- New Terminal Connector/TSA Checkpoint Eliminates Passenger Flow Problems at Lehigh Valley Int’l
- Philadelphia Int’l Installs Biometric Facial Recognition at 25 Gates
- Miami Int’l Serves as TSA Test Site for Technologies to Help Detect Drones
Terminal Projects
- Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
- Massive Restroom Renovations in Progress at Miami Int’l
- Waco Regional Uses CARES Act Funds for Terminal Renovation Project
- New Terminal Connector Improves Passenger Accessibility at Los Angeles Int’l
- Watertown Regional Builds Old-School Charm Into New Terminal
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