The airport industry briefing
The latest news, views and numbers you need to know this month
News in Numbers
$1.2bn
Fraport Group’s Lima Airport Partners has signed a $1.2bn project funding agreement for the development that is currently underway at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Peru.
$1.2bn
Adani Group is set to invest $1.2bn (Rs107bn) for the expansion of Lucknow Airport in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
€420m
Dutch airport management company Royal Schiphol Group has concluded the buyback of its 8% interest in French airports operator Aéroports de Paris for €420m.
$174m
Los Angeles World Airports and the City of Los Angeles have awarded a $174m contract to infrastructure company Granite to build new exit taxiways and rebuild sections of existing runways.
$150m
The US TSA has awarded a blanket purchase agreement worth $150m to Science Applications International to continue to carry out the operational trial and assessment of its airport screening equipment and non-screening solutions.
Projects
STN starts runway resurfacing project
London Stansted Airport (STN) in the UK has initiated resurfacing works on its 3km-long single runway.
The project will be executed over a period of five months and managed by engineering company Lagan. The airport was acquired in 2013 by Manchester Airport Group.
Full story: Airport Technology
Dnata to build new cargo warehouse at EBL
Global air and travel services provider dnata is set to expand its operations at Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq with its new cargo warehouse.
The firm has broken ground on this new facility. Covering a 20,000m² area, the warehouse will cost $14m to build. The project is expected to create up to 50 additional direct jobs in the region.
Full story: Airport Technology
Work on Noida Airport reaches 20% completion
Work on the first phase of the Noida International Airport in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has reportedly hit 20% completion.
Of the Rs57bn allocated for the first phase, 29.5% has been spent, reported Hindustan Times citing Noida International Airport Limited officials.
According to these officials, around 6,000 workers will be employed on site to finish the project on schedule.
Full story: Airport Technology
Quotes
Korean Air CEO Walter Cho emphasises the importance of gaining a competitive edge as the industry normalises post-Covid-19:
“We’ve seen a glimpse of normalisation and the airports are beginning to bustle with passengers we have missed dearly.
"2023 is a pivotal year for completing the huge task of closing our acquisition of Asiana Airlines. We are in the last stage with the remaining overseas competition authorities reviewing the merger.
"ESG management is no longer a choice, but mandatory to the survival of our future. Introducing eco-friendly aircraft, reducing waste through increased in-cabin recycling, and operating an ESG committee to improve governance are all part of our efforts to support our social responsibility.
“While the future demands more wisdom from us than ever, we will continue on our path as we always have. We are the country’s top aviation experts and know how to give our customers around the globe the ultimate travel experience.”
NATS operations director Juliet Kennedy comments on flights in UK airspace hitting 83% of 2019 levels in 2022:
“Planning and preparation in support of our customers – airlines and airports – is always our focus, but took on even more importance last year, which proved to be more challenging than most.
"As well as the usual issues, such as weather, we were also dealing with industrial action in vital supporting sectors, the possible re-introduction of travel restrictions, for those travelling into the UK from China for example, and the closure of Ukraine airspace.
“We maintained our operational capability throughout the pandemic and planned for 90% of usual traffic numbers in 2022 to ensure we did not constrain the aviation industry’s recovery. It was a very volatile year, but it was a great relief to welcome the return of busy airspace and people travelling overseas again.
“We will continue to work closely with our industry partners in the UK and across Europe as we move into 2023 and make every effort to continue to get passengers where they want to be, safely and efficiently.”