Hensel Phelps has been selected to provide Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) services for the Concourse A Reconstruction Project at Nashville International Airport (BNA) by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA).

As part of the BNA New Horizon program, a long-term plan to accommodate Middle Tennessee’s rapid growth, this project marks Hensel Phelps’ fourth major contract at the airport.

Since 2018, the company has played a pivotal role in transforming BNA into a world-class travel hub.

The Concourse A project will include the demolition of the existing six-gate concourse and old International Arrivals Facility, reconstruction of a new 16-gate Concourse A, and a landside extension of North ticketing and baggage claim.

The project is expected to complete the design phase in May 2025 and to begin construction in the summer of 2025, with completion expected in mid-2028.

Clif Fesler, general manager at Hensel Phelps said: “We are honoured to continue our work as a key partner in the BNA New Horizon program.

“This project is very important to our team in Nashville as BNA is a critical component of the Nashville landscape that our friends and families will utilize for many years to come.”

Hensel Phelps is currently working on the BNA Concourse D Extension, scheduled for completion in July 2025, and recently completed the BNA Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility, which opened to the public on September 25, 2023.

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In a significant milestone for Pakistan’s infrastructure development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have jointly inaugurated the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) via a virtual ceremony.

The airport, located in Pakistan’s southwestern port city of Gwadar, is set to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.

During the ceremony in Islamabad, Prime Minister Sharif hailed the airport’s completion as a “gift from China,” reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.

He emphasised that the new airport would be instrumental in transforming not just Gwadar’s local economy, but also in contributing to Pakistan’s broader economic development.

Prime Minister Sharif said: “This airport is a testament to China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s progress, especially in uplifting less developed regions.”

He expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership and applauded the efforts of both Pakistani and Chinese engineers and workers in delivering a world-class facility in Gwadar.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is currently on a four-day official visit to Pakistan, reaffirmed China’s dedication to the partnership.

He noted that the New Gwadar International Airport marks a critical step towards establishing Gwadar as a key regional hub, enhancing its role as a centre for trade and connectivity.

“Building this modern, high-standard airport in just five years demonstrates the strength of China-Pakistan cooperation,” Premier Li said.

He also assured that China would continue to work with Pakistan under the principles of joint planning, construction, and mutual benefit.

The NGIA project is a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an ambitious initiative under China’s Belt and Road framework aimed at enhancing regional trade and economic cooperation.

The airport, which will be capable of handling both domestic and international flights, is expected to play a vital role in connecting Gwadar with major cities across Pakistan and beyond, enhancing trade routes and fostering economic growth.

Premier Li is accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, including representatives from China’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.

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Milan Bergamo Airport has taken on a series of transformative infrastructure development projects aimed at enhancing the travel experience and operational efficiency.

The ongoing terminal expansion project, which is being implemented in multiple phases, is set to redefine the passenger experience at Bergamo Airport.

The first phase involves the expansion of the check-in hall, which will nearly double the current capacity by increasing the number of check-in counters from 33 to 60.

This phase is scheduled to be completed during Q2 2025, significantly reducing waiting times and enhancing passenger flow.

The second phase focuses on a new state-of-the-art security control area located on the first floor of the expanded terminal.

Equipped with the latest security technology, dedicated family lanes, and a fast-track service, this facility aims to streamline security screening processes. The expected completion for this phase is Q4 2025.

Additionally, as part of the expansion, the airport will inaugurate two new non-Schengen gates during Q1 2026, while optimising the current 25 gates -15 for Schengen and 10 for non-Schengen traffic.

On the other hand, during Q1 2025, one additional Schengen gate will be opened to cater for the growing passenger numbers.

Accessibility to Milan Bergamo Airport is also being enhanced through various road and rail projects.

In summer 2024, a new P1 East parking area was opened for efficient passenger pick-up and drop-off.

In the coming months, a new access point will be launched, providing an additional vehicle entrance to the airport, facilitating smoother traffic flow.

Plans are underway to build a new airport hotel in the P3 parking area, set to be managed by an international hotel brand.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, adding another layer of convenience for travellers.

Giacomo Cattaneo, director of commercial aviation, SACBO, said: “These infrastructure projects represent a major step forward in Milan Bergamo Airport’s commitment to providing an enhanced travel experience for our passengers and partners.

“The phased expansions will not only support the increasing passenger traffic but also place us at the forefront of sustainability and innovation in the aviation sector.

“We are excited to continue serving the growing needs of our passengers while strengthening our role as a gateway to the Lombardy region.”

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£1.1bn will be invested in Stansted Airport to boost the British economy, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced today at the International Investment Summit.

The five-year investment is expected to double the airport’s annual economic contribution to the UK to £2bn and create 5,000 new jobs.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns Stansted as well as Manchester and East Midlands airports, is funding the investment.

£600mn will be invested to expand the airport’s passenger terminal by a third to secure new routes, while £500mn will be put towards improving the existing terminal and wider airport estate. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Ken O’Toole, CEO of Manchester Airports Group, said: “By investing more than £1bn in Stansted over the next five years, we will be able to connect people and businesses in London and the east of England to even more global destinations, while welcoming millions more visitors to the UK.

“We are proud to be investing in our infrastructure in a way that will create jobs and stimulate trade, investment and tourism. 

“Aviation is an essential enabler of the success of the UK’s key high-value industries, and we look forward to helping the government achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7 through the sustainable growth of our airports.”

The investment will also deliver on Stansted’s 14.3MW on-site solar farm, which will support the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands.

It follows the recent creation of a new electric vehicle charging forecourt at the airport.

The scheme is expected to significantly improve the passenger experience from check-in to immigration.

It will deliver a larger security hall, an airfield taxiway upgrade and an overhaul of gate rooms, boosting capacity and comfort for passengers before boarding, the Department for Transport said.

The expansion plans already have planning permissions to begin construction, and are in line with previously agreed passenger and flight numbers.

Gareth Powell, managing director of Stansted, said: “Stansted is embarking on an exciting new chapter.

“We aim to add even more choice of airlines to continue growing our extensive route network that is valued and enjoyed by the millions of passengers who choose to fly from London Stansted every year.

“We are already welcoming a record number of passengers, with people drawn to the fact we give them a great choice of destinations, at excellent value and with fantastic access into central London and the whole of the East of England.”

The airport served 29.3 million passengers in the year to September 2024, the busiest 12-month period in its history.

Over the past year, a number of new airlines have started flying from Stansted for the first time, including Royal Jordanian and Sun Express, and the return of British Airways, boosting the number of destinations on the departure board to more than 200 this summer.

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SITA, provider of air transport technology, is installing its SmartPath technology across nine Indian airports in a partnership with Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Part of the wider DigiYatra initiative, the collaboration marks a milestone in Indian aviation. It introduces SITA’s transformative, industry-leading contactless boarding pass system to reduce waiting times, creating a seamless travel experience for passengers, and improves airport efficiency for every traveler.

AAI will use SITA’s state-of-the-art products and solutions, including SITA Smart Path, Passenger Flow Management (PFM) solution, and Face Pods.

These technologies offer biometric solutions at most touchpoints across the airport, meaning a contact-free travel experience across nine Indian airports, putting passengers in control of their journey, cutting down on wait times throughout the airports.

The partnership is a key element of AAI’s strategy to digitalize Indian airports as part of DigiYatra, an initiative created by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation to revolutionize air travel in India by providing passengers with a paperless airport experience using advanced facial recognition technology.

The Digi Yatra was made live at an inauguration event in the context of the wider DigiYatra initiative at Visakhapatnam Airport, with the attendance of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Rammohan Naidu, and other distinguished guests, including Hon’ble Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol and Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Shri. M. Suresh. Airports in Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Raipur, Bagdogra, Patna, Goa (Dabolim), and Coimbatore are part of this deployment of SITA technology for the initiative.

SITA’s biometric technology will transform the way travellers navigate through Indian airports.

Sumesh Patel, president, APAC, SITA said: “With a focus on delivering digital travel, improving airport efficiency, and future-proofing operations with smart, agile solutions, India has a unique opportunity to revolutionize its airports with truly world-class infrastructure.

“It is vital in this connected era that travel across the globe is as seamless as possible and we are ready to help India continue to innovate in their digitalization efforts with SITA technology as the DigiYatra initiative spreads across India.”

India sees DigiYatra as a transformative force for the aviation industry and society, and that with collaboration with SITA, the initiative will establish new benchmarks in passenger experience and operational efficiency at airports across the country.

In 2023, over 20 million users experienced DigiYatra, and with its upcoming availability at 28 Indian airports, DigiYatra aims to cover approximately 90% of India’s domestic flying population.

The DigiYatra Foundation plans to align with IATA’s One-ID initiative for global interoperability, further improving the seamless travel experience.

In July 2023, SITA announced a landmark deal with AAI to provide technology to 43 of India’s biggest airports.

The deal will see improvements to over 2,700 passenger touchpoints, signifying one of the largest deployments for passenger processing.

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Australia’s newest airport, Western Sydney International Airport, is on track to open its doors to passengers by the end of 2026.

With the construction of its roof recently completed, work on Sydney’s second hub airport can now focus on interior finishings and final touches in time for the planned opening.

Catherine King, Australia’s infrastructure and transport minister, stated the airport has now reached 80 per cent completion.

She said: “This is a great milestone to be able to celebrate alongside the construction staff and commissioning staff at Western Sydney International Airport.

“There’s been 100 workers working to put this roof onto this terminal over the last 18 months.

“You can start to see the shape, the design and the experience that passengers are going to have.”

More than 6,000 solar panels are set to be included to the airport’s roof to aid overall power generation.

King added that construction of the airport has helped spur employment in the local area as many of the workers involved are Western Sydney locals.

The airport has also sourced much of its steel from domestic manufacturers, fabricated in places such as Adelaide, Whyalla, Tamworth and Orange.

Simon Hickey, CEO of Western Sydney International Airport, stated that testing of the airport’s operational functions can begin from mid-2025.

He said: “From mid-next year, we’ll take all of the assets across the airport and we go into operational readiness and testing, including all of the different agencies that will work together so that we’re actually fit and ready for the first passengers to arrive in 2026.”

Katy Gallagher, Australia’s finance minister, added: “This transformational project is attracting billions of dollars worth of investment into Western Sydney, which is our nation’s third-largest economy and one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Gallagher claimed the airport’s future operations will hugely benefit the local population with the possible creation of thousands of more jobs.

Once open, the 24-hour airport will initially operate domestic flights served by Qantas and Jetstar.

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Airbus has teamed up with London Gatwick, easyJet and Air Products, the world’s largest hydrogen supplier, to expand hydrogen capability and infrastructure in the UK as the manufacturer moves closer to its target of getting a hydrogen powered aircraft in the sky by 2035.

Setting up the right infrastructure is key to enabling hydrogen flight and this partnership is yet another step towards making this a reality in the UK.

Under Airbus’ Hydrogen Hubs at Airports framework, the scope of work covers liquid hydrogen supply and storage at the airport, refuelling and ground handling of hydrogen aircraft, as well as the exploration of other, shorter-term opportunities for using hydrogen at London Gatwick.

Because early hydrogen-powered aircraft will initially focus on short to medium haul routes, London Gatwick’s position as the UK’s leading hub for these services, along with easyJet’s operational insight as a short haul carrier, makes this the ideal testbed for R&D into critical support infrastructure.

This collaboration between Airbus, London Gatwick, easyJet and Air Products will serve as a powerful statement of commitment to making hydrogen-powered flight a reality by 2035.

Airbus Vice President ZEROe Project Glenn Llewellyn said: “Our licence to operate hinges on finding better ways to fly.

“We know hydrogen has the versatility to be an excellent fuel source for decarbonising the industry.

“We’ve set ambitious targets to fly on hydrogen by 2035 and this technology needs to be supported by reliable and tested infrastructure.

“Sharing knowledge and best practice at airports will be critical for building the right hydrogen ecosystem around the world and we look forward to working with all consortium members to develop the support for the technology and end-to-end hydrogen supply chain that will power future flight.”

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, London Gatwick, said: “Alongside Sustainable Aviation Fuels, hydrogen stands out as having real potential to help us decarbonise Scope 3 emissions at the airport, particularly for the short haul aircraft that dominate London Gatwick’s operations.

“In parallel we’ve accelerated our plans and aim to be net zero for the emissions we control – Scope 1 and 2 – ten years early, by 2030.

“We still have a long way to go and a lot of hard work to do, but today’s exciting partnership is an important early step toward reaching our net zero ambitions.”

David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer, easyJet, said: “Hydrogen is going to play an important role in decarbonising aviation so we need to lay the groundwork now to make that happen.

“The Gatwick hub is another positive signal and demonstrates the industry’s intent to both adapt and work together to reach the common goal of decarbonising aviation.

“Combined with support from regulators and policymakers, I’ve no doubt that projects like this will act as the building blocks to prepare UK airports for a hydrogen transition – something that will be critical to achieving our net zero ambitions.”

Suzanne Lowe, Vice President and General Manager, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel and Italy, Air Products, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to contribute Air Products’ decades of experience producing and distributing hydrogen to this exciting project.

“The Hydrogen Hubs at Airports framework is an important milestone in paving the way for sustainable aviation and future proofing the UK economy.

“Air Products is committed to helping the UK become a global leader in low carbon hydrogen production.

“We look forward to collaborating with our partners and government leaders on this project and to unlock further investments in renewable hydrogen.

“These include our plans for a large-scale renewable hydrogen facility in Immingham.”

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JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to build and operate John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6, and, Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific, have announced an agreement for the airline to operate from Terminal 6 when the first five gates open to passengers in early 2026.

In addition, Cathay Pacific will open a nearly 10,000 square foot lounge at Terminal 6 – its first dedicated lounge in the New York market and its second in the United States along with San Francisco International Airport.

Cathay Pacific customers can also look forward to Terminal 6’s digital-first, boutique guest experience, with a less than 5-minute average walk from the TSA security checkpoint exit to its gates.

The new Terminal 6 is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, with two new terminals, two expanded and modernized terminals, a new ground transportation center and an entirely new, simplified roadway network.

Steve Thody, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners said: “We are thrilled to partner with a world-renowned carrier like Cathay Pacific, who shares our vision and commitment to an outstanding guest experience.

“We can’t wait to welcome Cathay Pacific’s passengers to our world-class T6 facility, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Chris van den Hooven, Cathay Pacific Senior Vice President, Americas said: “This represents a huge milestone in Cathay Pacific’s 28 years of connecting New York with our home, Hong Kong and from 1 July it will be 20 years since we commenced our regular non-stop service.

“It has long been our ambition to provide our customers a signature Cathay Pacific airport experience at JFK.

“We are delighted about our partnership with JFK Millennium Partners, which will make this dream a reality.”

Vivian Lo, Cathay Pacific General Manager Customer Experience and Design said: “New York JFK is among the top locations in our global lounge strategy.

“We are truly excited by this opportunity to bring the signature Cathay Pacific lounge experience to our premium customers at this important port in our network.

“This new lounge will feature a number of exciting developments that will put it at the forefront of our lounge proposition, and we look forward to sharing more details with our customers at the appropriate time.”

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Hill International, Inc., delivering the infrastructure of change, announced today it was selected by the City of Fresno Airports Department to provide construction management consulting services for the Terminal Expansion project at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT).

This commercial and military airport in Fresno, CA, serves as a major gateway to Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks.

It offers a range of domestic and international flights, playing a pivotal role in connecting California’s Central Valley to the rest of the United States and the world.

The multi-phase project aims to enhance the passenger experience by adding a new terminal concourse, increasing capacity to meet passenger demand, and improving safety, security, and operational efficiency for both domestic and international flights.

The project includes constructing a new terminal concourse and hold room with two new jet bridge swing gates for domestic and international use, as well as adding four concession retail spaces and a new and remodelled tenant office facility.

It also involves building a new federal inspection service (FIS) facility with an attached arrivals lobby and outdoor plaza, expanding the passenger screening checkpoint, and installing a new Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) along with remodelling the baggage makeup area and baggage conveyor.

Additionally, the project will demolish the existing FIS facility and complete significant exterior paving, sitework, parking facilities, and related infrastructure upgrades.

Overall, the project will expand the airport to meet current and future needs, incorporate ADA improvements, enhance the travel experience, and provide increased travel options for the region.

Hill’s services will include establishing project management and quality assurance protocols, engaging with stakeholders, assessing contractor performance and project budgets, and overseeing on-site inspection, staffing reviews, constructability assessments, and value engineering.

Andrew Kreck, PE, CCM, First Vice President, Northern California Operations, said of the award: “We’re thrilled to be a part of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s terminal expansion.

“This project is a great opportunity for Hill to contribute to the region’s growth, and we’re eager to help shape a facility that will improve the travel experience and meet the evolving needs of passengers and airlines alike.”

Raouf S. Ghali, Hill Chief Executive Officer says: “Our team is excited to apply our global experience to meet the growing demands of air travel, focusing on enhancing operational efficiencies and improving the passenger experience.

“This effort aligns with our mission to develop infrastructure that makes a positive impact on communities and economies.”

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Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) has announced an invitation for developers and consortiums to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for the redevelopment, operation, and management of Muscat International Airport’s Old Terminal.

The ambitious project will be carried out under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.

Originally opened in 1973, the old terminal has undergone multiple expansions over the years to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.

Successful candidates from the prequalification process will be invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next stage of the bidding process.

Naif al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), earlier this year disclosed, “The old Muscat airport terminal building will be redeveloped as a multi-purpose facility, with plans to convert it into an aviation museum that will showcase the history of aviation in the country.”

In related developments, the CAA has commenced commercial operations on the southern runway at Muscat International Airport, which is the historic runway linked to the old terminal building.

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