A FedEx 767-300F taxiing at Tokyo Narita Airport.
The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.
FedEx Corp. will expand its cargo handling facilities at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). The company plans to double the size of its current footprint at NRT to 8,500 m2 (91,490 ft.2). The upgraded facilities will have two warehouses “designed to enhance capabilities and meet the increasingly diverse logistics needs of customers and businesses in eastern Japan,” FedEx said, adding that it “plans to install an advanced sorting system in one of the buildings, capable of handling a higher volume of parcels, including those from cross-border e-commerce businesses, coming in and out of eastern Japan.” The other warehouse will be a “specialized gateway facility for freight shipments, providing increased space for handling and preparation of import and export shipments as well as seamless truck loading and unloading operations,” FedEx said. The new facilities will open in phases between the second half of 2026 and 2027. “Improving our operational efficiency at this key gateway in Japan is vital to remain adaptable to today’s varied shipping requirements and volumes,” said Kei Alan Kubota, FedEx Japan’s managing director.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has started a “one-stop security” pilot program in which passengers traveling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on select flights to two U.S. airports will be able to bypass being re-screened before connecting to a U.S. domestic flight. Passengers flying on American Airlines service between LHR and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and on Delta Air Lines flights between LHR and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are eligible. The pilot program may be expanded beyond those two initial services as TSA assesses the results. According to the agency, passengers will “proceed directly to the terminal’s sterile area for connecting flights after clearing Customs and Border Protection federal inspection.” Also, passengers’ checked baggage will be transferred to connecting flights without being re-screened. “Participating foreign airports must meet certain standards deemed commensurate to TSA standards,” the agency said. So far, only LHR has been approved.
Denver International Airport’s (DEN) AA- bond rating was affirmed by Fitch Ratings for DEN’s $3.9 billion senior airport revenue bonds. The credit ratings service additionally affirmed DEN’s A+ rating on its $3.1 billion subordinate lien bonds. “Fitch also affirmed that DEN’s bonds continue to have a ‘positive outlook’ that reflects strong financial performance,” DEN said, noting “key areas of strength” cited by Fitch were “a strong pricing framework under long-term agreements with the leading air carriers and DEN’s historically strong financial metrics.”
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) started construction on an $84.5 million “express shuttle connector road” that will be used exclusively by shuttles connecting the economy automobile parking garage, employee garage and rental car facility on MSY’s south campus to the passenger terminal on the airport’s north campus. “The new connector road project will decrease traffic congestion on public roads, minimize wait times for passengers using shuttle services and serve as the foundation for future intermodal connectivity … to New Orleans rail,” MSY stated. Michael Bagneries, chair of the New Orleans Aviation Board, said the road will be a “game-changer” for the airport. About 75% of the project’s cost will be funded via FAA grants. “This dedicated roadway will transform how passengers, employees and rental car customers move between our facilities, eliminating the frustration of traffic delays and unpredictable shuttle times,” Bagneries said. An average of 9,000 people use the shuttle buses daily. Shuttles now have to share public roads and pass through four traffic lights. Shuttle transit times are expected to be cut from an average of 14-18 min. currently to 7-10 min. when the project is completed in 2027.
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