NEWS
Dubai opens new A380 concourse
Dubai International Airport ( DXB ) has successfully completed the opening of Concourse A , the world ’ s first purpose-built facility for the A380 . “ Concourse A is a vital element of our $ 7.8 billion investment in the continued expansion of DXB which will see it become the world ’ s busiest airport for international passenger traffic by the end of 2015 ,” enthuses Dubai Airports CEO , Paul Griffiths .
Ambitious Vinci eyes more assets
Vinci is reportedly looking for more airport concessions after beating off rival bids from Latin American , German and Swiss-led groups to win the tender for Portuguese airport operator , ANA .
Vinci Airports , which operates Cambodia ’ s three international gateways and 10 regional airports in France , successfully bid € 3 billion for a 95 % stake in ANA late last year .
In return for its outlay – ANA employees hold a 5 % shareholding – Vinci has been awarded a 50-year concession to run Portugal ’ s airports , which include Lisbon , Porto and Faro as well as gateways in the Azores and Madeira .
And it appears as if the French-based group is eager for more . Vinci ’ s chairman and CEO , Xavier Huillard , recently admitted that it would consider bidding for more airport concessions with an investment partner .
“ We will continue to look at other platforms , but not alone because we need to pay attention to our debt level ,” Xavier Huillard told reporters .
With the acquisition of ANA , Vinci expects that the airport business will boost its annual revenue to € 600 million with operating profits of around € 270 million .
Doha ’ s date with destiny
The first phase of Qatar ’ s new $ 15.5 billion Hamad International Airport is set to open on April 1 .
Qatar Airways will operate the gateway , which will initially serve 12 legacy and low-cost carriers , before Qatar ’ s national flag carrier moves its entire operation to the gateway in the second half of the year .
As a result , Doha will have a dual airport operation until full operations begin at Hamad International in the second half of 2013 .
Qatar ’ s Civil Aviation Authority ( QCAA ) chairman , Abdul Aziz Al Noaimi , said : “ Hamad International Airport will truly be a global showpiece that the State of Qatar will justifiably be proud of .”
The HOK designed 600,000sqm , three-level passenger terminal , will initially be equipped to handle up to 28mppa .
Qatar Airways CEO , Akbar Al Baker , said : “ This is an historic year for the State of Qatar , Qatar Airways and the country ’ s young aviation industry .”
London Stansted sale confirmed
Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited has agreed to sell its 100 % interest in Stansted Airport to Manchester Airports Group for € 1.8 billion .
Colin Matthews , chief executive of Heathrow , said : “ We wish the new owners every success and are confident the airport will flourish . We will continue to focus on improving Heathrow , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Southampton airports .”
The deal effectively completes the break-up of BAA , which was ordered to sell Stansted , Gatwick and a Scottish gateway ( Edinburgh ) by the UK ’ s Competition Commission to end its perceived airport monopoly in the UK . Its remaining airports now operate under individual brands .
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A new economic impact study conducted by the Arizona State University WP Carey School of Business found that the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport system had a $ 28.7 billion impact on the Phoenix area economy in 2011 . It states that air travel and tourism supports nearly 250,000 jobs locally with a payroll of $ 10 billion .
Copenhagen Airport ’ s loyalty programme has reached a quarter of a million members in just over a year . CPH Advantage now has 250,000 members after 13 months . The programme offers free Wi-Fi , bonus points and special parking offers . Carsten Nørland , VP , sales and marketing for Copenhagen Airport , said : “ The programme has given us an opportunity to get to know our passengers even better and thereby give our core customers products and services tailored to their needs .”
A consortium comprising TAV Airports and Aéroports de Paris ( ADP ) has declared an interest in running New York LaGuardia ’ s ( LGA ) planned new $ 3.6 billion Central Terminal Building ( CTB ). The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ( PANYNJ ) issued a Request for Qualifications ( RFQ ) in October last year for construction and operation of the planned new terminal .
The TSA has revealed that more than 1,500 firearms were discovered by screeners at security points at US airports last year . The figure is up on its 2011 total , when 1,320 firearms were found . Many of the weapons were loaded , and some even had rounds in the chamber , the TSA said . Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport found the most , with 80 guns being found in the first 11 months of the year .
AIRPORT WORLD / FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013
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