Slovenia: Ljubljana Airport readies for new terminal

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is expected to start work on the construction of its new terminal building by the end of the year in order for it to open its doors to the public in time for the 2020 summer season. The Maribor-based Plan B Architects have been commissioned to design the new terminal. The company recently completed the structure’s design (pictured), while a tender call for the facility’s construction is expected soon. Stretching over 10.000 square metres, it will feature a new departures hall with 22 check-in counters, five security lanes, three baggage reclaim carousels, a new baggage sorting area, a large duty free shop, a new premium lounge, as well as new food and beverage facilities.

Initial construction work will involve the demolition of the old administrative building, which is expected to take place during the fourth quarter of the year, while the construction of the new terminal will be carried out mostly during 2019. The existing passenger terminal, which stretches over 13.000 square metres, will also be partially renovated. The two facilities will be joined to form a single functioning unit. The new terminal will significantly boost capacity from 500 to 1.280 passengers per hour.

Ljubljana Airport handled a total of 831.195 travellers during the first half of the year, which is up 15% on 2017. Growth was fuelled by the launch of seven new routes by Adria Airways, as well as improved passenger numbers on almost all other flights, with exception to Vienna, Belgrade and London Gatwick.

Laos airport can now handle 820% more foreign travelers

The international terminal of the airport serving the Laotian capital of Vientiane can now accommodate as many as 2.3 million foreign travelers a year, roughly nine times the original terminal’s capacity.

Japanese construction company Hazama Ando, which managed the expansion project at Wattay International Airport, officially passed the terminal over to the Lao Airports Authority on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Japanese aviation services provider Jalux and trading house Toyota Tsusho agreed to a 10-year extension of their management of the international terminal in a joint venture with local concerns.

Laos is keen to become a travel destination and the expanded terminal will play a key role.

The government of Laos expects the number of people arriving in the country on international flights to reach 1.51 million in 2023.

The expansion project doubled the size of the international terminal to 25,000 sq. meters.

Source: Nikkei Asian Review

Terminal expansion at Paris-Orly to streamline passenger processing

Paris-Orly airport expansion, which is expected to be an eco-friendly development, is hoped to facilitate increased passenger numbers to allow seamless travel.

Groupe ADP is opening a new 6,000m2 building in Hall 1 of the West Terminal of Paris-Orly Airport.

This expansion, equipped with four new pier-served stands for medium-haul aircraft, will increase the terminal’s aircraft capacity.

The new infrastructure, made necessary by the regular increase in number of passengers at Paris-Orly, will improve service by increasing the size of the boarding and alighting areas, and will increase capacity in Hall 1, from 4.8 to 5.5 million passengers per year.

Facilities and services

To meet passengers’ needs and expectations, three new stores have been opened: a Relay boutique, a duty-free zone selling alcohol, tobacco, perfume and lifestyle products, as well as a Paul restaurant.

In addition, a range of services are available in the boarding lounge: kids’ play areas, PlayStation games, phone-charging stations, a public piano, and an outdoor smoking terrace. This hall is intended for passengers flying to Schengen destinations on the following airlines: HOP! Air France, Air France, Air Malta, Alitalia, Iberia, TAP and Vueling.

Source: International Airport Review 

Ireland West Airport unveils first phase of €15m airport transformation programme

Ireland West Airport has unveiled the first phase of its €15m (US$17.4m) transformation project that includes a remodeled immigration and arrivals area, covered aircraft passenger boarding stairs and new toilet facilities.

Phase 1 projects recently completed include:
• Construction and remodeling of new toilet facilities at the airport;
• Remodeling of immigration and arrivals area creating increased circulation space for arriving passengers;
• Covered aircraft passenger boarding stairs for passengers boarding and disembarking aircraft;
• Enhancement of the airport experience from a visual perspective helping to create a combination of a lighter and brighter passenger environment and contemporary look and feel throughout the airport terminal;
• Resurfacing of Car Park Zone 5 resulting in 250 permanent surfaced parking lot spaces less than five minutes’ walk from the terminal;
• Upgrade of existing parking lot equipment to the latest state of the art equipment;
• Construction of a new aviation gallery in the first floor of the terminal building;
• Installation of 25 new flight information display screens across the airport terminal;
• Installation of new state of the art digital display screens throughout the airport facility;
• Installation of a new industry best practice wayfinding signage system across the airport facility;
• Upgrade and replenishment of ground handling equipment, snow clearing equipment and safety and response vehicles;
• Extension to the fire station at the airport;
• Enhancements to the airport retail and catering facilities;
• Implementation of a major airfield drainage program on the airport’s runway;
• Upgrading of the runway lighting system.

Phase 2 of the airport transformation program has begun and will involve the completion of the following major projects over the coming 18 months:
• Opening of a new state-of-the-art Visitor Discovery Centre in the terminal building;
• Upgrading of hold baggage-screening equipment to comply with industry regulation;
• Remodeling and upgrading of the airport departures area;
• Upgrading of air traffic control equipment;
• Rehabilitation of the airports 2,400m-long (7,870ft) runway and upgrading of instrument landing system;
• Further upgrade and enhancement work to the airport car