Washington Dulles International Airport.
Credit: J. David Ake/Getty
The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.
The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) issued a request for information (RFI) seeking proposals for the “design, financing and construction of a new terminal and concourses to replace or build on the existing terminal and concourses” at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he is seeking “public-private partnership plans from the best and brightest developers, architects and engineers to construct completely new terminals and concourses at IAD.” DOT technically owns IAD, but the airport is governed by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). The public body has a lease with DOT to run IAD through 2100. “While MWAA has plans for updates to the facility, they are insufficient to meet the need for a beautiful gateway to our nation's capital,” DOT stated. “For example, they retain the mobile lounges [which transport passengers to gates] for the next 15 to 20 years at a cost of $160 million. Just last month, one of these mobile lounges crashed, injuring 18 individuals.” Duffy added: “Tourists, world leaders and CEOs from around the world should not be forced to travel through an inefficient airport when they visit DC. IAD needs a complete refresh to assume its proper role as the premier international gateway into the capital … We're engaging the private sector to explore how we can do this cost effectively." DOT said once it receives proposals under the RFI, it will “share them with MWAA and work closely with the airport authority to implement improved designs.”
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) opened a third runway. Zhu Fanghai, deputy commander of SZX construction, said the new runway “will create more favorable conditions for opening new passenger and cargo routes, increasing flight frequencies and expanding aviation capacity.” The new runway is 11,800 ft. long. SZX opened in 1991 with one runway and added a second runway in 2011. The airport handled more than 60 million passengers in 2024, its highest-ever annual number, and expects 2025 passengers will exceed 65 million.
Bristol Airport (BRS) in England will spend £60 million ($80 million) to renovate and expand its passenger terminal’s departure area. BRS said 17 new retail spaces will be added, “including some premium retail brands and dining options.”
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) launched a tender process to select three ground handling companies for the airport, pairing down from six ground handlers operating at AMS currently. AMS seeks to have more control over ground handling rather than the open-market approach now in place in which airlines select ground handlers. “Reducing the number of handling companies offers opportunities for smarter and more efficient organization,” AMS said. “Ground handling companies are being asked to make more joint use of handling equipment, which creates space on the apron and ensures more sustainable use of resources. In addition, we are setting further requirements on the working conditions for employees and the quality of service.” The airport said it seeks to “intentionally select our partners and organize the collaboration more effectively.” After selections are made, there will be a transition period until new seven-year contracts with the three ground handling companies begin in the first quarter of 2027. "It is important that we work more closely with ground handling companies in order to be a top-quality airport,” AMS COO Patricia Vitalis said. “By limiting the number of parties and carefully selecting them, we gain more control over the quality of service, quality of work, safety and cooperation.”
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