Airport Updates: Latest News On The Global Market (W/C Sept. 21, 2026)

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

Airports Council International (ACI) World has called for a rethinking of the way airports allocate slots, saying a “modernized, transparent and collaborative approach [could] ensure scarce airport capacity is used efficiently, market access remains competitive and slot allocation keeps pace with increasing passenger demand.” ACI World added: “The foundational framework managing slot allocation has not kept pace with aviation's dynamic growth and transformation. With the number of the world's most congested, slot-restricted airports surging by over 25% in the last decade alone, and global passenger traffic projected to nearly double by the mid-2040s, the capacity crisis continues to accelerate.” The organization noted that fewer than 10% of the world's airports handle nearly two-thirds of all passengers, and that at the 50 most congested, on average four airlines operate 67% of flights. “We strongly urge airline representatives and legacy industry bodies to move past historical resistance and a zero-sum mentality and join us in improving the slot allocation system,” ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said.

Manchester Airport (MAN) in the UK said the £1.5 billion ($2 billion) rebuild of Terminal 2, ongoing for the past decade, is nearly complete. A 300-seat pub opened in Terminal 2 on Sept. 15, the last new retail outlet that is part of the terminal revamp, marking one of the “final steps” to fully completing the terminal project, MAN said.

Etihad Airways will open a new premium lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in summer 2027. The airline said the LHR lounge will be the first of its “next-generation” lounges and will be the “start of a wider expansion of Etihad lounges around the world.” The new concept seeks to harmonize airport lounges with the airline's new aircraft interiors, such as those unveiled in Airbus A321XLR and A330 cabins.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) will be performing maintenance on Runway 06-24 starting Sept. 21. The runway will be closed on weekdays through Sept. 29 but will be available on Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27. Aircraft takeoff from 06-24 (also known as the Kaagbaan Runway) in a southwesterly direction and approach from the southwest or northeast, according to AMS. The airport, which has six runways, will shift traffic to other runways during the period. During the maintenance, “asphalt and runway markings will be inspected and maintained where necessary,” AMS said. “Electrical systems and cabling will be inspected, the stormwater drainage system will be flushed at various locations, surrounding grass areas will be mown, and lights will be cleaned or replaced.”

Stewart Wingate will become London Gatwick Airport’s (LGW) board chair on Oct. 1. Wingate has spent the last year as managing director of UK airports for Vinci Airports, which holds a majority stake in the ownership of LGW and runs the airport. Prior to that role, he was LGW’s executive director for 15 years. Wingate will succeed Margaret Ford, who has been chair of the LGW board since 2023.

Malaysia Airports has set an Oct. 2 deadline for a request for information (RFI) regarding a review of its duty-free concession model. Malaysia Airports manages more than two dozen airports in the country, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport. “The review responds to changing passenger expectations and shopping behaviors, which continue to influence demand within airport retail,” Malaysia Airports said. “An independent benchmarking exercise against regional and international airports has identified opportunities to strengthen the existing model.” The organization added that the RFI is “a market-sounding exercise and not a procurement process.”

Air Canada has moved operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4.

Brisbane Airport (BNE) has opened a new 12-lane passport control area, which has been relocated to the fourth level of the international terminal to be near the security screening area. “For the first time, check-in, security screening and passport control will all be located on a single convenient level,” BNE said. "Passengers can now move seamlessly from security screening to passport control in one streamlined journey.” The move also clears space to double the size of the airport duty-free retail area.