Aviation Special Report 2011

KEEPING COMMERCE IN FLIGHT: 100 Years of Commercial Airports A 2011 Report for the Aviation Industry Prepared by Burns & McDonnell The Fascination of Flight: Airport Innovation for the Next Century Flying captures — and holds — the imagination of people young and old like few other concepts. It has for centuries, long before anyone successfully lifted off the ground. From Greek mythology to Leonardo da Vinci to Howard Hughes, the idea of flight fascinates and propels us. David G. Yeamans The innovations of a century of commercial airports are a testament to the President Aviation & Facilities Group hold it has over business executives, engineers and the traveling public alike. Burns & McDonnell We want to fly better, faster, farther and higher. The 2011 Aviation Special Report pays tribute to the spirit of invention that has made the commercial aviation industry grow and change over the past 100 years — and will drive it onward into the next. Burns & McDonnell will be right there with you. 2 Burns & McDonnell • www.burnsmcd.aero 4 Laying Claim to ‘First’: Celebrating a Century of Aviation History 6 A Travel Evolution: The Changing Nature of the Passenger Experience 7 Novelty to Necessity: Airport Concessions Maximize Convenience, Minimize Costs 8 100 Years of Hangar Advances: Helping Commercial Airports Prosper 10 Project Runway: Piecing Together the Puzzle of Complex Airfields 12 The Funding Factor: Planning Is Key in Keeping Airports in Business 14 Natural Disaster Vulnerability: A Real Risk for Airports 16 Looking to the Future: New Tool Brings Airspace Down to Earth 18 Fast Forward: Where Will Technology Take the Passenger Experience? Corporate Marketing: Joe Brooks, director; Kevin Fox, marketing manager Editor: Shonna Dexter Contributing Editor: Darla Amstein Art Direction and Design: Beth Mackey © 2011 Burns & McDonnell 2011 Aviation Special Report 3 C C Laying Claim to ‘First’: Celebrating a Century of Aviation History By Randy Pope, PE Nearly 100 years ago, commercial aviation began springing An International Affair up around the world. Upper-class Americans, Europeans and Many of the facilities claiming to be the first commercial airport businessmen began to sign on for the 12- and 17-passenger are overseas. In the United States, the Newark International short and uncomfortable flights. This newfound mode of Airport has grounds to make its declaration. The airfield was transportation brought them to their destination more quickly built in 1928, and Amelia Earhart dedicated the terminal than rail service could promise. building in 1935. In its early days, Newark International was the busiest airport in the world. Officials boast of being home With those flights came the need for commercial airports. to many of the nation’s aviation firsts, including: Much discussion and debate will no doubt reign over the • First passenger terminal next few years as we enter the second century of commercial • First paved runway aviation, with airports throughout the world staking claim to • First air traffic control tower the title of “first.” • First runway with lighting • First airport weather stations The Military Factor Like many aviation developments throughout the century, By 1939, Newark was the nation’s busiest airport, handling the first commercial airport likely sprung from the military. 481,000 passengers — a huge number at that time. One airport that can certainly lay claim to being first was Le Bourget near Paris. Here, as at so many other airports, Other commercial airports firsts: facilities began to be built to accommodate • Miami International Airport, built in 1928 and home to startup airlines Pan Am and Eastern the new passenger traffic. • Taliedo Airport in Milan, Italy, which traces back to the 1910s • Flughafen Devau, near what was then Konigsberg, During World War II, many East Prussia, built from 1919-1921 commercial airports were taken • S. Darius and S. Girenas Airport in Kaunas, Lithuania, which over for military operations. However, opened in 1915 another of the earliest commercial • Croydon Airport in South London, which started air traffic airports worldwide was never used solely for control in 1921 military purposes. The Tempelhof Airport in Berlin was open • Sydney Airport in Australia claims to be the world’s oldest during World War II but was never used by the Nazis for war continuously operating airport, with its opening flights operations. The airport was decommissioned in 2008 and has tracing to 1920 been transformed into Berlin’s largest park. It still boasts the third largest building in the world, the former No matter who was first, commercial aviation has evolved airport terminal. significantly in the past century. As the next generation of jumbo jets takes off and airlines test new ways to lure and satisfy passengers, the industry will see a new wave of evolution in technology and travel. Army Airfield established at College Park, Md., by Wilbur Wright, making it the longest continuously operating airport in the world today 19081900s 1909 1910 First passenger flight: Orville Wright opens the Wilbur Wright takes an first commercial flight school employee along for a ride in Montgomery, Ala. 4 Burns & McDonnell • www.burnsmcd.aero Laying Claim to ‘First’: Celebrating a Century of Aviation History In 1910, flying boats landed and departed from the port of Southampton, England. The mayor then named this facility an “air-port.” Photo: New Jersey State Archives, Department of State Photo: New Jersey State Archives, Control tower, Sydney Airport. Newark International Airport. Silas Christofferson carries passengers by hydroplane between San Francisco and Oakland harbors 1910 19111910s 1913 1918 Orville Wright opens the Burgess Co. becomes the first licensed National Air Mail first commercial flight school commercial aircraft manufacturer service inaugurated in Montgomery, Ala. 2011 Aviation Special Report 5 C C A Travel Evolution: The Changing Nature of the Passenger Experience By Bret Pilney, PE, LEED AP When commercial flights began to take off, convenience of Today, travelers’ comfort is at the forefront of the design passengers wasn’t much of a concern. Simply getting them process. Even before arriving at the terminal, people need to from point A to point B was a feat in and of itself. As the feel at ease with the process. Burns & McDonnell works with years have passed, however, the needs and comfort level of airline and airport clients to lessen friction from the first step passengers have come to the forefront as airlines and the onto the property through boarding at the gate. By working with industries that support them recognized the role of passengers all stakeholders, we make design and construction of terminal in profitability. improvements as seamless as possible for travelers and airport staff alike. Whether the project is parking improvements, way In the early days of commercial flight, the passenger finding, security or concessions, communication is key in experience was simple. Because so few people could afford creating a positive airport experience for passengers. to fly and commercial airline accommodations were limited, commercial airports served a limited purpose: to allow the In the early days of flight, the stress of flying was primarily planes a place to take off and land. Passengers carried their about whether you would arrive at your destination or not. own luggage and boarded planes on the apron. Eventually, Today, many travelers experience stress throughout their stewards boarded flights to make the flying experience more journey. Burns & McDonnell works with airline and airport comfortable and handled luggage before the flight — clients to reduce passenger anxiety at every stage of their trip. the early baggage handlers. After all, a relaxed passenger will spend more time and more money on travel. And that’s good for everyone. As commercial travel became less expensive and available to more people, the airport experience grew in importance. After World War II, airport design became more sophisticated, and terminal design began to evolve. Passengers were routed through terminals to board their flights, rather than simply walking or driving onto the apron. As air travel began to surpass rail travel, amenities for the traveling public and creating a transition from the terminal entrance to boarding areas became the standard for design. During the boom of air travel, amenities during flight were an important aspect of making passengers comfortable. Progressing from airport arrival to boarding was less stressful in earlier times. With no baggage screening or security checkpoints, travelers walked throughout the terminal at their leisure. Commercial air travel was an experience in and of itself. Passenger expectations for the airport experience have evolved to emphasize comfort and convenience. Sydney Airport opens for commercial service 19191920s 1920 1920 KLM begins operation, making it the 1920 Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport oldest carrier in the world still operating opens for commercial service under its original name 6 Burns & McDonnell • www.burnsmcd.aero A Travel Evolution: The Changing Nature Novelty to Necessity: Airport Concessions of the Passenger Experience Maximize Convenience, Minimize Costs By Katherine Goudreau, Burns & McDonnell, and Rhett Workman, US Airways The commercial airport was still a novelty in the 1940s. Washington National Airport leveraged the innovation of flight to draw consumers to an upscale restaurant where patrons could view

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