Autor: Travel Market

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Greenland: Airport project on world’s largest island

Greenland’s government has struck a deal with Denmark over funding for upgrades to three airports on the Arctic island, a project of strategic interest to a number of international players including China and the United States.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Monday confirmed the agreement reached with Kim Kielsen, Greenland’s premier, during an impromptu visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

A self-governing Danish territory and the world’s largest island, Greenland has control over areas including mineral resources and social policy, while Denmark maintains responsibility for foreign policy and security.

«With the agreement, we promise to take advantage of the fact that the Commonwealth offers many opportunities,» Rasmussen said in a statement on Twitter.

The deal will see Denmark contribute to an estimated 3.6bn kroner ($559m) revamp of airports in Nuuk, Qaqortoq in the south, and Ilulissat, the island’s main tourism spot, aiming to help Greenland capitalise on Arctic tourism and cater for flights between Europe and North America.

Source: Al-Jazeera

NOTE:  A government-owned Chinese firm has put forward a bid to build a new airport in Greenland, which some analysts fear could threaten a vital U.S. Air Force base located in the country.

Home to only about 56,000 inhabitants, Greenland is a constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark and relies heavily on air travel. As a result, the country’s autonomous government is seeking to build a new airport, which will cost an estimated $560 million.

The China Communications Construction Company, which is owned by Beijing’s government and was previously blacklisted by the World Bank, has put forward a bid to build the new airport, Defense News reported. Denmark, a close ally of the U.S., has objected to the proposal and maintains a final say on national security issues. But Greenland’s local government has pushed back, insisting the Chinese bid receive serious consideration. (Source: Newsweek)

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San Jose International Airport breaks ground on boarding project

Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) has broken ground on its boarding project, which will create up to six boarding gates. The facility is scheduled to open in summer 2019.

Hensel Phelps Construction Company and Fentress Architects have partnered in a design-build collaboration to deliver an interim gates facility at SJC in response to current and predicted record passenger growth.

Based on an announcement issued by SJC earlier this year, more non-stop flights and destinations are contributing to the projected 14 million+ passengers that will be served in 2018, equaling SJC’s peak traffic levels prior to 9/11 in 2001.

The expansion will enhance flight scheduling flexibility, decrease delays, allow SJC to meet desired passenger service levels, and support current operations and planned growth.

Connected to the Fentress-designed Terminal B on the south end, the budgeted US$58m facility will include five gates with passenger boarding bridges; a sixth gate position to be ground loaded; a 15,000ft² (1,400m²), 550-person hold room; and additional concession space.

Terminal B, completed in 2010 by the same team as part of SJC’s Terminal Area Improvement Program, was the first LEED Silver certified terminal in the USA.

Source: Passenger Terminal Today

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India: all government-run airports are to set up or increase food counters with affordable pricing

Passengers travelling out of Chennai airport may soon be able to grab a bite that’s easy on their pockets, as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering an increase in the number of food counters that sell snacks and beverages at a reasonable cost.

Following a circular issued by AAI headquarters in Delhi, all government-run airports are to set up or increase food counters with affordable pricing. Smaller airports have started to float tenders to install them. Chennai airport, however, may not float a fresh tender but ask its food and beverages (F&B) contractor — Travel Foods Services (TFS) — to set up the stalls.

A senior official of AAI said, “We will consider increasing the number of stalls if there is a demand.”

The company has already set up four such stalls at the terminals following several complaints from passengers on the high cost of food items and water bottles. A TFS official said, “We have two stalls each at the domestic and international terminals. These shops cater to the demand. AAI also displays information about the presence of the stalls on flight information boards.”

As airlines have started to operate flights to small towns, encouraged by regional connectivity scheme, the number of domestic departures has gone up. There is a need for more such shops, as the domestic terminal handles as many as 30 night flights. Passengers reach the airport well before the odd departure hours, and may need access to stalls selling food and beverages at reasonable prices.

Tea and water are priced at above Rs50 at most shops inside the terminals and the security hold area where passengers wait to board planes.

A passenger said the existing shops that sell F&B at cheaper rates should be moved to a prominent location as it was difficult to locate the shops inside the terminals. “The staff manning the stall try to sell a water bottle for Rs50, if the passenger fails to notice that the stall sells items at cheaper rates.”

Sources said the existing F&B contractor did not want more such stalls to be established as it would affect the sales in other stalls that sell products at premium rates.

Source: The Indian Times

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St Maarten: Port to welcome one millionth cruise passenger on Thursday

Port St. Maarten is expected to welcome its one millionth passenger to the shores of the country on Thursday, as the port continues to exceed projections made following the destruction of the facility after the passing of hurricane Irma just over a year ago.

Between January and September 6, the Port received 972,000 cruise passengers, St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Director May-Ling Chun told reporters at a stakeholder’s press conference held at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort on Monday.
Chun and her counterparts in French St. Martin provided an update on the current state of the various sectors on both sides of the island as well as gave projections for the future.
Stakeholders painted a promising picture of the island’s recovery during a stakeholder’s press meeting.

PJIA
Princess Juliana International Airport also had good news reporting that its approximate weekly seat capacity stood at 24,229 in the winter of 2016/2017 and it now stands at 10,792. A total of 21 of the 26 airlines serving the country pre-Irma have returned to the destination, which represents 84 per cent. Additionally, four new carriers are now plying the St. Maarten route: Air Century, SkyHigh, SXM Airways and interCaribbean.
Prior to Irma the country had 394 weekly flights. By October 2018, the airport projects the number of weekly flights to increase to 310, which represents 78.7 per cent.

Source: The Daily Herald St Maarten