American Airlines partnership to redevelop JFK Airport T8
American Airlines, in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, announced a $125 million commercial redevelopment program for Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The project will feature a new Great Hall and is expected to bring more than 60 new shopping and restaurant offerings to the terminal. With an emphasis on locally owned and diverse businesses that will create economic opportunities for the community, the new program will showcase New York's world-renowned culinary scene and establish a unique sense of place for travelers.
AAHK investment to modernize Hong Kong airport infrastructure
The airport authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) invested around HK$9 billion ($1.2 billion) to modernize its infrastructure to prepare for the full recovery of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) by the end of 2024. The investment is on top of the HK$141.5 billion that will be spent on the three-runway system that will bring the airport handling capacity to 120 million passengers annually. AAHK leadership, including CEO Fred Lam and COO Vivian Cheung, linked the future success of Hong Kong airport with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of southern China, with plans to further enhance intermodal transport between GBA cities and HKIA.
Vietnam invests in Long Thanh airport construction
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) awarded a Vietnam-Turkey consortium VND35 trillion ($1.45 billion) to build part of what will become the country’s largest airport—Long Thanh International Airport. The first terminal, which will be built within 39 months, is set to be capable of handling 25 million passengers per year and 1.2 million metric tons of cargo annually. Expected to be fully operational by 2050, Long Thanh Airport—located approximately 25 mi. east of Ho Chi Min City—will have an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo. Long Thanh is set to replace Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Singapore’s Changi Airport begins trialing passenger loading bridges
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) has begun trials on fully automated passenger loading bridges (PLBs), to reduce manpower requirements as well as increase efficiency and safety. Designed by PLB manufacturer Shinmaywa, the automated docking system is equipped with aircraft door detection system, laser distance sensors and hazard detection sensors and is controlled via a control panel by one operator. The whole process can be “consistently completed” within two minutes. Trials started on Scoot’s Boeing 787, with KLM and Bangkok Airways expected to join the program later.
Washington Dulles breaks ground on solar park
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Dominion Energy broke ground on a solar park on airport grounds that officials say will provide power to 37,000 homes in northern Virginia, where IAD is located. The facility’s construction is targeted to be completed by 2026. Dubbed the Dulles Solar and Storage project, the facility is slated to span 835 acres in the southwest corner of IAD’s property. IAD and Dominion say the solar park will generate up to 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and store up to 50 MW of power.
Riga airport upgrades electrical supply systems
Latvia’s Riga International Airport (RIX) and the Lithuanian airport company Lietuvos oro uostai over the next three years will upgrade the electrical supply systems of their aerodromes by attracting European Union funding in the amount of €3.65 million ($3.95 million) in a joint project.
The electrical supply infrastructure modernization project at Riga Airport provides for the reconstruction of the electrical network from the current 10-kilovolt to a 20-kilovolt network, and the installation of a solar panel park on the roofs of several airport buildings to generate renewable energy.
The construction of electric charging points on the apron and technical area of the aerodrome is necessary to replace the part of the internal combustion vehicles used by the Airport with electric vehicles by 2027, and to ensure the availability of renewable resources for charging electric vehicles for both the Airport and other passenger service companies working at the airport.
UK’s Southampton Airport opens extended runway
Southampton Airport (SOU), on the south coast of England, opened its newly extended runway, adding 164 m (538 ft.) to the northern end of the airport’s sole 1,723 m runway. The increased length is enough to allow fully loaded aircraft the size of an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 to operate from Southampton, potentially opening the airport to more airlines.
Construction begins on Vietnam airport’s third terminal
Construction of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) third terminal has reportedly begun. The VND9 trillion ($378 million) terminal is expected to be complete in just under two years. The 112,500 sq m terminal will have 27 new gates, 90 check-in counters, 40 kiosks for self-check-in, automatic baggage counters and will serve domestic flight with a capacity of 20 million passengers annually and increase the handling capacity to 50 million passengers.
The aviation industry continues to work together to upgrade airport infrastructure around the world, including runways, terminals and other essential facilities to meet passenger and cargo demand, both now and in the future.
