The briefing on airports
The news, views and numbers you need to know this month
News in numbers
200 million
Estimated increase in UK airport capacity (in terms of passengers) after expansion of four of its largest airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton
19.7 bn
Global air traffic figure by 2040, according to a new report from Airports Council International (ACI) World
145,000ft2
The expected size of a new £30m warehouse being built by Mclaren at the UK’s Manchester airport
18%
China’s anticipated percentage share of the global passenger traffic market in 2040, with just over 3.5 billion passengers, according to the ACI World report
$4.5 bn
Investment amount to increase capacity and accommodate increasing passenger numbers at major airports in New York and New Jersey, US
In quotes
Gatwick Airport head of enabling technologies and digital innovation Abhi Chacko, after the airport announced a new boarding technique whereby passengers are boarded by seat number:
Early indications are that this new technique has the potential to reduce the overall boarding time. By communicating to passengers better and boarding passengers by seat number, we also expect to, potentially, prevent large numbers of passenger rushing forward at any stage.
Amadeus head of airport IT product management Holger Mattig, speaking at the company’s Airport IT Conference at the end of October:
Airports must start to build what I would call airport-centric visible analytics by implementing CRM solutions with the aim to look at the profile of passengers. You can use them to measure airport performance and understand the market.
ACI World director general Angela Gittens, following the release of an ACI report claiming that comfortable waiting areas are key to customer satisfaction:
Airports continually strive to improve customer experience as passengers are demanding higher levels of service. Providing a comfortable experience for passengers waiting in gate areas is a priority for airports as waiting, even for very short periods, is an inevitable part of the passenger journey.
New airport construction projects
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) has unveiled its phase B expansion plan at Cityscape Qatar in Doha. According to the plan, the expansion project will introduce a 10,000m² indoor tropical garden to a central concourse at the airport. It will also feature a 268m² water feature, which the airport said would be the project’s focal point. HIA has noted that its expansion will be carried out in two phases, A and B. Phase A will include linking concourses D and E. It is expected to be completed by early next year and aims to boost the airport’s capacity to around 53 million annual visitors by 2022. Phase B will extend concourses D and E, increasing capacity to 60 million passengers.
Source: Airport Technology
Honeywell’s Boeing 757 ‘Connected Aircraft’ testbed will collect crucial weather data across Southeast Asia over the next three weeks. Weather data is picked up by a radar with a detection range of 320nm. This data is then analysed by Honeywell radar scientists and meteorologists to help calibrate the GoDirect Weather app, which provides pilots with real-time weather data on their flight path and predicts potential turbulence.
Source: Aviation International News
Wellington International Airport in New Zealand has revealed its 2040 masterplan detailing plans to accommodate traffic growth over the next two decades. The proposed plan includes terminal expansion, runway and taxiway system enhancement and the construction of freight facilities, additional parking stands and a modern fire station. It also includes the introduction of quick transport from Wellington city centre. According to the 2040 masterplan, the airport will construct a multi-purpose domestic and international jet terminal. Wellington Airport CEO Steve Sanderson stated that the airport covers an area of 110 hectares, which is extremely small compared to Auckland Airport’s 1,500 hectares and Christchurch Airport’s 750 hectares. He added: “The recent terminal expansion has done well to keep pace with domestic growth but the international facilities are already facing congestion at peak times. The availability of gates is constrained during busy periods and busing of regional passengers is often required."
Source: Airport Technology
The Indian Government has issued environmental clearance for the development of Mundra International Airport in the Kutch district of Gujarat. India’s new commercial airport will entail an investment of Rs14bn ($203.3m). Approval is subject to the compliance of certain conditions. Mundra International Airport, a wholly-owned unit of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), will operate and manage the airport. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the airport plans after considering the views of a panel of experts. Mundra International Airport must now receive clearance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for project and safety facilities.
Source: Airport Technology
Share
