Announcements, news stories and opinions from ACI World Business Partners across the globe.
Jacobs and HOK to work on modernisation of SEA’s S Concourse
Jacobs and Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) will both play key roles in the modernisation of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s S Concourse.
Jacobs has beem selected by the Port of Seattle to lead and manage the 10-year renovation of the S Concourse. Modernising the 50-year-old concourse includes improving operating systems, environmental efficiencies, and earthquake resiliency, prioritising seismic updates.
Jacobs will provide full project management services, including project controls, estimating and scheduling support, development of enabling facilities supporting phase construction (airside, terminal, utilities), and a complete gate utilisation strategy.
In addition, the company will provide advisory services for passenger flow analysis, airport and airline tenant engagement, and evaluation of sustainable building opportunities such as rainwater harvesting, eliminating the use of natural gas and the installation of sustainable alternative power sources, including solar energy.
“We are working together to create a multi-phased approach with long-term benefits for the operation and readiness of the staff, systems, equipment and processes during the development of the S Concourse,” said Imad Feghali, Jacobs’ senior vice president and general manager for Americas West.
“We are committed to bringing custom solutions to the airport and improving transportation connectivity – all through the lens of sustainable development.”
As the S Concourse design and construction work develops, the Port of Seattle and Jacobs are committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity by partnering with women-and minority-owned business enterprises (WMBE) and other disadvantaged firms and setting an aspirational goal of 20% participation for the overall project supply chain and greater than 25% for Jacobs’ contracted services.
Meanwhile, working in collaboration with the Port of Seattle and AECOM, HOK has been appointed Lead Designer on the project.
The project involves a substantial upgrade to existing structures and building systems, and repurposing space to comply with the latest building codes.
According to HOK, the comprehensive modernisation programme will “transform the S Concourse and pave the way for exciting enhancements.”
It noted that the building will be redesigned to serve as an inviting international travel gateway, complete with expanded retail, duty free shops, food & beverage options and premium lounge spaces. Improvements to passenger circulation also are planned.
With an estimated completion of construction in 2031, the project is currently in its early stages.
SEA has experienced significant growth over the past two decades and serves as a crucial transpacific and international hub for several airlines. The steady increase in passenger traffic has created the need for improved and updated facilities.
Todd Buchanan, HOK’s principal-in-charge on the project, enthused: “HOK has a longstanding relationship with both the Port of Seattle and SEA. We’re honoured that they’ve entrusted us with this strategically significant project, and we look forward to exceeding the expectations of the airport and its travellers with a transformed S Concourse.”
While HOK’s regional leader for aviation and transportation, Keith Hui, said: “HOK’s design strategy for the project revolves around three guiding principles: the positive effects of daylight, the relaxing quality of openness and the creation of a unique sense of place.
“By incorporating these principles, the design will provide an environment that reduces stress and is intuitive to navigate, thus enhancing the overall traveler experience.”
Earlier this year, HOK announced its leadership role in modernising Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s North Main Terminal in partnership with general contractor Hensel Phelps, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle.
Known as the SEA Gateway Project, this initiative will transform a significant part of the terminal to accommodate increasing passenger demand while elevating the travel experience at this Pacific Northwest hub.
HOK’s past projects at the airport include the Concourse D Annex project, which opened in 2018.
New F&B concepts keep coming at Helsinki Airport
It has been a busy year for the SSP Group at Helsinki Airport, which has opened a number of new F&B outlets across the gateway, including its largest foodcourt in Finland.
Centrally located, the foodcourt is designed to complement the architectural theme of the terminal and offers a diverse selection of concepts to appeal to the international traveller.
Of the six units, three are bespoke brands, created by SSP Finland. Amongst them is Tori Kitchen & Café while ‘Asian Corner’ brings the experience of the best food stalls in Asia to the terminal. The menu is full of flavours from across the continent, and is changed regularly to reflect current tastes and trends.
The foodcourt also features three established international concepts – Bastard Burgers, Middle Eastern-style Finnish favourite, Fafa’s, and Finnish chain, Robert’s Coffee.
Guests at the foodcourt are able to make their selections via a self-ordering kiosk, which allows quick and easy ordering and payment. In Tori Café & Kitchen, customers can use self-checkout tills to pay quickly without having to queue. Meanwhile, a communal seating area allows passengers travelling in groups to each enjoy their own choices of food.
Elena Heiska, managing director of SSP Finland said: “These openings are a reflection of the hard work of our team, the efficiency of our operations at the airport, and our long history as a trusted partner at HEL.
“With particular appeal to the airport’s ever-growing percentage of leisure travellers, the new bars, restaurants and shops will offer something for everyone.”
Landmark Indian airport deal for SITA
SITA has been awarded a landmark deal by the Airports Authority of India to provide technology to 43 of India’s biggest airports.
The deal will see improvements at over 2,700 passenger touchpoints, paving the way for the adoption of “new-age solutions” to meet the modern passenger’s expectations.
Initially deployed across 43 airports, the technologies are scalable to an additional 40 airports over the next seven years. Over 500 million passengers are expected to be processed during this period.
The roll-out of new cloud technology will enable Indian airports to shift to common use passenger experiences where multiple airlines can leverage the same infrastructure, such as check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and boarding gates.
Sumesh Patel, SITA’s president for Asia Pacific, said: “The number of airports in India is expected to increase from 148 today to 220 by 2025. The new airports will bring India’s almost 50 cities with populations exceeding one million people even closer together, creating substantial economic value in the long-term.
“By connecting these cities better, air travel and transport will help unlock the full potential of India’s economic growth, too. Ensuring efficient and fluid operations and a seamless passenger experience at these airports will be critical to delivering on India’s air transport industry opportunity.”
AIRPORT DIRECT TRAVEL LIMITED (T/A REZCOMM)
Membership Region: Europe
Type of Business: IT & Communications
W: www.airportdirecttravel.com
Airport Direct Travel (ADT) is an airport-centric business that provides world class IT solutions and services to the airport Industry. As an enterprise organisation with offices in Europe, USA and Australia, ADT focuses on generating income for their airport clients by leveraging their experience and industry leading technology ‘AirportREZ’ to deliver greater parking and ancillary revenues.
GHAFARI ASSOCIATES
Membership Region: North America
Type of Business: Planning & Construction
W: www.ghafari.com
Ghafari Associates provides consulting, architecture and engineering services to a worldwide aviation, industrial, government and commercial client base from its offices in Dearborn (Michigan), Chicago (Illinois) and Indianapolis (Indiana). The Ghafari Aviation Group provides services in support of the aviation industry to both airport authorities as well as airlines related to the design and engineering of airport facilities.
CASPER BV
Membership Region: Europe
Type of Business: IT & Communications
W: www.frontier.nl
Casper is an innovative IT company specialising in the development of real-time location-based monitoring and analysis tools. Casper delivers airport noise and flight tracking systems, A-CDM situational awareness solutions and interactive community involvement websites.
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