Airport News.

More travelers turn to luggage-delivery services. Some travelers are willing to pay delivery companies to pick up, ship and deliver their luggage. These companies say crowded airports and planes will help their businesses grow. The cost of the service depends on the weight of the bags, the destination and when they are picked up. Feb 21, 2006

Airlines turn to automation. Some travelers book their tickets and check in at the airport without dealing with a customer service representative. Airlines are frequently relying on automated systems to do jobs people once did. Some fliers praise the changes, while others say customer service is growing impersonal. Feb 20, 2006

Cincinnati Airport Fares increase at Delta's Cincinnati hub. Higher fuel prices are increasing airfares from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to key major markets. Fares at Cincinnati are climbing faster than fares at two other regional airports, according to an analysis by The Cincinnati Enquirer. Delta Air Lines operates its second-largest hub at Cincinnati and in August 2004 introduced its SimpliFares pricing structure, which The Enquirer analysis indicates may be eroding. Feb 21, 2006

Dallas Love Field Airport Dallas Council raises landing fees at Love Field. The Dallas City Council voted to raise landing fees at Dallas Love Field from 35 cents per 1,000 pounds to 55 cents per 1,000 pounds. The higher fees will create $951,597 in extra revenue each year. The council hopes the higher fees will cover the airport's deficit. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines said they believe the increase is fair.

Feb 23, 2006

Dallas Love Field Airport American doubts it will make profit at Love Field, executive says. It is unlikely that American Airlines will make money flying from Dallas Love Field, American Vice President David Cush said. The airline on Monday unveiled three gates at Love Field that they will start flying from next month. Feb 21, 2006

Madrid Barajas airport Madrid Barajas Airport's new Terminal 4, opened by King Juan Carlos just a couple of weeks ago, is stunning. It sets standards which even T5 at Heathrow will have difficulty in beating. The trouble is that the superb Richard Rogers building lacks a few things, including TV, and perhaps more important, comprehensive signage. If you are arriving on an international flight and have an onward connection, don't make the mistake of going through passport control. There is a transit system called Dali, but it is difficult to find and there are no TVs. All in all, nice new terminal, but needs more work. http://www.madrid-mad.com Feb 26, 2006

Miami International Airport Auditor examines high fees at Miami airport. High costs at Miami International Airport have prompted an auditor to investigate the amount Miami-Dade County bills the airport each year. The airport is expected to pay the county $31.4 million this year. Feb 23, 2006

New York Stewart International Airport 

Small airports change names to boost visibility. Small U.S. airports are giving themselves new names to boost their profiles. For example, Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., recently changed its name to New York Hudson Valley International Airport. Feb 23, 2006

Orlando Executive airport 

Orlando Executive Airport may get customs office. Orlando Executive Airport may establish a customs office. Currently, private jets that want to travel in and out of the U.S. must stop at Orlando International or Orlando Sanford International airports. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is building about 1,600 square feet of space for a customs facility at the Executive Airport, but the airport has not yet received federal approval for the new Customs and Border Protection office. Feb 23, 2006

Paris Airport

Star Alliance member carriers at Paris CDG Terminal 1 have begun moving into new check-in Hall 4, the alliance announced last week. Thai Airways and bmi already are using the new Star Alliance facilities and Adria Airways, ANA, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa and SAS Scandinavian Airlines will relocate by the end of the month. There are 24 check-in desks currently available. Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Varig will start making use of the new facilities in 2008 once additional areas of the terminal are refurbished. Star Alliance-branded self-service check-in units will become available in March to customers of select alliance carriers. Feb 20, 2006

Singapore Changi Airport 

Singapore's Changi airport's Terminal 2 has been undergoing a $200 million upgrade, Long said. When T2 is completed, renovation work will begin on T1. A third terminal estimated to cost $1.7 billion is under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2008. Last year Changi served 32.4 million passengers. Feb 23, 2006

Singapore's Changi airport is preparing to open in March its $45 million Budget Terminal that will cater to low-cost carriers. The new terminal is a sharp contrast to the lush interiors of T1 and T2, instead featuring a functional no-frills utilitarian design that reduces passenger and operating fees. Officials are expecting significant growth by LCCs that now account for only 10% of the airport's passenger flights. Feb 23, 2006

Changi poised for first A380 flight, opening of new low-cost terminal. The first Singapore Airlines A380 won't land at Changi until at least November, but the airport is more than ready to receive it. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which manages Singapore[sup.1]s Changi airport, has invested some S$60 million ($36.8 million) to prepare for operations with expanded passenger holding areas at 19 gates, widened runway shoulders and bi-level boarding bridges designed by Japanese firm Shinmaywa to accommodate the upper deck of the A380. The flights will be serviced with three boarding bridges. Feb 23, 2006

Singapore[sup.1]s Changi airport sets a goal of moving baggage to the carousels for pickup in under 29 min. for widebodies and 12 min. on average for other aircraft, Long explained. The airport is still working on a baggage-handling target for the A380, having extended the carousels to accommodate the 500-plus passengers that will arrive en masse on a single flight. Feb 23, 2006

In addition to SIA, both FedEx and UPS have indicated they will operate A380 freighters at Singapore[sup.1]s Changi airport, which has constructed two new freighter stands to accommodate the larger aircraft. Feb 23, 2006

Washington Dulles Airport

Dulles secures federal funds for fourth runway. Washington Dulles International Airport will receive $200 million in federal funds for a fourth runway. The government will provide the funding over 11 years. "This airport is growing too fast to just tinker around the edges," Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. "If Dulles is to continue to thrive, we must make sure that it can handle more aircraft in a safe, efficient and reliable manor." Feb 22, 2006

Washington Dulles Airport

Washington Dulles received a $200 million pledge yesterday from the US Dept. of Transportation to help build a fourth runway. The funding will be provided over the next 11 years. The airport's third north-south runway will be completed in 2008, costing $356 million, and will allow Dulles to handle up to 50% more flights per hour "during the right conditions," DOT said. Passenger throughput has increased from 12 million in 1996 to more than 27 million in 2005. Feb 22, 2006