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Other news

ATW's Airports Today, September 2009, p.7

US Department of Homeland Security will add 13 airports to its Global Entry pilot program aimed at streamlining the arrival process for enrolled travelers returning from international destinations. Airports in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sanford, San Francisco, San Juan, and Seattle now will be included. The program uses biometric identification including a digital photo, which can be entered into a special kiosk where the traveler is issued a receipt used to clear Customs and Border Patrol stations.

Development and Construction

London Heathrow is planning a £1 billion ($1.67 billion) Terminal 2 construction project that will allow consolidation of Star Alliance operations and provide capacity for an estimated 20 million passengers each year. Construction will take place in two phases, with the initial creation of a terminal building on the site of the existing T2 and Queen's building, both of which will be demolished later this year. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2013. The second half of the project will extend T2 into the existing T1 site and include a satellite building. T1 will remain open throughout construction but will close upon completion in 2019. The new building is designed to produce 40% less carbon than those it is replacing.

DFW International's board approved a $20.75 million package for URS Corp. of Dallas to begin preliminary design work for renovation of Terminals A, B, C and E, which opened with the airport in 1974. The airport said this is "the first major expenditure for the DFW Terminal Development Program, an eight-year process aimed at renovating the airport's four original terminals."

"While they have served us very well, our four original terminals are 35 years old now, and their internal systems need replacement," said DFW CEO Jeff Fegan. The final cost of the Terminal Development Program is in review; initial estimates place it "somewhere between $1.5 billion and $2 billion." Funding will come from bond sales, available capital and other sources. Replacement of terminal systems such as electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, security, conveyance and telecommunications are included in the TDP. Current plans call for construction to begin in early 2011. Terminal A will be the first completed sometime in 2014 and the entire project should be finished by the end of 2017. The construction phase requires one-third of each terminal to be shut down at a time.

Helsinki Airport completed the first section of a new terminal complex that is part of a €150 million investment in expansion to serve long-distance traffic and provide spacious waiting areas and new gates. The project includes a baggage handling center that will have the capacity to move 7,000 bags per hr. The next phase of the project, scheduled to open mid-September, will feature shops and a restaurant complex.

Montreal Trudeau opened a new US departures area that enables passengers to check their bags prior to entering pre-customs clearance. The 18,000-sq.-m. hall includes 58 traditional check-in counters and 48 self-service kiosks.

Denver International is seeking local approval to build a photovoltaic solar electricity generating system that will power the airport's fuel storage and distribution facility.

Contracts

Vancouver International added cameras to the Tarsier Foreign Object Debris radar detection system installed on both ends of its two north-south parallel runways. The cameras let airport personnel see exactly what the foreign object is so they can determine whether it is "a two-inch worm that poses no threat or a broken suitcase zipper that does," said Airside Operations Director Brett Patterson. Vancouver was the first airport in the world to buy the Tarsier system, developed by UK-based QinetiQ. It went into full operation in late 2006.

Frequentis AG, an Austrian high-tech company, supplied new voice communications systems for air traffic control towers to four French airports--Le Bourget, Ajaccio, Metz Nancy Lorraine and Saint Denis de la Reunion. The Frequentis 3020X Voice Communications Switch combines telephone and radio resources into a single system.

Sensis Airport Surface Detection Equipment X is now operating at Boston Logan. It is the 19th US airport to receive the runway incursion detection and prevention system through FAA's ASDE-X program. A total of 35 airports will have ASDE-X by 2011, according to Sensis.

Trinity Technology Group of Fairfax, Va., was selected by the Transportation Security Administration as the private screening contractor for seven Montana airports as part of the Screening Partnership Program. The airports are Frank Wiley Field, Sidney Richland Regional, Dawson Community, Clayton, Wokal Field, Havre City/County and Lewiston Municipal. The five-year contract is valued at $10.9 million.

Cleveland Hopkins International signed a lease agreement with PremAir Hospitality Group LL C to become a key concessionaire for food services at the airport.

People

Stefan Schulte is the new executive board chairman of Fraport AG. Schulte, a former VP of the board, began his five-year term on Sept. 1.

Deborah Ale Flint was appointed acting aviation director at Oakland International.

Steven Grossman will be the new CEO for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

Joseph Diaco and Steven Burton were appointed by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to serve on the five-member board of Tampa International.

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