New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (center) at the opening of Kowhai Park at Christchurch Airport, which features around 300,000 solar panels.
The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) has reopened Runway 10-28 following the completion of an $83.8 million rehabilitation project. The work included milling and paving the runway, as well as the installation of an LED runway lighting system. Runway 10-28, one of two commercial runways at BWI, had been closed since July 22. The reopening will allow for a return to normal operations. “During much of the construction, the airport's other major runway was closed during overnight hours to accommodate paving work in the intersection of the two runways,” the Maryland airport noted.
Christchurch Airport (CHC) has opened a 150-megawatt solar farm. Around 300,000 solar panels stretch across a 230-hectare site at CHC. The solar farm is expected to generate the equivalent of the annual amount of electricity used to power 36,000 homes, according to the New Zealand airport. The project’s cost was NZ$273 million ($154 million).
Nashville International Airport (BNA) became the fifth airport where Waymo, the autonomous automobile ride-hailing service, has been approved to operate. Pickups and drop-offs will take place in an area dedicated to Waymo in the Tennessee airport’s Ground Transportation Center at the D1 curb. The service will be limited to “select riders” initially, according to Waymo, with the goal of expanding over time to eventually enable all BNA passengers to use the service. Airports where Waymo—a subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet—already operates its autonomous electric vehicles include Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Jose Mineta, San Francisco and San Antonio.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Wisconsin has completed construction of a new 337,000-ft.2 air cargo center. Construction started in February 2025. The facility has the capacity to accommodate five Boeing 747-400 aircraft simultaneously. MKE said the cargo center is expected to generate more than $1.3 million in annual aircraft landing fees and over $1 million in annual ground lease rents and fees.
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) in Queensland, Australia, opened a new check-in hall with 18 self-service kiosks, 10 automated bag drop units and a dedicated oversize baggage drop. “The new technology is designed to make the airport experience easier and more efficient, giving passengers greater control over the check-in and baggage drop process,” MCY said.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will expand duty-free shopping with three new locations to be added across the airport. Construction on the project’s first phase, expected to cost between $8 million and $15 million and covering 12,000 ft.2, is expected to begin before the end of 2026 and be completed in late 2027. Another 18,000 ft.2 of duty-free space will be added over multiple years.
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