Rarotonga International Airport (Cook Islands): Airport eyes first ‘master plan’

For the first time in its 44-year history, Rarotonga International Airport is looking to put together a master plan that will help guide the facility’s future development.

The Airport Authority is going to tender sometime this week for the development of a master plan, says Authority chief executive Joe Ngamata.

“This master plan will provide the framework needed to guide future development in a rational, prudent and sustainable manner,” he explains.

Ngamata predicts that work on this important future-proofing project should be completed by April next year.

The tender process will involve the hiring of a consultant or company that specialises in airport master planning.

While the Airport Authority has conducted studies in the past for various aspects of the airport’s development, this is the first time an overarching master plan has been commissioned.

“It identifies what your traffic projections should be for the next 20 years, it identifies trigger points where you should be starting to build capacity in your facilities – it’s a means of developing the airport to a plan rather than just reacting to the demand when it comes through and building here and there.”

Source: Cook Islands News

China’s Tengchong Airport opens Terminal 2

Source: Google Maps

China’s Tengchong Tuofeng Airport opened its second terminal Sept. 9, as part of an expansion program that began in March 2015.

The three-year Terminal 2 project added five new aerobridges and four new Class C aircraft stands, increasing the total stands in the airport to 12.

Tengchong Airport is situated in the Yunnan province, about 700km (435 mi.) west of provincial capital Kunming, and in recent years has seen significant increase in passenger numbers passing through its gates. The airport surpassed its 500,000 passengers mark in 2011 and almost doubled to 997,300 passengers in 2017. It has also handled more than 730,000 so far this year and is expected to hit the 1 million mark by the end of 2018.

The Tengchong Airport Terminal operator, Yunnan Airport Group, said the new facilities will enable the airport to handle 2.3 million passengers, cargo of around 3,100 tonnes and 20,246 aircraft movements annually.

The airport is serviced by China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Lucky Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Chongqing Airlines and Kunming Airlines.

Source: ATW. Air Transport World

Selected builder to remodel Jersey Airport

GSRM is a joint venture of the Channel Islands-based contractor Garenne Construction Group and the UK’s Sir Robert McAlpine. They said that they planned to use their knowledge and experience working in Jersey and in the aviation sector to engage in the final design stage of the scheme, working alongside the client, Ports of Jersey, to develop phasing strategies and the programme of work.

The project involves both refurbishment and new build elements to keep the airport compliant with safety and security requirements as well as to add capacity.

The £42m major works programme budget is not just focused on the creation of a new integrated two-storey arrivals and departures terminal.

Work is expected to start on schedule before the end of the year, and last until 2021.

Source: The construction Index

UPDATE. Athens International Airport undergoing expansion to keep up with high demand

Athens International Airport (AIA) is currently undergoing an expansion that will help it deal with passenger traffic which has risen significantly over the past few years.

The project is being carried out by the company Aktor and is the first step in what is meant to be a major project over the upcoming years.

The current 18-million-euro project is set for completion by the end of May next year and focuses on the expansion of the main terminal by 14,950 square meters to the southwest.

The airport handled a record 21.7 million passengers in 2017, with a growing network of 137 destinations operated by 60 airlines. Among the most significant additions to Athens’ connectivity was the launch of direct long-haul connections to Beijing, New York, and Singapore.

The dynamic trend has continued in 2018, with 10.9% growth to over eight million passengers in the first six months of the year. While domestic traffic grew slightly, there was a sharp increase of 16.2% in the number of international travellers. Additionally, to date, foreign residents’ international arrivals grew by 25%. The figures for the summer season are also impressive, with four new airlines (Cyprus Airways, Flynas, Primera Air, Wizz Air), a new based airline (Volotea), 49 new routes, 24 new destinations, and 320 new weekly flights. Frequencies have also been increased on 26 existing destinations, notably Air China adding a third weekly flight on its Beijing route, and Scoot with a fourth weekly frequency to Singapore.

Planning of other works is also underway, regarding operational facilities for departures and arrivals, enhanced passport control for departing passengers, additional check-in and ticket counters, as well as new retail and food & beverage areas.

Source:  Greek City Times