Turkish Airlines jets at Istanbul Airport.
The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.
Turkish Airlines broke ground on $100 million worth of infrastructure projects at Istanbul Airport (IST), including starting the second phase of building its new cargo facility dubbed SmartIST. The cargo facility currently has a handling capacity of 2.2 million annual tons, which will more than double to 4.5 million annual tons when completed. The cargo project is slated to be finished in 2028. Turkish Airlines also broke ground on a new catering facility at IST “with the capacity to serve more than 500,000 passengers per day and expected to become operational during the 2027-28 period,” according to the carrier. A Turklish Technic engine maintenance center at IST will be completed by 2027, capable of servicing Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97 and Trent 7000 engines. The airline is also building additional aircraft maintenance hangars under the Turkish Technic banner. These are scheduled to be completed this year and increase the airline’s maintenance capacity at IST to 12 aircraft being served simultaneously. An e-commerce complex, which is “a key element in the logistics and digital transformation vision,” is expected to become operational this year. The facility will enable "door-to-door integrated cargo solutions,” Turkish Airlines said. The carrier also noted it is building an IST data center, planned to become operational between the 2027 and 2028. The first phase of a new flight training center is scheduled to be completed in 2027. The airline is also building an additional crew terminal building “planned in line with the [carrier’s] expanding operational volume.” It is scheduled for completion this year and is viewed by the airline as a “complementary infrastructure element that provides seamless logistics flow between ground services, maintenance and flight operations.” The IST projects will be the “backbone of a strategic aviation ecosystem supporting global operations,” Turkish Airlines said.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) named Wendy Reiter its new managing director, with immediate effect. Reiter had been in charge of security, fire and emergency preparedness for SEA. She fills the role previously held by Lance Lyttle, who departed in April 2025 to take the role of CEO at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas completed a new outbound baggage handling system. “This high-tech system processes 4,000 bags per hour, significantly enhancing reliability and helping reduce flight delays so passengers can get where they're going on time,” AUS said. The system, made up of 1.5 mi. of conveyer belts, facilitates moving checked bags through security screening and onto departing aircraft. The project cost approximately $241.5 million.
Menzies Aviation received a seven-year freighter handling license at Brussels Airport (BRU), allowing the UK aviation services company to expand into Belgium. “The start of operations at BRU brings Belgium into Menzies Aviation's growing global network of more than 350 airports in 65 countries,” Menzies said. “It highlights the company's continued momentum and focus on expanding its freighter handling and airside service capabilities across key international hubs.” Under the license, Menzies launched operations at BRU for LATAM Cargo, supporting three daily freighter flights. "The award of this license highlights the strength of our freighter handling expertise, and launching operations with LATAM's expanding freighter schedule at BRU sets a strong foundation for the years ahead,” said Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, Menzies’ executive vice president for Europe.
Reno-Tahoe Airport (RNO) CEO Daren Griffin is departing Jan. 31, after five years at the helm of the Nevada airport, to take the role of CEO at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio. RNO Chief Operations and Public Safety Officer Cris Jensen will assume the position of interim CEO while the airport conducts a national search for a permanent replacement for Griffin.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) Director Cindy Nichol became chair of Airports Council International-North America’s board of directors. She succeeds Kevin Dolliole, director of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), who remains on the board as immediate past chair. Nichol has been the top official at SMF since 2018.
Līhu'e Airport (LIH) in Hawaii is paving an overflow employee automobile parking lot—currently gravel—with asphalt, and making improvements to expand the lot’s capacity. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), which is overseeing the $10.2 million project, said “marked parking stalls, lighting, access control, security cameras, drainage and other related improvements” will be made, adding: “When completed, the 2.3-acre paved lot will accommodate up to 347 employee vehicles, an increase of approximately 117 stalls. Parking at Līhu'e Airport is [currently] limited for both the traveling public and airport employees. The public lot has 578 stalls. The main employee parking lot has 333 stalls, but availability varies during peak travel periods when a portion of the employee stalls are made available to the public, forcing employees to park in the overflow gravel lot.” The project is expected to be completed by fall 2026. Looking to the future, “HDOT is planning an additional project to expand the public parking capacity by converting two small, landscaped parcels located at each end of the existing lot,” the agency said. “Based on a preliminary assessment of the two semi-circle-shaped parcels, it is estimated that 128 public parking stalls could be added. This project is currently in the design phase. The project completion is targeted for the first half of 2029.” LIH is served by six U.S. airlines and Canadian carrier WestJet.
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