NEWS
All change in Beijing and Istanbul?
Major new airports in Turkey and China are a step closer to becoming a reality following the launch of the tender to build a new $ 9 billion gateway in Istanbul and the greenlight for a new $ 11.2 billion airport in Beijing.
TAV, which operates Istanbul’ s Atatürk Airport, and Fraport have expressed an interest in building and operating Istanbul’ s new airport, which is expected to open in 2017 and have an initial capacity of 90mppa, rising to 150mppa with future expansion.
Turkey’ s Transport Minister, Binali Yildirim, said:“ At full capacity the new Istanbul airport will be the largest in the world in terms of passengers. We calculate the whole project will cost more than € 7 billion excluding financing costs.”
Meanwhile in China, it is being reported that“ green energy” and“ functionality” will be prioritised in the design of Beijing’ s new airport, which will be located in the city’ s southern Daxing district, open in 2018 and be capable of handling 70mppa by 2025.
Beijing Capital International Airport handled 81.8 million passengers last year to cement its status as the second busiest airport in the world after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, which welcomed 95.4 million.
Midway lease considered
The FAA has formally accepted the City of Chicago’ s preliminary application to privatise Midway International Airport.
The decision means that the city is free to pursue the option of allowing private investors to sign a lease to operate the gateway for close to 40 years.
A statement issued by the the FAA said:“ The FAA has completed its review of the city of Chicago’ s revised preliminary application to privatise Midway International Airport. The FAA has accepted the revised Preliminary Application, and the City can take the next steps to select a private airport operator.”
Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, claims that the step of delivering a Preliminary Application, timetable and draft Request for Qualification( RFQ) to the FAA will allow City officials to gain a better understanding of market conditions and revenue generation possibilities for the potential lease of Midway Airport. A previous 2009 attempt to privatise Midway failed at the last minute when the winning bidder, the Midway Investment and Development Corporation( MIDco), failed to secure the financial backing to push through a $ 2.5 billion deal.
Living legend
Toronto Pearson’ s former CEO, Lou Turpen, has been inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation.
The Living Legends of Aviation are defined as aviation entrepreneurs, innovators, record breakers, industry leaders, astronauts, pilots who have become celebrities, and celebrities, such as John Travolta, who have become pilots. They meet annually to recognise and honour individuals that have made significant contributions to aviation, and now count former San Francisco Interntional Airport and Toronto Pearson boss, Turpen, among their number.
Turpen said:“ I’ m honoured and humbled to be in such a group of legendary aviators. I’ m particularly interested in helping record aviation’ s important history through the Living Library that the Legends are building.” Among his achievements, Turpen is credited with developing the first
Airport Counter Terrorism Plan used as a model by the US government.
Former ACI World board member, Turpen is currently president of the San Francisco Aeronautical Society, which dedicates time to preserving the history of commercial aviation in the Pacific.
News in brief
Visiting Gibraltar Airport will never quite be the same again following the opening of the airport’ s swanky new terminal. Designed by 3DReid and bblur architecture, the new 1mppa capacity terminal has three gates and five aircraft stands and offers visitors impressive views over the airfield towards the rock.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport claims that its new extended runway heralds the dawn of a new era in air service for Atlantic Canada. The 1,700 feet extension is a potential game changer for Halifax as it will allow the gateway to handle larger widebodied and heavy aircraft year-round, a development that could significantly enhance its position as a key international air cargo and passenger hub.
A new $ 46 million airport will be built in Laos, in an attempt to attract tourists and investors. The new gateway will be based in Attapeu, the southernmost province of the country, according to media reports. Phetmixay Khampakdy, director of Attapeu’ s
Public Works and Transport Department, said the airport would be operational by 2014.
San Francisco International Airport’ s new $ 100 million, 220ft tall Landmark Control Tower will take shape over the next 18 months. Hensel Phelps Construction Co and Fentress Architects will serve as the designbuild team for the iconic tower. It will replace the current air traffic control tower, which no longer meets seismic standards.
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AIRPORT WORLD / FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013