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New Satellite Concourse Provides Efficient Gate Expansion at Nashville Int’l
New Satellite Concourse Provides Efficient Gate Expansion at Nashville Int’l
To accommodate increased passenger demand, Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) recently constructed a standalone Satellite Concourse adjacent to its main terminal. The 89,000-square-foot structure opened in October 2023 and now houses operations primarily for Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines.
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Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Bolsters Employee Security Screening Program
Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Bolsters Employee Security Screening Program
Efficiency and efficacy are the watchwords for employee security screening at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
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Denver Int’l Completes State-of-the-Art West Security Checkpoint
Denver Int’l Completes State-of-the-Art West Security Checkpoint
In the last two decades, passenger volume has nearly doubled at DEN, and security technology has changed considerably. As part of the airport’s Great Hall Program, a $2.1 billion capital improvement project, all checkpoints are moving up a level—both physically and technologically.
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Harry Reid Int’l Tests Self-Service Checkpoint
Harry Reid Int’l Tests Self-Service Checkpoint
For 23 years, TSA has screened passengers and their belongings at U.S. airports to help keep air travel safe. The traffic is staggering, with an average 2.5 million people passing through checkpoints at more than 430 airports each day, and even more during holidays and other surges.
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Safety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline Sector
Safety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline Sector
Nearly a decade ago, the FAA Safety Organization issued a final rule requiring Part 121 certificated operators—scheduled commercial airlines—to implement Safety Management Plans. The goal was to help carriers detect and correct safety risks before they become hazards.
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Historic Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Int’l to Move Commercial Flights From Day to Night
Historic Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Int’l to Move Commercial Flights From Day to Night
With wildfires raging throughout British Columbia last summer, two things kept Kelowna International Airport (YLW) ahead of the game: good working relationships with the provincial and national governments, and partners such as Nav Canada.
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Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Completes Five-Gate Addition
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Completes Five-Gate Addition
With an eye on growth and a heightened commitment to passenger comfort, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) unveiled a 30,000-square-foot terminal expansion in mid-February.
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New ARFF Facility Boosts Efficiency, Paves Way for New Terminal at Monterey Regional
New ARFF Facility Boosts Efficiency, Paves Way for New Terminal at Monterey Regional
A new $9.9 million aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station is enhancing operational efficiency at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), as well as providing a more comfortable environment for the personnel that call it home for days at a time.
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Punta Gorda Closes Runway, Powers Through Rebuild Project
Punta Gorda Closes Runway, Powers Through Rebuild Project
File it under “good things come to those who wait.” The roughly year-long reconstruction and rehabilitation of the primary runway at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) was a welcome improvement that took patience, planning and lots of enabling projects.
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Moving Walkways Replace Decades-Old Monorail at Tampa Int’l
Moving Walkways Replace Decades-Old Monorail at Tampa Int’l
Guests at Tampa International Airport (TPA) can now use a series of moving walkways to quickly travel through the long-term parking garage to the adjacent main terminal, and vice versa.
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New Outdoor Deck Relieves Passenger Congestion at Charlottetown Airport
New Outdoor Deck Relieves Passenger Congestion at Charlottetown Airport
While some airports have struggled to recover passenger traffic lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, the opposite is true at Charlottetown Airport (YYG) on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada. In 2023, the airport recorded 402,686 passengers—an increase of more than 18% from 2022.
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Southwest Hangar Complex at Gulf Shores Int’l is Full
Southwest Hangar Complex at Gulf Shores Int’l is Full
If Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA) were a hotel, management could hang up a “No Vacancy” sign regarding its available hangar space. Airport Director Justin Fletcher proudly reports that all 13 sites of JKA’s Southwest Corporate Hangar Complex are filled.
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Hawaii Provides State-Owned Airports with Online Platform for Environmental Systems Management
Hawaii Provides State-Owned Airports with Online Platform for Environmental Systems Management
Recognizing the need for robust environmental systems management, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division provides a cloud-based, no-code system for its 15 state-owned and state-operated airports.
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Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is celebrating that longtime binational bond with a temporary art exhibit titled Espacios & Lines.
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Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
Terminal Modernization at Boston Logan Has Passengers and Locals Seeing Red, But in a Good Way
Nearly 250 years after Paul Revere rode out of Boston warning of a pending advance by British Redcoats, a shimmering red coat of paint warmly welcomes international visitors to the modern airport in his colonial hometown.
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Medicine Hat Regional Replaces Runway in 24 Days

Medicine Hat Regional Replaces Runway in 24 Days
In March 2016, Jeff Huntus, the manager of Medicine Hat Regional (YXH) in Alberta, asked for $12.5 million to replace the airport’s main runway. Transport Canada told him not to expect funds until 2018 or 2019. But in 2017, he received notice that the program had been approved—and for $400,000 more than the airport had requested.

Denver Int’l Stages Year-Round Special Events for Passengers & Community

Denver Int’l Stages Year-Round Special Events for Passengers & Community
Most passengers don’t expect ice skating, lawn games or beer tastings at the airport, but Denver International (DEN) provides them—and much more. For three years running, the airport has hosted an “Events at DEN” series, and the lineup is proving so popular it also attracts visitors not flying into or out of the airport.

New Camera System Enables Jacksonville Int’l to Track Passengers From Parking Garage to Tarmac

New Camera System Enables Jacksonville Int’l to Track Passengers From Parking Garage to Tarmac
It’s not every day that an airport installs a new security video system that covers practically all public areas within the facility. But this is exactly what Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Florida has done. The $7.5 million system, which went online in September, tripled the number of cameras in use from 300 views to 1,200 views and made it possible to track passengers throughout the airport, from the parking garage to their planes.

Mobile Eyes Bold Change: Moving Commercial Service Downtown

Mobile Eyes Bold Change: Moving Commercial Service Downtown
The Mobile Airport Authority moved one step closer to shifting commercial service from Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) to Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM) when it unanimously approved an outside feasibility study about the idea in August. Further assessments, planning and approvals are still necessary to make the idea a reality, but officials are excited about the possibilities of moving airline traffic to the city’s more conveniently located general aviation facility.

New Hardstand Terminal at Sea-Tac Redefines Hardstand Operations

New Hardstand Terminal at Sea-Tac Redefines Hardstand Operations
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the fastest growing U.S. airport over the past five years. Passenger traffic has increased by 43%, from 32.2 million passengers in 2012 to 46.9 million in 2017. That’s the upside. On the downside, the record growth has resulted in crowded gates and aircraft idling on the tarmac waiting for an open slot. The increasing volume has also inspired the Port of Seattle to look for innovative ways to relieve gate congestion and aircraft backups.

John Wayne Airport Boosts Airfield Safety With Rubber Removal & Ground Vehicle Signage

With a single runway handling 10.5 million passengers annually, John Wayne Airport (SNA) relies on safe nighttime operations to maintain its carefully orchestrated traffic schedule.

Oshawa Executive Preps Airfield for Growth

After a series of surface-level fixes throughout the years, it was high time the runways and related infrastructure at Oshawa Executive Airport (YOO) in Ontario received the upgrades they truly required. The only question for the project team was how to make up for nearly 80 years of patchwork solutions in just 35 days.

Tucson Int’l Brings Friction Testing In-House

When it comes to runway safety, Tucson International Airport (TUS) isn’t waiting for an accident or regulatory sanctions to make improvements. It’s acting proactively.

New Amazon Facility Bodes Significant Cargo Growth for Cincinnati Int’l

Like other airports, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) in Hebron, KY, is in the people transport business; but it’s also in the business of moving stuff. And the “stuff side” of the business is doing quite well. In fact, CVG is the fastest-growing cargo airport in the United States. It’s also the eighth largest cargo airport in the country, and the 34th largest in the world.

Naval Air Station Oceana Maintains Operational Volume While Converting to LED Airfield Lighting

Naval Air Station Oceana (NTU) in Virginia Beach, VA, is moving into the final stretch of a $120 million airfield project to reconstruct one runway and replace aging incandescent airfield lighting with energy-saving LED fixtures.

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FREE Whitepaper

Fairbanks International Airport Baggage Transport Conveyor Enhanced With Mod Drive™ System


Fairbanks International Airport Baggage Transport Conveyor Enhanced With Mod Drive™ System

Airports face a host of unique industry challenges, such as meeting efficiency regulations and seeking out the best maintenance practices to reduce costs and keep operations flowing. In today’s current economic climate, any potential cost savings can go a long way. 

In 2019, Alaska’s Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) sought to modernize its equipment and operations. They were dissatisfied with the performance of the gearmotors on their baggage transport conveyors and began searching for new suppliers. Regal approached FAI with a solution that could improve equipment performance and simplify maintenance, with the added benefit of energy cost savings: the Hub City® MOD Drive™ system.

This white paper discusses the hardware deployed, the test results and the annualized expectations for ROI.

 

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Dallas Fort Worth Int’l Improves Diversion Process with New Software

Plagued by the frequent need to divert flights due to severe weather, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) recently harnessed the collective brain power of the North Texas Irregular Operations Network to improve timeliness and predictability for passengers. The network, which includes all 23 airports in the DFW diversion area, developed a plan to ensure communication, coordination and collaboration between DFW and its diversion airports, airlines and government agencies. The primary goal: to address and mitigate the effects of diversions on passengers.

Ohio State University Airport Unveils New Terminal/Flight Training Center

Ohio State University Airport Unveils New Terminal/Flight Training Center
What began as a 1942 military training facility and group of outdated buildings is now a modern general aviation terminal, fixed base operator and flight school all in one building. In August, Ohio State University Airport/Don Scott Field (OSU) opened its new $15 million Austin E. Knowlton Executive Terminal and Aviation Learning Center.

San Diego Int’l Fast-Tracks Federal Inspection Station Project

San Diego Int’l Fast-Tracks Federal Inspection Station Project
Faced with a growing number of international flights, San Diego International Airport (SAN) needed a new international Arrivals Hall and Federal Inspection Station—and it needed them quickly. An aggressive timeline scared away all but one design/build team at the beginning of the project. Ultimately, however, the new 130,000-square-foot facility was completed in just 13 1/2 months.

Orlando Int’l Uses Digital Messaging to Enhance Passenger Experience

Orlando Int’l Uses Digital Messaging to Enhance Passenger Experience
Have you met Annie the Astronaut? Can you spot Fred the Fish? Annie and Fred are just a couple of the creations that Orlando International Airport (MCO) presents to visitors on a digital ecosystem that so far includes 1,231 high-definition displays.

Medicine Hat Regional Replaces Runway in 24 Days

Medicine Hat Regional Replaces Runway in 24 Days
In March 2016, Jeff Huntus, the manager of Medicine Hat Regional (YXH) in Alberta, asked for $12.5 million to replace the airport’s main runway. Transport Canada told him not to expect funds until 2018 or 2019. But in 2017, he received notice that the program had been approved—and for $400,000 more than the airport had requested.

Denver Int’l Stages Year-Round Special Events for Passengers & Community

Denver Int’l Stages Year-Round Special Events for Passengers & Community
Most passengers don’t expect ice skating, lawn games or beer tastings at the airport, but Denver International (DEN) provides them—and much more. For three years running, the airport has hosted an “Events at DEN” series, and the lineup is proving so popular it also attracts visitors not flying into or out of the airport.

New Camera System Enables Jacksonville Int’l to Track Passengers From Parking Garage to Tarmac

New Camera System Enables Jacksonville Int’l to Track Passengers From Parking Garage to Tarmac
It’s not every day that an airport installs a new security video system that covers practically all public areas within the facility. But this is exactly what Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Florida has done. The $7.5 million system, which went online in September, tripled the number of cameras in use from 300 views to 1,200 views and made it possible to track passengers throughout the airport, from the parking garage to their planes.

Mobile Eyes Bold Change: Moving Commercial Service Downtown

Mobile Eyes Bold Change: Moving Commercial Service Downtown
The Mobile Airport Authority moved one step closer to shifting commercial service from Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) to Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM) when it unanimously approved an outside feasibility study about the idea in August. Further assessments, planning and approvals are still necessary to make the idea a reality, but officials are excited about the possibilities of moving airline traffic to the city’s more conveniently located general aviation facility.

New Hardstand Terminal at Sea-Tac Redefines Hardstand Operations

New Hardstand Terminal at Sea-Tac Redefines Hardstand Operations
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the fastest growing U.S. airport over the past five years. Passenger traffic has increased by 43%, from 32.2 million passengers in 2012 to 46.9 million in 2017. That’s the upside. On the downside, the record growth has resulted in crowded gates and aircraft idling on the tarmac waiting for an open slot. The increasing volume has also inspired the Port of Seattle to look for innovative ways to relieve gate congestion and aircraft backups.

John Wayne Airport Boosts Airfield Safety With Rubber Removal & Ground Vehicle Signage

With a single runway handling 10.5 million passengers annually, John Wayne Airport (SNA) relies on safe nighttime operations to maintain its carefully orchestrated traffic schedule.

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Publisher's Blog

What’s in a Name?
I’m all for improving our airports. But do new names necessarily make them better?
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Industry Insider

Cyberattacks on the Aviation Sector: Threats, Trends and Strategies
The aviation industry has been a prime target for nefarious cyberattacks over the last few years.
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Project Nominations

Know of a project that should be covered in a future issue of Airport Improvement?

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Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Art Without Borders - San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is celebrating that longtime binational bond with a temporary art exhibit titled...
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