Redefining airport cities

In an era of strong air traffic growth, which is forecast to rise steadily over the next 20 years, airport cities will play a central role in accommodating growth and providing greater capacity in many key locations around the world. At the same time, the spread of this global phenomenon has brought new dynamism to the very definition of what an airport is and what it can do for its community.

There are many positive contributions associated with airport cities, not the least of which is the economic dynamism that they stimulate.

These multi-faceted metropolitan powerhouses attract new businesses, create new jobs and open new commercial possibilities, introducing a vibrant business model that can accommodate intensive air travel needs in an environmentally responsible way.

The speed of bringing people together in a concentrated space makes popular ‘in and out’ business trips all the more efficient, while offering new avenues to airport hubs for incorporating tourism, entertainment, retail and conference options. For shippers, these gateways have underpinned ‘just in time’ manufacturing needs and provide necessary facilities for sophisticated cargo logistics operations.

In the context of our industry’s drive to mitigate aviation’s environmental impact, the airport cities concept of ‘one-stop-shopping’ contributes in several ways. By consolidating services at the airport, business travel can be streamlined, concentrating much of the work near and around the airport city site and avoiding extensive travel to reach more distant final destinations.

As the airport terminals and outlying buildings are built or expanded, the latest technologies and design features for energy conservation are being incorporated. Many have introduced the use of alternative fuels for ground vehicles and terminal air conditioning, installed new equipment to reduce aircraft fuel burn and implemented airport-wide recycling programmes.
Their commitment to testing new technologies is helping to develop best practice models that can be applied across the entire airports sector.

Most airport cities are integrated into an urban planning development scheme. In many instances, airport cities and local authorities are partnering to ensure wise land use management around the airport to limit noise disturbance for residents and preserve local air quality. Having control of the area surrounding an airport city also allows better control of environmental measures such as water quality. With high speed public transportation more and more frequently offered to and from the airport city, travellers and staff have an efficient alternative for reaching city centres and the chance to reduce road traffic and congestion around the site.

These are but some of the numerous ways that airport cities are making a substantial contribution to the industry. As you will discover by reading this book, there are many bold and innovative steps that have been successfully undertaken by airport cities. They point to a future that ensures operational efficiency and sustainability while creating a truly enjoyable airport experience.


Robert Aaronson
Director General ACI
April 2008

Contents

Industry foreword
Robert J. Aaronson, Director General
Airports Council International

Expert foreword
Professor John D. Kasarda, Director
Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise,
University of North Carolina

Part One: The story so far
Where the airport city concept began; what makes a successful airport city and the future of aerotropolis planning by Professor John D. Kasarda

Part Two: The pioneers
With an introduction by Professor John D. Kasarda

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dubai World Central
Frankfurt Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Part Three: The next generation
Abu Dhabi International Airport
Athens International Airport
Beijing Airport City
Belo Horizonte International Airport
Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports
Incheon International Airport
Memphis International Airport
Moscow Domodedovo International Airport
Singapore Changi International Airport
Vienna International Airport

Contacts
Jonathan Lee
Publisher
E-mail: jonathan@airport-world.com
Direct line: +44 (0) 208 831 7563

Airport World is printed on behalf of Airports Council International (ACI) World. Visit ACI's site by clicking here

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