ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL NEWS
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A snapshot of some of the biggest stories from across the region.
Shape of things to come in Shenzhen
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport’s new Satellite Concourse promises to be one of the most memorable in China if this artist’s impression of the future becomes reality.
Designed to serve up to 22 million passengers annually, the complex will have four storeys with a mezzanine over the Departures level.
Aedas is the lead design architect on the project as part of an international team that also includes Landrum & Brown (aviation planners) and local design institute/terminal planners, GDAD.
Describing the new Satellite Concourse (pictured above), Aedas says: “The roof, inspired by the gently curving rivers of the region, will guide the flow of the passengers through the concourse.
“The retail and food and beverage elements are organised along the main passenger routes, further reinforcing the holistic and intuitive nature of the interior and optimising sight lines to all offerings.
“The light and durable interior palette has been chosen to reinforce a sense of calm and a relaxed ambience. The building façade will be made of high performance glazing and a composite insulated metal roof cladding system.”
An Automated People Mover (APM) system will provide access to the concourse, which Aedas reveals will be light and spacious.
The project is expected to be completed in 2020 as the airport looks to add a third runway, satellite concourse and fourth terminal by 2025 to ensure that it is equipped to handle 63 million passengers per annum by 2040.
Lost and Found auction for charity
Sydney Airport’s 2016 Lost Property Auction has raised over A$200,000 for charity, with the funds to be distributed to Conservation Volunteers Australia, The Clontarf Foundation, The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation and Lifeline Australia.
“We’re thrilled to have raised over A$200,000 to be shared among four worthy charities focusing on the environment, health, education and families in need,” enthuses Sydney Airport’s managing director and CEO, Kerrie Mather.
“Our Lost Property Auction is always incredibly popular with the public and this year was no different. We’d like to thank the public for their contribution to this great result, which we couldn’t have achieved without their enthusiasm and support.”
The Lost Property Auction ran online from October 11th to the 20th, 2016, with around 5,000 unclaimed items sold across categories that included electronics, cosmetics, jewellery, clothing and accessories.
The auction also featured unique items such as a remote control helicopter, drill, violin, microwave, telescope and mountain bike. A collection of five assorted men’s watches was the most expensive item, with a closing bid of A$2,350.
IT upgrade for Manila
Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport has selected SITA as its IT partner as it looks to invest in new common use, self-service technology to improve its operational efficiency and support IATA’s Fast Travel programme.
The airport is also looking to install a new local departure control system (LDCS) to provide vital back up to its airlines in the case of disruption to their systems.
Ed Monreal, general manager of Manila International Airport Authority, says: “Our aim is to improve the airport experience for passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“SITA’s next-generation technology allows the airlines to offer fast and efficient service in terminals 1 and 2 and its baggage reconciliation system will also ensure bags are electronically tracked until aircraft loading, reducing the passenger inconvenience of mishandled bags.
“We are starting with shared airport systems and as we progress in our transformation we plan to introduce self-service technology such as check-in kiosks, bag drop and possibly self-boarding.
“The airlines have committed to test these self-service systems in the coming months as we work together to alleviate the peak season passenger surge.”
Source of national pride
Dubai International Airport picked a novel way to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates – wrapping the nation’s flag around its Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower.
The 700sqm flag brought a distinctive new-look to the ATC tower ahead of the UAE’s National Day on December 2.
Dubai Airports reveals that it took a six-man team using special access ropes 12 days to install the red, green, black and white flag, which it describes as “stunning”.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiestinternational airport in the world and it will hold on to the title for at least another year with 83 million passengers expected to have passed through its facilities by the end of 2016.
New terminal in Kathmandu
Groupe ADP is working on the design of a new international terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu that is capable of handling up to 7.5 million passenger per annum.
The complex will allow the existing intermational terminal to be converted into a domestic terminal to create a new 12mppa gateway by 2021.
According to ADP, which is carrying out the work through 100% owned subsidiary ADP Ingénierie, the project and other planned upgrades to the gateway are part of a vast reconstruction programme, resulting partly from the earthquake that ravaged the Nepalese capital in April 2015.
ADP assures that the new 95,000sqm terminal project will combine “modernity and respect” for Nepal’s “all-encompassing natural environment”.
In addition to the terminal, ADPI will be responsible for designing an adjoining VIP terminal; maintenance hangars for Nepal Airlines and the Nepalese Air Force; a new energy plant; and a storage facility for apron equipment.
Given the significant constraints of the site, which include an immediately adjacent forest and the steep slope of the land, Groupe ADP insists that all of its designs and technical features have considered the potential impact on the environment.
It is also quick to note that the forest has not only been preserved, but is actually ‘showcased’ through sensitive architectural landscaping.
Describing the new six contact stand terminal, Groupe ADP says: “The structure of the new international terminal is characterised by the soft curves of its roof, reminiscent of the silhouettes of the surrounding peaks.”
Kansai to open new hotel
Kansai International Airport (KIX) will become the latest Japanese gateway to boast ‘budget style’ accommodation when First Cabin opens a new “compact hotel” at the gateway in March 2017.
Located in KIX’s Aeroplaza, the new facility will be equipped with 153 cabins, lounge area and a large communal bath. Accommodation will include new ‘luxury’ 12 square metre Premium Class cabins for families/couples, which are two-and-a-half times the size of its First and Business Class cabins.
First Cabin also plans opening a facility at Tokyo Haneda’s Terminal 1 in 2017. Eight existing First Cabin hotels across Japan enjoy a 90% occupancy rate.
Going Dutch!
Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional hub for passenger and cargo traffic has been boosted by a Dutch-Vietnamese government programme to co-operate on aviation and airport development across the country.
The agreement – ratified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and a group of companies from the Netherlands – is designed to help the South East Asian country meet growing demand and achieve its aviation ambitions.
“The partnership between the Dutch and Vietnamese airlines, airports and aviation service providers will contribute to Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional hub for both passenger and cargo services,” explains Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Nienke Trooster.
“Where the Netherlands has the Port of Rotterdam and Amsterdam Schiphol to make it the gateway to Europe, Vietnam has the potential to develop into the gateway to ASEAN.”
The cluster of companies involved includes NACO and InterVISTAS – both part of Royal HaskoningDHV – as well as Vanderlande, Netherlands Aerospace Group, STRATAGEM, Districon, Ciconia Aviation Services, MovingDot and Avia.
Together with experts from the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment they have agreed to pass on their knowledge of how to attract private investors to help fund and develop infrastructure development projects such as the new greenfield project of Long Thanh.
“South East Asia is an important region for aviation development and Vietnam is of particular significance because of its high GDP growth and the recent signing of trade agreements with the EU and US,” says NACO chairman, Craig Huntbatch.
“This will accelerate the flow of travel and tourism which means that airport infrastructure will need to be adapted in parallel to meet this demand.”
