{"id":19839,"date":"2025-07-14T17:29:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T21:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/?p=19839"},"modified":"2025-09-12T09:29:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T13:29:20","slug":"meeting-a-moving-target-upgrading-for-the-next-generation-of-air-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/meeting-a-moving-target-upgrading-for-the-next-generation-of-air-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting a moving target: Upgrading for the next generation of air travel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Felipe Fraser<\/em> <\/strong>specializes in infrastructure development, including finance, operations, commercial management, design and planning within the aviation industry. A former chief executive officer at APORT S.A., Zurich Airport\u2019s Latin American branch, Felipe joined AECOM in June 2024 as an aviation program manager in the New York Metro, leveraging his 25 years\u2019 experience with projects across the North and South America<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Amoia joined AECOM in May 2024 as vice president and senior transportation program manager in the New York Metro. Previously serving as the director of major capital projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Thomas brings more than 30 years of construction experience on multi-billion-dollar capital programs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A former program director for Delta Air Lines\u2019 JFK redevelopment, George Guillaume joined AECOM’s New York Metro team in October 2024. He now applies his 20-plus years of aviation industry experience as senior aviation director and program manager serving airports in New York and New Jersey.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air travel is booming. Global air passenger traffic is expected to double over the next 30 years, reaching about nine billion travelers annually by 2055. This is a pivotal moment to modernize airport infrastructure to meet growing needs and ensure long-term efficiency.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth is complicated \u2014 and expensive. Upgrading airports presents major challenges for agencies, developers, airlines and constructors. We understand the complexities of airport modernization and apply our expertise in strategic financing, construction and dedication to the customer experience to create airport terminal designs that are shaping aviation\u2019s future.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Propelling progress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that U.S. airports will need more than $150 billion in infrastructure investments over the next five years. To meet this demand, agencies are turning to public-private partnerships (P3s) as financing models. In a P3, private investors finance, develop and may also operate the project under a long-term lease before returning it to the public agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P3 developers navigate financing complexities, revenue development, airline coordination and construction oversight. Developed by JFK Millenium Partners, <\/strong>the new 1.3-million-square-foot, 10-gate Terminal 6 at New York City\u2019s JFK International Airport \u2014 where we serve as design-builder \u2014 is a prime example of a P3 in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK Millenium Partners secured private investment that established funding for Terminal 6 in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), the agency\/owner. Initial coordination between the developers and airlines resulted in a tailored design that optimized gate configurations and devised services that meet traveler and operational needs. Early airline commitments and long-term commercial strategies established reliable revenue and financial viability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AECOM’s portfolio spans the entire PANYNJ network, reimagining terminal experiences across all the agency\u2019s airports. Our aviation team delivered on-site construction management services for Delta Air Line\u2019s Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and provided program and project management support services for LGA\u2019s redevelopment program. We also provided program management for Newark Liberty International Airport\u2019s recently completed Terminal A. And as part of a design-build team, we\u2019ve completed critical airside infrastructure work such as Teterboro Airport\u2019s air traffic control tower. In short, our aviation teams work collaboratively across all phases of development, design and construction to deliver spaces that move people efficiently and with purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201cCombining developers\u2019 visions with airline insights provides for new world class infrastructure,\u201d Felipe explains. \u201cOur work across the metropolitan area\u2019s airports is an excellent example of this, and is hugely beneficial for passengers, developers, airports and airlines.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Experienced developers are the heart of a top-tier terminal, working closely with airports, airlines, designers and builders to provide financial stability, oversee construction and coordinate with airport owners to create lasting success. (JFK International Airport Terminal 6)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Faster, smarter construction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many developers are turning to alternative delivery methods such as design-build, progressive design-build and construction manager at risk (CMAR) to maximize capital efficiency. Early collaboration, inherent in alternative delivery projects, offers greater control over budget, schedule and risk, resolving issues before construction begins and reducing delays \u2014 key advantages for complex operational sites like airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our deep experience with alternative delivery has supported the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) since 2005, advancing major capital programs at San Diego International Airport (SAN). Under a PMCM contract, we helped develop procurement strategies, structure contracts and coordinate phased work to maintain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2013, through the CMAR model and phased construction, SDCRAA delivered the 526,000-square-foot, 10-gate Terminal West expansion at SAN early and under budget. That same approach now guides the 1.2 million-square-foot, 30-gate Terminal 1 Replacement Program. With 19 gates opening in fall 2025, travelers are already benefiting from improved amenities and a more seamless airport journey \u2014 part of SDCRAA\u2019s commitment to improving the travel experience while modernizing critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201cIn the end, it\u2019s about making travel easier and more comfortable,\u201d says Thomas. \u201cAs a constructor, I know how phased construction helps us keep the airport running and deliver improvements without affecting the journey.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Efficiency takes off when designers and builders collaborate early. Balancing cost and managing risk streamlines and accelerates terminal construction, delivering modern amenities that vastly improve the passenger experience. (San Diego International Airport Terminal West Expansion)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From “worst” to first<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LaGuardia Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once infamous for outdated terminals, LGA\u2019s $8 billion redevelopment \u2014 the first complete rebuild of a U.S. airport in over 25 years \u2014 is setting a new standard for efficiency, comfort and innovation. LGA\u2019s Terminal B received UNESCO\u2019s Prix Versailles as the world\u2019s best new terminal in 2021, and since then the airport\u2019s reputation as a world-class travel hub has continued to grow. Skytrax, a leading international airport rating organization, named Terminal B as the world\u2019s best terminal in 2023 and awarded it five stars, a first for a North American airport terminal. And in 2025 Skytrax proclaimed LGA to be North America\u2019s best airport for domestic and short-haul international travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our team provided program and project management support services for the centerpiece of this 10-year airport program, replacing LGA\u2019s outdated, 50-year-old Central Terminal Building. Our work included overseeing major upgrades to roads, bridges and utilities through the capital infrastructure program and contributing to the runway safety enhancement program, which extended and strengthened key runway sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resulting 1.2 million-square-foot, 35-gate Terminal B \u2014 developed with extensive airline input \u2014 provides modern amenities and addresses specific operational needs. Outdated systems gave way to technologies like biometric screening to improve the traveler experience. Expanded lounges, larger gate areas, and broadened dining and shopping options prioritized customer comfort. An updated runway layout advanced airline operations and minimized pushback delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While working closely with the PANYNJ and its public-private partner LaGuardia Gateway Partners on Terminal B, we also coordinated with the Delta Air Lines team leading the redevelopment of terminals C and D to ensure smooth collaboration where infrastructure and operations intersected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201cConsistent, reliable terminals elevate airlines\u2019 brands, ultimately turning the airport into travelers\u2019 port of choice,\u201d says George. \u201cThrough my decades of experience working with airlines, including leading the redevelopment of Delta\u2019s terminals here at JFK, I understand the importance of their insight and how it goes a long way toward successful modernization.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Great terminals are built around two things: what airlines need and what passengers want. When we align both, we unlock world-class travel experiences. (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A talent trifecta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a long record of expertise, our AECOM team brings unique insights, skills and capabilities to airport redevelopment across the U.S. and around the world.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201cWith Felipe\u2019s deep understanding of development and P3s, Thomas\u2019 agency construction knowledge and my involvement with the airlines, you have a trifecta of talent,\u201d George says. \u201cAdd that to AECOM\u2019s long history of delivering on these complex challenges for airports around the world, and you have a full suite of exceptional experience driving aviation modernization projects toward success.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Upgrading airports presents major challenges for agencies, developers, airlines and constructors. We understand the complexities of airport modernization and apply our expertise in strategic financing, construction and dedication to the customer experience to create airport terminal designs that are shaping aviation\u2019s future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1041,"featured_media":19840,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4345,168,162],"tags":[5759,4346,6634,1955,5190,6564],"yst_prominent_words":[498,695,2863],"class_list":["post-19839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aviation","category-design-planning","category-transportation","tag-airports","tag-aviation","tag-aviation-for-a-changing-world","tag-design","tag-design-build","tag-new-york-metro"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1041"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19839"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20311,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839\/revisions\/20311"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19839"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=19839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}