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