The airport industry briefing
The latest news, views and numbers you need to know this month
News in Numbers
€200m
Dubai-based air services provider dnata is set to invest over €200m ($224.91m) in a completely automated cargo facility at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
2025
Melbourne Airport in the Australian state of Victoria has announced that it aims to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025.
£3.7m
The UK Government has announced £3.7m ($5m) in funding to redesign the nation’s airspace.
7
Aviation logistics specialist Menzies Aviation has secured ground services contracts in Mexico from seven carriers. These pacts have been signed with Aeroflot, American Airlines, Air Canada, TAG Airlines Delta Air Lines, Flair Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
$236m
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, is reportedly set to undergo a $236m (THB7.8bn) expansion from July.
12%
Germany’s Munich Airport International has handled 12.5 million passengers last year, an increase exceeding 12% compared to 2020.
Projects
LGA completes new passenger facilities at Terminal B
New York state in the US has announced the completion of new passenger facilities at LaGuardia Airport’s (LGA) Terminal B. The completion marks a major milestone in the terminal’s $4bn transformation.
According to a statement, the facilities that were opened include LaGuardia Terminal B’s western skybridge and Terminal B’s second concourse in December.
It also makes LaGuardia the first airport in the world with dual pedestrian skybridges.
Canada Government to support critical infrastructure projects at YLW
The Government of Canada has announced funding to support key infrastructure works at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) located in the province of British Columbia.
According to a statement, the government will provide more than $14.1m (C$18m) in funding to the airport.
The move is also expected to help the airport recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
MEM to unveil revamped concourse B next month
Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Tennessee, US, is set to unveil its upgraded B concourse on 15 February.
The new concourse will receive a Delta Air Lines flight as its first flight while departing flights will commence operations on 16 February.
MEM is currently executing a $245m modernisation project, which is set to complete soon.
The airport is working on concessions, retail and airline operations space on the ground level.
New PNQ terminal to be completed by August 2022
Airports Authority of India has announced that the construction work for the new integrated terminal building at Pune International Airport is scheduled to be finished by August 2022.
The total project is valued at around $65.07m (Rs4.75bn), with 60% of the work already concluded.
Quotes
Commenting on the UK Government’s announcement of additional funding for Airspace Modernisation, Airport Operator Association Chief Executive Karen Dee said:
“We welcome today’s announcement by government of a further £3.7m towards Airspace Modernisation on top of the £5.5m in Government investment announced last year. This will give airports some essential support to continue this crucial programme of upgrading the UK’s airspace and deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.
“The UK’s airspace is our invisible infrastructure in the sky, vital to the UK’s connectivity and to the delivery of government agendas like global Britain.
"Airspace modernisation is also essential to support aviation as it aims to build back better, so that a recovery to pre-pandemic passenger levels can be delivered with a reduced impact on the environment.
"We look forward to working with government and the Airspace Change Organising Group to deliver modernisation and to help achieve aviation’s net-zero by 2050 commitment.”
Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, urged governments to accelerate relaxation of travel restrictions:
“With the experience of the Omicron variant, there is mounting scientific evidence and opinion opposing the targeting of travelers with restrictions and country bans to control the spread of Covid-19.
"The measures have not worked. Today, Omicron is present in all parts of the world. That’s why travel, with very few exceptions, does not increase the risk to general populations. The billions spent testing travelers would be far more effective if allocated to vaccine distribution or strengthening health care systems.
“While the study is specific to the UK, it is clear that travel restrictions in any part of the world have had little impact on the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. The UK, France and Switzerland have recognized this and are among the first to begin removing travel measures.
"More governments need to follow their lead. Accelerating the removal of travel restrictions will be a major step towards living with the virus,”