International Airport News

Air passengers are being urged to check if their flights are operating today as gales from the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo hit the UK. About 10% of all flights at Heathrow have been grounded as strong winds are expected, with the 20 biggest carriers affected. British Airways cancelled flights ahead of the expected severe weather.

JetBlue Airways (New York) today (November 12) opened the long-awaited international arrivals hall extension to its world-class home at Terminal 5 (T5) at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. After a decade of international arrivals in New York, JetBlue will now bring Federal Inspection Services in-house. This will create a more seamless experience for customers traveling to and from JetBlue’s international network as one-third of the airline’s flying is outside the continental United States. Starting today, international customers will be able to depart and arrive under one roof, receiving the award-winning JetBlue Experience at all points along the way.

Ease and convenience are at the heart of T5i. The international extension will be able to accommodate up to 1,400 customers per hour. It will also house 40 state-of-the-art automated passport control (APC) machines and 10 Global Entry kiosks designed to expedite travelers through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) process in a more timely and efficient manner.

Changi in Singapore are to embark on building this... to be ready by 2018.

Security is being stepped up in Los Angeles, its area airports and other parts of Southern California amid new ISIS-related threats calling for attacks on uniformed personnel, several U.S. officials told NBC News on Friday.

Dh4.5-million worth of Heroin held at Dubai airport.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-arti...me/2015/April/crime_April29.xml&section=crime

DUBAI // Airport authorities and plane spotting enthusiasts have cautioned against taking photographs of aircraft in the UAE without permission, citing the two month imprisonment of three British hobbyists as a warning to others planning a trip to the region.“Any request to film or photograph aircraft from within or around the airports has to follow a strict approval process before an individual or group is granted access,” said a spokesman from Dubai Airports. “Dubai International and Al Maktoum International at DWC are secure environments with restricted access to ensure the safety and security of our passengers, employees and stakeholders.” The response from authorities comes after a judge from the state security division of the Federal Supreme Court ordered the release of plane spotters and British tourists Conrad Clitheroe, Gary Cooper along with their friend and UAE resident Neil Munro.

Photo by Urban capture

Mexico City International Airport had a bit of an emergency recently when a Magni charter Boeing 737-300 landed there and suffered gear collapse. The runway was forced to be closed for approximately 4 hours as a result of the accident. The MagniCharter aircraft was arriving from Cancun had the mishap with 139 passengers and five crew onboard. The aircraft has some years on it with it coming into service with United in 1988 and since then with GOL of Brazil. No one was injured during the ordeal.

Turkey's Ataturk International Airport has resumed operations after yesterday's unfortunate incident with terror activities. The attack by three suicide bombers detonating explosives resulting in the deaths of 42 persons and injuries to well over 200 (to date).

I'm reading about an incident at the Palm Beach International Airport relating to passengers being exposed to hydraulic fuel? Three passengers were taken away to hospital as a result of the exposure. An American Airlines flight was evacuated at the Palm Beach International Airport runway after it landed this afternoon.

Oslo Airport's new North Pier handled its first flights yesterday, Norwegian's DY375 from Tromsø being the first to use its C7 gate. “We are proud and excited to open parts of the North Pier to the public and finally be able to show off the building,” enthuses director of T2 operations, Thorgeir Landevaag. According to airport operator, Avinor, the North Pier will be in experimental operation until December, and will initially only handle a few domestic flights previously accommodated at the South Pier. “Use of the facility will be gradually expanded," explained Landevaag. "We are planning to have the entire North Pier open for traffic in early December.” Once the North Pier is fully open for traffic in December, it will consist of eleven gates – nine of which can be used for both domestic and international traffic.

London Luton continues to experience rising growth with the most recent figures showing that the airport has now surpassed the 14 million passenger threshold. Last month alone saw 1.4 million passengers pass through the airport. The airport needs to undergo expansion in order to keep pace with the rising passenger figures and to do this London Luton Airport is looking to create capacity for 18 million by 2020.

UK Government Gives Nod To Heathrow Expansion

Finally Heathrow International Airport (LHR) will be getting much needed expansion to cope with rising numbers and create more capacity. The much talked about 3rd runway still doesn't have a definitive location as yet and that will be figured out in the new year. Economic benefits from the expansion include "up to £61 billion" ($75 billion) and indicates "up to 77,000 additional local jobs" which is projected to be created over the next 14 years. Transport secretary Chris Grayling states: "I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK's place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond."

Heathrow plans to build a 3,500m northwest runway which will increase its capacity to 740,000 air traffic movements per year at a cost of £16 billion. It says it will construct a sixth terminal and reconfigure its existing terminal buildings into two main terminals – Heathrow East and Heathrow West – with a "toast-rack" formation of satellite terminals.

Warsaw Chopin Airport has cracked the 12 million passenger per year mark for the first time which makes this year a milestone year for them. The lucky 12 millionth passenger, Anna Stando, who arrived in Warsaw on a SWISS flight from Zurich, received an annual access pass to the airport’s Executive Lounges, as well as gifts from the carrier. Airport director, Mariusz Szpikowski, said he expects the Xmas rush to ensure that Chopin handles around 12.5 million passengers by year end. "The traffic at Chopin Airport is growing very rapidly, and next year there will be even more with up to 14 million passengers using the airport," predicted Szpikowski.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker announced this morning that the Hamad International Airport in Doha was awarded by Skytrax, the distinction of being rated as a 5-star Airport. Of course it is not easy to gain this distinction... as there were only 5 other International airports in the world up to this point that were rated as 5 star... now HIA joins this prestigious short list.

A deadly situation took place this afternoon at the (Florida Hollywood International) FLL airport where there was apparently an active shooter in the area of Terminal 2 and baggage Claims area. Since then 9 persons were shot and 3 dead. It is unclear whether the 3 dead is part of the 9 persons injured or extra persons. The suspect has been detained at this point.

Changi Airport in Singapore is expected to do some upgrades to the tune of S $50 million thanks to partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board. It is aimed to drive technological advances at the airport during the next 5 years. The Changi Airport Group (CAG) suggests that technology in areas such as automation and robotics, data analytics, non-intrusive security technologies and smart infrastructure management are ready for innovation and adoption at the airport. This airport handles over 55 million passengers per year.

An officer was stabbed in the neck at the Bishop International Airport in Michigan today. The officer was transported to hospital and worked on and since then is now in stable condition. As a result of the incident the airport has been shut down.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has broken ground on a number of capital construction projects designed to enhance the airport experience and improve YVR's competitive position as a world-class connecting hub. Many of these improvements and enhancements include building one of the largest GeoExchange systems in Canada, significant terminal expansions, new parking options and improved vehicle rental facilities. These are multiyear projects and are expected to help further improve efficiency and customer experience at the airport. In fact, this airport is one of the fastest growing airports in North America having recorded 24.2 million passengers in 2017.

Tampa International Airport has added non-stop flights to London. Airport officials announced they added two nonstop flights to London’s Gatwick Airport from Tampa through Norwegian Air. TIA already offers a daily service through British Airways, but says it is now offering two airlines to provide more options to passengers.

The new Istanbul International Airport is open now and here is a quick look through the massive terminal as it was working towards completion in late October.