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An international affair
Industry experts from around the world gathered to exchange knowledge on the future of airport innovation at inter airport Europe 2019, held at the Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany on 8–11 October, 2019.
The finer details
Even in vast and architecturally striking spaces such as airports, successful and passenger-friendly design often depends on the details: lighting, furniture choices, surface materials and so on. Abi Millar discusses the process that goes into creating intelligent and unified interior concepts with Kristian Gilroy of Cinimod Studio and Peter Farmer of Chapman Taylor.
Blue skies above, green grass below
Between rushed check-in and gruff security staff, taking a flight is rarely relaxing. Drab airport design that brings to mind a shopping centre in a warehouse hardly helps. But a new type of airport design is finally changing all that by bringing plants and flowers into the terminal. Andrea Valentino talks to Marion Town, environmental director at the Vancouver Airport Authority, about how green design can help the environment and make passengers feel more comfortable.
Food for thought
Airport food and beverage (F&B) is a monumental business and there is plenty of room for waste. However, as airport operations continue to expand and passengers become increasingly environmentally aware, bosses are turning towards greener policies. Andrea Valentino talks to Jeremy Webb, aviation environmental programme manager at the Port of Seattle, and Ben Crowley, head of F&B at Heathrow, about how airports are making their F&B operations more sustainable – and how passengers have a crucial role to play too.
Worker drones
Stories of disruption caused by illicit drone activity have appeared regularly over recent months. However, despite the technical challenges their presence causes, legitimate drones have much to offer airport operations. Philip Hall, chair of the IEEE-USA Committee on Transportation and Aerospace Policy and CEO of RelmaTech, explains their benefits and how to coordinate drone activity with air traffic management.
Eye on efficiency
The implementation of satellite communication promises to have a significant impact across air traffic management systems, allowing for increased accuracy, security and efficiency. The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Iris Data Link Service (DLS) satellite system is now in its final stages of development. Andrew Barnett asks Paolo Burzigotti, acting Iris project manager at the ESA, about the technology.
The fun starts here
Airport terminals can be challenging places for many, and for children they are often liable to be alternately boring, frustrating and frightening. However, taking their needs into account can make the terminal a more pleasant, fun environment for all passengers. Abi Millar speaks to Matthew Horobin, director of brand engagement at Dubai Airports, and Christopher Birch, director of guest experience at San Francisco International Airport, about how to best cater to the youngest travellers.
Check out the new check-in
Capacity challenges mean that attention is turning to services that can simultaneously enhance passenger experience while saving terminal space. As the check-in process undergoes significant change, how can airports take advantage of new technologies to reduce queues and benefit operations? At a roundtable held by Future Airport in partnership with eezeetags, industry experts discussed the place of check-in as airports go seamless.
Drop everything
Self-bag-drop machines are taking airports by storm, making check-in faster and less stressful. But making the switch to self-service is not always simple, with technical hiccups and confused passengers just two of the challenges. Andrea Valentino talks to Mirjam Froehlich, head of business support in the aviation department of Hamburg Airport, about how her team adapted, and how the technology can help customers.
A united front
Martin Eurnekian, scion of an Argentinian business dynasty and CEO of Corporación América Airports, has recently taken on the mantle of chair of the Airports Council International (ACI) World governing board. In an exclusive interview, Eurnekian talks with Grace Allen about the challenges of meeting global demand for air travel at a time of critical importance for the industry, the value of collaboration to overcome disruption, and the role of the ACI in encouraging unity and providing leadership.