New horizons are opening for airports to address the pressures of growth. The option to use alternative funding models and project delivery methods is poised to lift many limitations.
As the aviation industry continues to soar to new heights, it’s faced with a pressing concern — the environmental impacts of fire suppression systems containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substanc...
Strategic collaboration in project scope discussions gives everyone the insights to better define expectations and minimize costly changes and delays.
In a perfect world, the launch of any airport construction project would be seamless. On day one, every light switch would have the functionality intended. HVAC and building systems would operate eff...
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has emerged as a promising solution, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional...
A study isn’t needed to confirm that air travel can induce anxiety if anything goes awry. Even one tiny surprise can trigger some worries.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
In this era of staffing shortages, airport operators must be smart and right-size their outsourced program management teams to minimize inefficiencies as they work to meet capital improvement goals.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
The aviation industry faces challenges when establishing budgets for facility upgrades and renovations due to fluctuating material costs, labor shortages and slow permitting processes. To mitigate these issues, collaboration between engineering firms and aviation clients is crucial. The design-build approach — a single contract for both design and construction that incorporates procurement considerations into the design process — helps secure materials to meet project deadlines.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
Anyone can make the mistake of assuming that contracts are written innocuously, and that the fine print really never applies. But in a litigious society, words have meaning, and seemingly subtle phrases in a standard contract can have huge impacts, often well beyond the intent of the work being contracted. These phrases, seen increasingly often in contracts, have the potential to impact not only the cost of the work, but also the ability of consultants to perform that work.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
Airports are known for placing a high value on safety. Under new FAA rules governing airport operation, many will soon add a more formal structure to their efforts.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
We are in an era where the built space must be looked at differently. Aviation stakeholders — airlines and airports alike — are demanding increases in productivity and reductions in costs from facility managers, while at the same time establishing sustainable approaches to their operations.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
If it seems like the risk of aviation system disruption is growing, it’s not your imagination.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
There are new possibilities everywhere in the aviation industry and connectivity is the key to unlocking them. Achieving this vision of “the possible” will require airports, airlines and the aviation industry as a whole to begin thinking differently about telecommunications systems. These networks are essential critical infrastructure — much like power, potable water and heating, ventilation and air conditioning — and will unlock a host of new services and efficiencies.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
As most industries continue to grapple with the lingering effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, namely supply chain challenges and labor shortages, finding more efficient and faster ways to transport goods is crucial. With truck drivers in short supply, industrial rail is standing out as an essential resource in delivering goods across the country — and airports could benefit from this additional transportation source.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
Imagine a flight where you have the chance to stretch out your legs with more than ample space to store your luggage and golf clubs in the aircraft rear. Or how about jumping on a flight with a little less planning, a lot less hassle and minimal security screening compared to what you might traditionally expect? Such visions of private, noncommercial air travel — both for business and personal use — offer plenty of appeal, whether in improving the passenger experience or boosting prospects for increased airport revenues.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
Recognizing which aspects of aviation will electrify sooner could help airports optimize their infrastructure planning.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
Airports depend on fuel, people and planes to remain functional, but once the temperature drops and a winter storm moves in, glycol becomes a key component for reliable operations. Glycol, used as deicing fluid, is sprayed on aircraft to remove frost, snow and ice from the wings and protect against refreezing before takeoff. Airlines have tried numerous different methods for handling deicing of aircraft over the years, from drive-through induction heaters to fixed boom operations. The solution settled upon almost always ends with a person in a vehicle spraying aircraft with a glycol/water mixture.
Article
Burns & McDonnell
The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is the catalyst for a breathtaking array of improvements that qualify it as one of the most ambitious upgrades of critical infrastructure in U.S. history.
Article
Whether redesigning an existing space or creating an entirely new airport, key stakeholders must collaborate to develop innovative solutions that prioritize the travel experience and focus on long-term efficiencies.
Whether redesigning an existing space or creating an entirely new airport, key stakeholders must collaborate to develop innovative solutions that prioritize the travel experience and focus on long-term efficiencies.
Article
Program managers and engineering consultants are playing increasingly vital roles as extensions of airlines and airports facing turbulent industry conditions.
Program managers and engineering consultants are playing increasingly vital roles as extensions of airlines and airports facing turbulent industry conditions.
Article
As airlines continue to rebound from a decline in revenue, finding ways to save time and money for new projects — like fuel truck loading and unloading — has been critical, and prefabrication can help.
As airlines continue to rebound from a decline in revenue, finding ways to save time and money for new projects — like fuel truck loading and unloading — has been critical, and prefabrication can help.
Article
From air cargo utilization to nonaeronautical projects, airport operators are turning to real estate to help increase revenue.
From air cargo utilization to nonaeronautical projects, airport operators are turning to real estate to help increase revenue.
Article
As airports grow more complex, monitoring-based commissioning is becoming an indispensable part of the construction program.
As airports grow more complex, monitoring-based commissioning is becoming an indispensable part of the construction program.
Article
Performing a condition assessment prior to beginning airport infrastructure renovations could help save time and money.
Performing a condition assessment prior to beginning airport infrastructure renovations could help save time and money.
Article
In an environment of uncertainty, resilience in the face of disruption is a must for airlines and airports.
Investing in technology to measure, monitor and control the airports of today and tomorrow.
Article
With shorter delivery times and online shopping demands on the rise, air cargo is tasked with finding ways to keep up.
With shorter delivery times and online shopping demands on the rise, air cargo is tasked with finding ways to keep up.
Article
Avoiding risk and optimizing for the future with utility master planning.
Avoiding risk and optimizing for the future with utility master planning.
Article
Implementing alternatives to fossil fuel usage is one path the commercial aviation industry may use in the future to help reduce costs and address environmental concerns.
Implementing alternatives to fossil fuel usage is one path the commercial aviation industry may use in the future to help reduce costs and address environmental concerns.
Article
Continuing safe and efficient operations while searching for PFAS-free foams.
Continuing safe and efficient operations while searching for PFAS-free foams.
Article
Schedules, budgets and phasing are important aspects of major pavement infrastructure projects at an airfield — and all these aspects are continually getting minimized.
Schedules, budgets and phasing are important aspects of major pavement infrastructure projects at an airfield — and all these aspects are continually getting minimized.
Article
Design-build know-how meets financial support for a new fueling facility.
Design-build know-how meets financial support for a new fueling facility.
Article
Streamlining the RFP process can go a long way with the AEC industry.
Streamlining the RFP process can go a long way with the AEC industry.
Article
Training analyses are strengthening airport operations through metrics-based performance indicators.
Training analyses are strengthening airport operations through metrics-based performance indicators.
Article
Implementing Pavement Maintenance Programs for Increased Efficiency
Implementing Pavement Maintenance Programs for Increased Efficiency
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Increased Demand Requires Increased Resiliency and Capacity in Fuel Supply Chain
Increased Demand Requires Increased Resiliency and Capacity in Fuel Supply Chain
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Achieving Operational Resiliency by Working Together
Achieving Operational Resiliency by Working Together
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The Future of Airfield Firefighting and PFAS Compounds
The Future of Airfield Firefighting and PFAS Compounds
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Embracing Alternative Funding for Progress
Embracing Alternative Funding for Progress
Feature
Many metropolitan airports are facing the challenges of increased air traffic, diverse aircraft fleets and real estate constraints, making expansion difficult or impossible.
Many metropolitan airports are facing the challenges of increased air traffic, diverse aircraft fleets and real estate constraints, making expansion difficult or impossible. With the approximate $25 million to $40 million-per-gate expansion price tag, airports are looking for new ways to provide improved experiences in passenger terminals, safer work environments and more sustainable operations to meet these growing demands.
Article
We live in a world of abundant conveniences. As time goes on, technological advancements will continue to provide us with more simplicity and luxury.
Airport Convenience Challenges
Feature
Picture this: Your flight arrives at the airport, and you’re ready to make the mad dash to catch a connection. Retrieving your carry-on from the overhead, you head out of the plane and up the ramp to the terminal, making a beeline for your gate.
Finding Efficiencies in Airport Spaces
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Throughout the history of commercial air travel, the trend has been to produce and utilize increasingly larger aircraft. This is a trend that persists today, as concepts for larger aircraft, like Boeing’s 777-9X, are announced.
New Trends in Aircraft MRO
Article
Like automobiles moving along a highway, aircraft crisscross the sky, connecting airports in an elaborate, well-timed dance. But all that traffic in the sky is reflective of traffic on the ground, and as capacities at airports grow and skyways become more crowded, the environmental concerns associated with airport noise continue to increase.
Capacity and Airport Noise
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As technology continues to permeate our lives, the ability to reach a wide audience through these channels becomes more apparent as a means of providing better services.
Social Media and Airport Marketing
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National Director of Aviation
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