Passenger Terminal World - Passenger Terminal World Annual Showcase 2025
Passenger Terminal World explores some of the world’s largest, multimillion-dollar airport investments made over the past year
Elizabeth Baker 2024-10-19 14:01:47
BIGGER & BETTER
Passenger Terminal World explores some of the world’s largest, multimillion-dollar airport investments made over the past year
ZAYED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Terminal A
Officially opened in February 2024, the US$3bn Terminal A doubles the capacity of Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi. The new facility can process 79 airplanes at once and up to 45 million travelers annually.
Sheer scale
Triple the size of the previous terminal, Terminal A offers flights to 117 destinations worldwide. Its facilities include 163 retail and F&B outlets covering 35,000m2 .
“This is a building with a truly monumental scale,” says Mustafa Chehabeddine, design principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox. “So we established a design language for continuity and flow throughout the project, developing a set of guidelines that ensured each element of the terminal, from the check-in desks to the chandeliers, felt as though it belonged in the building.”
To ensure that spacious feel, the departure hall is a largely column-free space, despite being 50m high. “When you’re in the terminal building under the large roof, you’re in the middle of a vast space with no columns – it’s scaleless,” continues Chehabeddine. “Instead of columns, the roof is supported by 18 long-spanning, leaning arches. Constructing the mega-arches, which at their widest point span 180m, pushed the boundaries of construction.”
With a 12-minute average walking time from curb to gate, the building’s X-shaped design is intended to improve operational efficiency and passenger flow. It features four themed piers inspired by Abu Dhabi’s desert, sea, city and oasis landscapes.
“The undulating form of the roof ... reduced the amount of glazing along the piers by 50%” Mustafa Chehabeddine, KPF
“We also created a series of landmarks throughout, including the Sana Al Nour, the feature staircase and the sculptural Shell, to orient passengers and provide moments of interest along their journey,” reports Chehabeddine. Standing at 22m tall and 17m wide, Sana Al Nour is one of the largest indoor public art features in the Middle East.
Tech-enabled efficiency
This massive project necessitated a smart sustainability plan. Terminal A reduces the airport’s water consumption by 45%, and more than 7,500 solar panels power a 3MW plant that currently saves 5,300 tons of carbon dioxide annually. An advanced surface movement control system, reportedly the first of its kind in the Middle East, enables airplanes to land quickly and safely even in weather conditions with low-visibility.
The bones of the building itself were also designed with sustainability in mind. “A key challenge in the envelope design was to create daylit spaces while protecting travelers against glare and overheating – without the use of external shading devices that could be affected by an accumulation of sand,” explains Chehabeddine. “The undulating form of the roof, which drapes over the façade, reduced the amount of glazing along the piers by 50%. The façade was also inclined to reduce the impact of the desert sun. High-performance glass, with fritting in a graduated pattern, was used to control glare where glazing was required.”
This efficiency ethos extends to the terminal’s approach to passenger processing. According to the airport, this is the first terminal in the world to include all nine biometric airport touchpoints. In the first phase, biometric solutions were installed in key areas, such as self-service bag drops, immigration e-gates and boarding gates. Now fully operational, Terminal A uses facial recognition technology to screen passengers and minimize wait times.
Additionally, the terminal has a baggage handling system capable of processing up to 19,200 bags per hour. As a result, Terminal A’s fastest transfer time is 45 minutes. This, and the 65 parking stands, are projected to create less congestion and a more relaxed airport experience for passengers and staff alike.
Having welcomed 13.9m passengers in the first half of 2024, Zayed International Airport Terminal A has reached the 3 Pearl level in the Estidama Pearl Building Rating System and been recognized as the Best Airport at Arrivals Globally in the 2024 ASQ (Airport Service Quality) Awards, based on data from ASQ’s passenger satisfaction program.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, USA
New Terminal 6
JFK International Airport’s new US$4.2bn Terminal 6 was topped out in October 2024. Spanning 111,500m2, it has been designed to occupy the site of the former Terminal 6 and the existing Terminal 7. The new Terminal 6 will feature 10 gates, 930m2 of amenities, naturally lit public spaces, custom artwork and architecture and digital technology – delivered by many minority, women-owned (MWBE), service-disabled, veteran-owned (SDVOB) and local business enterprises (LBE). In total, Terminal 6 construction is creating 4,000 jobs, including 1,800 union jobs.
The airport is pursuing multiple sustainability certifications for T6, including LEED (Silver or Gold), Envision and SITES to measure the overall sustainability performance of the project. “Sustainability elements were included up front in the design stage for T6,” explains Steve Thody, CEO of JFK Millennium Partners, the company managing the redevelopment of the terminal. “For example, we have designed the terminal with over 6,000 rooftop solar panels and 30 skylights to provide natural light and insulation. Our baggage system will be automated in order to save electricity, with other energy-efficient systems and operating practices in place throughout. Other features include gray-water use/reuse, and water-bottle refill stations throughout the terminal. Our building materials are also sustainably sourced. For example, we’re recycling concrete and other materials from Terminal 7 to use in the construction of Terminal 6.
“We’re equally excited about our NYC-inspired, world-class concessions program, which will feature 60,000ft2 [5,575m2] of shopping and dining anchored by an 80ft [25m] oculus skylight. It will be truly spectacular.” Among the businesses featured in Terminal 6 are 12 local and diverse businesses hailing from southeast Queens, Harlem, Brooklyn and Long Island. The concessions program is expected to achieve more than 35% participation from companies certified as airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprises (ACDBE) under federal guidelines.
“We have designed the terminal with over 6,000 rooftop solar panels and 30 skylights” Steve Thody, JFK Millennium Partners
Terminal 6 is scheduled to open in phases, beginning with the completion of the arrivals and departures hall and the first five gates in 2026. The second phase, including five additional gates, will open in 2028, completing the terminal.
The new Terminal 6 is a key part of the US$19bn redevelopment of JFK, which also includes a US$9.5bn New Terminal One anchoring the south side of the airport; the US$1.5bn expansion of Terminal 4, and US$400m modernization of Terminal 8; and an entirely new, simplified airport roadway network. The entire airport redevelopment includes US$15bn in private investment for terminals and US$3.9bn in port authority funding for roadway and infrastructure improvements.
BRISBANE AIRPORT, AUSTRALIA
Domestic Terminal upgrade
The security upgrade project at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal is scheduled for completion by Christmas 2025. To make way for all the construction work, the airport opened its new temporary security screening points and check-in and bag drop locations in October 2024. It also set up a testing laboratory for the new equipment, to train staff before the project is completed at the end of 2025. According to BNE, it is the only testing lab of its type in Australia.
“We want to make the passenger flow as seamless and intuitive as possible throughout the transformation project,” says the airport’s CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff. “The domestic terminal project is a challenging one. We have very old infrastructure to deal with. It was built in 1988 for seven million passengers. Today, we see about 90 million travelers come through the terminal, so we’re quite spatially constrained.” For this reason, construction is also underway on a new multistory parking garage adjacent to the Domestic Terminal to provide 1,700 additional spaces to meet growing demand.
THE AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION MARKET IS SET TO GROW TO US$1,855BN BY 2033 SPHERICAL INSIGHTS
Driven by the need to meet the Australian government’s updated security screening equipment standards by the end of 2025, the project will construct a mezzanine level in the center of the terminal to house new next-generation CT security screening equipment. This technology will enable passengers to keep electronics in their bags and will improve the accuracy of screening. The final product will also feature self check-in and automated bag drop. Passengers with carry-on luggage only will have direct entry into the new mezzanine level from the Skywalk, and a simpler screening process.
“While the most significant change to the Domestic Terminal will be the new mezzanine level and new central security checkpoint, the interior of our domestic terminal will also change completely,” continues de Graaff. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase Queensland, so a lot of our interiors have been inspired by local landscapes. We’ve opted for things like a custom carpet that has the texture and look of sand. We’ve also sourced local hardwood timbers like spotted gum, and locally recycled materials for bench tops and table tops.”
“The interior of our domestic terminal will also change completely” Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport
Future facing
This Domestic Terminal project will form part of Brisbane Airport’s A$5bn (US$3.4bn) Future BNE program over the coming decade. The program also includes upgrades to the International Terminal, construction of Terminal 3, and extensive commercial, retail and industrial projects across the precinct. Like the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal’s security screening and passport control area will relocate from the windowless center of the building on Level 3 to the light-filled atrium on Level 4. Construction should conclude in 2027.
The same technology is being installed in the Domestic Terminal and is part of the single largest airport deployment of Rapiscan Systems equipment in Australia and Southeast Asia and one of the largest globally. It includes 33 Rapiscan 920CT cabin baggage screening units; 10 Rapiscan RTT110 checked baggage and oversize screening units; and 41 Rapiscan 4DX explosive trace detection units. The project will also deploy 33 Rohde & Schwarz Quick Personnel Security body scanners.
“In addition to aeronautical investments, we have about 500ha of land available for commercial development,” adds de Graaff. “We are focusing on developing our industrial precincts, particularly for logistics businesses. With a growing population and increasing demand for imports and exports, air freight is becoming more important, and we have land available for these developments.
Brisbane Airport’s duty-free area is set to nearly double in size. As part of a renewed 10-year partnership with Lotte Duty Free, the expansion project will focus on local brands as well as sustainability. Other sustainability features of the project include electric charging stations for ground support equipment (GSE), such as pushback tugs, belt loaders, cargo loaders and baggage tugs used to service aircraft at the terminal.
De Graaff explains, “During the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, Brisbane Airport will play a highly important role as both the first hello and last goodbye for those attending and participating in the international games. We know from the International Olympic Committee’s point of view, they want 2032 to be a climate-positive event. However, to be very honest with you, the sustainability decisions we are taking today are about delivering changes now and for decades into the future, well beyond the games. These are decisions that we would be taking regardless to protect Australia’s breathtaking biodiversity, including one of the seven wonders of the natural world, The Great Barrier Reef.”
DELHI AIRPORT, INDIA
New Terminal 1
The new Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport officially opened and became operational in August 2024. Developed as part of the Phase 3A expansion project by the airport’s operating company, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the project consolidated the Arrival and Departure terminals to increase the terminal’s area from 55,740m2 to 206,950m2.
“Terminal 1 enhances capacity and redefines the passenger experience while embracing sustainability,” says Indana Prabhakara Rao, deputy managing director of airport operator GMR Group. “The expanded integrated terminal, a marvel of innovation and aesthetics, will serve 40 million passengers annually, double its previous capacity. This project is about India’s aspirations, and positions the national capital as a gateway to New India, connecting us more closely to the world and boosting our economic prospects. It creates jobs, fosters innovation and paves the way for a brighter future for our nation.”
Passenger-centric design
To handle this larger number of travelers, the terminal has invested heavily in its passenger processing technologies. It now features India’s facial recognition system DigiYatra at all entry gates. Five check-in islands host 108 CUSS terminals with 36 self baggage-drop (SBD) kiosks. Furthermore, 20 automated tray retrieval systems (ATRS) are supported by individual carrier systems (ICS) and 10 70m-long baggage reclaim carousels. These carousels have enabled the BHS to increase its handling capacity from 3,240 to 6,000 bags per hour.
Inside the terminal, passengers can experience the upgraded shop-and-dine area, a prayer room, yoga area, quiet zone, group seating, laptop charging stations, mobile charging stations, self-medication room, baby care rooms and smart washrooms. DIAL has also created tailored curbside lounge facilities for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM), with elevated seating, phones to call for special assistance, and a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower service.
Sustainable record-breaking
Upon opening the terminal, Delhi Airport became the world’s only airport in the above 40 million passenger per annum category to receive Level 5 certification in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program. As a result, it has officially become a net zero carbon emission airport, ahead of its 2030 target.
Designed in adherence to USGBC LEED Platinum standards, T1 incorporates features like daylighting concepts and energy-efficient systems. The Phase 3A expansion project also involved construction of a new 4.43km Code F runway (11L/29R), parallel to the third runway on the Southern Airfield. This runway not only provides improved operational flexibility by reducing taxiing time and CO2 emissions but also makes Delhi Airport the only Indian airport to have four operational runways.
“The expanded integrated terminal … will serve 40 million passengers annually” Indana Prabhakara Rao, GMR
“The Delhi Airport Phase 3A Expansion project, a monumental undertaking driven by GMR Airports Infrastructure-led DIAL, is more than bricks and mortar,” Rao comments. “It’s a testament to our nation’s ambition and a catalyst for its continued growth. As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember that this is just the beginning.”
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