Airport Updates: Latest News On The Global Market (W/C June 23, 2025)

The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Director Rosemary Vassiliadis announced her retirement after serving a 28-year career in LAS leadership. She will continue in her role until Sept. 12. Vassiliadis was appointed to the top executive spot at LAS in 2013, following more than 15 years as the airport's deputy director. “Under her tenure, LAS has not only navigated through challenges such as a global pandemic, but also incredible opportunities with mega-events, conventions and tens of millions of passengers,” said Kevin Schiller, the manager of Clark County, Nevada, which owns the airport. As Clark County’s aviation director, Vassiliadis also oversaw four general aviation airports. LAS handled 58.4 million passengers in 2024, up 1.4% year-over-year and an annual record. “It has truly been an honor to manage the Clark County airport system, which serves as a critical asset in the economic viability for southern Nevada,” Vassiliadis said. “There is no doubt that our airport system is well situated to continue to serve as the front door to the mega-events, conventions, sporting events and so much more.” In February 2025, Vassiliadis was credited with overseeing LAS’s efficient processing of a wave of passengers in the days surrounding the 2025 National Football League Super Bowl held in Las Vegas. She also oversaw the construction of LAS’ 14-gate Terminal 3, which opened in 2012. Prior to becoming LAS’ deputy director, Vassiliadis served as Clark County’s director of finance. Clark County said it is “working through the next steps to fill the [LAS] director position.” Vassiliadis told Aviation Week in 2022 that LAS plays an important role serving as the front door to Las Vegas. The quality of service at LAS “does reflect on the airport and the city, especially if you are a destination city like we are,” she explained. “If there's a shortage in wheelchair pushers, no one really cares if it is an airline’s responsibility or that this is an FAA-mandated service. It's, ‘Oh my gosh, at Las Vegas I couldn't get a wheelchair pusher’ … Coordinating with the airlines, we also work closely with our concessionaires to make sure they’re open at the right times. We want to make sure that they're open at the times that we know passengers are going to be at gates. So, [managing the airport requires] a lot of communication” with all of the stakeholders at LAS.

Logistics real estate developer Realterm will build a cargo facility at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) in Germany. It will include 45,000 m² (484,376 ft.²) of warehouse space designed to be potentially used by a single operator or multiple operators. Realterm said LEJ’s lack of restrictions in terms of slots and time—the airport operates 24/7—makes it ideal for cargo transport. The company said the facility will have direct airside access and an aircraft parking area. It will also feature “truck staging areas for seamless ground transportation [and a] flexible layout accommodating express, e-commerce and specialized cargo handling,” Realterm said.

Flemish investment firm PMV acquired a 39% stake in Brussels Airport (BRU). The stake was acquired from Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, which has held an indirect holding in BRU for 14 years. “This transaction does not result in a change in … the execution of the strategy of the airport,” BRU said. BRU CEO Arnaud Feist added: “We are happy to welcome PMV as our new indirect shareholder. An investment company with a long-term vision such as PMV is a perfect fit for an infrastructure company like Brussels Airport and the role we play as … [an] economic driver in Flanders and Belgium.”  

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) said strong year-over-year traffic growth in May was driven “by routes to/from Mainland China and Southeast Asia, which showed the most increases during the month.” The airport handled 4.86 million passengers in May, up 19.7% year-over-year. For the 12 months ended May 31, HKG handled 56.7 million passengers, up 20.1% year-over-year. HKG’s cargo volume in May rose 1.4% to 422,000 metric tons. Cargo “traffic to/from Europe and the Middle East were the primary drivers of cargo growth,” HKG said.

Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) and Brussels Airport signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on air cargo development. “As larger airports such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam face regulatory limits on flight operations, midsized airports like Brussels are stepping in to accommodate growing airfreight needs,” ICN said. “Through the MOU, [ICN] and Brussels Airport will cooperate on joint marketing, cargo route expansion, operational support and data exchange.”