Latest news with #airportdesign
Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Sydney's New Airport Is a Stunning Ode to Australia's Natural Wonders
In 2026, Australia will open the doors to a newly built international airport for the first time in over 50 years—and it's so stunning you might actually want to spend hours in the terminal. Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), slated to debut next year, has just reached its most important milestone yet: Major construction on the terminal is now complete, and its designers have unveiled a first look at the airport's beautiful interior. WSI is located in Sydney's Badgerys Creek neighborhood, approximately a 35-minute drive west from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), Australia's busiest air travel hub. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and COX Architecture and constructed by Woods Bagot, Multiplex, and Bechtel, the $5.3 billion project aims to pay homage to Australia's natural wonders while also providing an innovative passenger experience. 'The ambition was to create an airport that is not just a transit space but a destination in itself,' Neil Hill, Wood Bagot's principal design lead for WSI, said. "The terminal offers a constantly evolving visual experience and sense of joy as passengers move through the space and experience the intricate detail at a human scale—while elsewhere you might find yourself in a soaring triple-height void with uncluttered panoramic views.' The airport has one terminal that will be home to both international and domestic gates, allowing for easier connections. Brett Boardman When it opens, Western Sydney Airport will operate 24 hours a day. The single building will be home to airlines like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand, with both the international and domestic gates located in one terminal for easier connections. Airports are notoriously known as incubators of stress, but WSI hopes new technology will help eliminate major pain points. For example, travelers will be able to track their checked luggage with a dedicated app thanks to a cutting-edge baggage handling system. The terminal's designers also sought to create a visually soothing space by taking architectural cues from nature. Most noteworthy is the undulating sculptural ceiling made of wooden slats that filter light in a way that mimics sunlight shining through eucalyptus bark, a hallmark of the region's UNESCO-recognized Blue Mountains Area. 'The 'Great Australian Light' is one of the defining qualities of the Australian experience, and it has been central to our design thinking,' David Holm, principal and design lead at COX, said. 'The way light filters through the terminal shapes how people move, orient and feel—creating a sense of calm, clarity and connection. For many, this space marks their very first encounter with Australia, and we wanted that experience to feel unmistakably grounded in place.' References to the region's natural wonders can also be found in the terminal's sprawling horizontal form, which is meant to reflect the nearby Cumberland Plain. Designers also worked to bring the outdoors to the terminal's interior by incorporating natural materials from the region, like sandstone sourced from Australia's Central Coast. The undulating ceiling is made of wooden slats designed to mimic the 'Great Australian Light,' imbuing the terminal with a sense of place. Trevor Mein Additional design elements include triple-height ceilings and walls of windows offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, as well as details that highlight Australia's Aboriginal and First Nations cultures. In fact, the design was finalized in consultation with Western Sydney's Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation. "People will love spending time in this terminal as they enjoy the iconic vistas of the surrounding Blue Mountains,' Simon Hickey, CEO of WSI Airport, said. "Visitors will be welcomed by the stories of Dharug country that will connect the world with more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture while also highlighting the vibrant communities of Western Sydney.' From a sustainability perspective, the terminal is outfitted with more than 6,000 solar panels on its roof that will provide renewable electricity to the facility, as well as a climate-responsive facade, natural ventilation, and water recycling. Although the major construction on the terminal is finished, work on interior areas such as the retail shops and airline lounges still needs to be completed. The new facility is on track to open to its first passengers in late 2026. 'This is a rare opportunity to define the next generation of airport design on a global stage,' Cristiano Ceccato, director and design lead for Zaha Hadid Architects, said. 'Together with COX, we created a design that meets the highest standards of architectural innovation, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
One of the world's most beautiful airports is in ‘undiscovered' European country – and it is opening a new terminal
A REMOTE airport in Georgia that has been dubbed as one of the most beautiful, is getting a new terminal. Queen Tamar Airport serves the small ski town of Mestia and a new terminal building has been designed to draw on Georgia's history with a completely unique look. 4 4 Currently, Mestia has one small terminal which looks unlike any other in the world. It's a German designed black and white structure made up of steel and glass bent into an unusual shape which looks like an L from the front. In 2014, the quirky terminal was named one of the 10 most beautiful terminals in the world by the BBC. Now, LSG Solutions has revealed its designs for a second timber terminal for Mestia Airport which is in the Svaneti region. The 2,000-square-metre building will be made from timber and spread across a single story. The layout inside will be open-plan and it will merge the departure and arrival areas. In the centre will be skylights which the company said will have "in-built heated glass" and will allow "natural light to pour into the space." Patterns throughout the terminal will honour Queen Tamar, who reigned during the country's Golden Age in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. At the moment, there are only six flights per week out of Mestia, Georgia. These flights operate between Mestia and Natakhtari (near Tbilisi), and there are two flights per week to Kutaisi. World's biggest island to build three brand new airports – with one opening as soon as this year 4 But the new terminal will open this year and is set to be a game-changer, encouraging more travellers to visit Mestia, the highland townlet in northwest Georgia. In the Svaneti region are ski resorts, hiking trails, and cultural landmarks. One Sun Travel reporter went to Georgia and found a "cheaper and undiscovered part of Europe". On a visit to Tbilisi, the capital, they discovered the ancient Narikala castle, and from there saw the colourful old town and dramatic Soviet-era apartment blocks. It's a very affordable city with rooms costing just £40 per night and you can get a glass of wine for as little as £2.50. There's also a traditional dish called khachapuri that they said "you can't miss". Described as a 'cousin' of pizza, it's a canoe-shaped dough full of melted cheese, topped with an egg. Here's what the world's most travelled man thought of Georgia when he visited the country. The lesser-known European destination with hot springs, cheap wine and underrated food now has new flights to four UK cities.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nominations for Super Terminal Expo Awards 2025 Open from Now until September
Recognising Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence in Shaping Tomorrow's Transportation Hub HONG KONG, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Terminal Expo has announced the second edition of the Super Terminal Expo Awards 2025 – celebrating excellence in airport design, cargo innovation, ground handling, sustainability, and commercial breakthroughs. With six award categories and multiple subcategories, the awards aim to honour airports, terminal operators, and suppliers achieving innovative designs, operational efficiency, and environmental progress. Award Categories: 1. Best Airport Design Reserved for airports that enrich the overall journey for passengers and freight through thoughtful, intelligent design, spotlighting entities that blend aesthetic brilliance with operational excellence. Submissions are divided into three subcategories: Airports serving under 5 million passengers Airports serving 5-20 million passengers Airports serving over 20 million passengers Nominees should showcase: Integration of technology and design: Intelligent terminals and sustainability-driven projects. Adaptive infrastructure: Resilient designs ready for future challenges. User experience excellence: Seamless navigation, comfort, and reduced transfer times. 2. Best Cargo Hub Reserved for cargo hubs that exemplify unrivalled efficiency, innovation, and connectivity, transforming the logistics and freight sector. Submissions are divided into three subcategories: Airports excelling in cargo services Facilities integrating next-gen freight handling methods Rail/port hubs advancing global trade connectivity Nominees should showcase: Operational efficiency: Secure and streamlined movement of goods. Technological innovation: Incorporation of automation and advanced analytics. Global connectivity: Networks and partnerships driving international commerce. 3. Best Ground Handler Celebrates the ground handling entity that significantly elevate the efficiency, safety, and overall experience of airport operations for airlines, passengers, and cargo. Nominees should showcase: Optimised operations: Faster turnaround times and resourceful management. Customer satisfaction: Positive feedback through exceptional service. Technological advancement: Use of tools to improve sustainability and streamline communication. 4. Best Terminal Innovation Honours the most groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of terminals, celebrating ventures that tackle critical challenges, redefine industry standards, and demonstrate exceptional potential for positive impact. Submissions are divided into two subcategories: Airport innovations improving efficiency Vendor solutions delivering transformative tools Nominees should showcase: Technological progress: Innovations such as AI, robotics, or automation. Quantifiable results: Measurable improvements to industry norms. Scalability: The ability for solutions to be deployed on a large scale. 5. Best Sustainable Initiative Honouring the airport and vendor that leads by example in environmental stewardship, this category spotlights initiatives and/or solutions that significantly reduce the airport's environmental impact, promote sustainability, and contribute to the global effort against climate change. Submissions are divided into two subcategories: Airport sustainability programmes Vendor solutions driving eco-friendly aviation Nominees should showcase: Innovative practices: Reductions in environmental impact, backed by data. Compliance: Alignment with international sustainability standards. Community impact: Contributions to ecosystem health and social development. 6. Best Commercial Innovation Honouring the non-aeronautical vendor that redefines the commercial landscape through groundbreaking concepts, technologies, or services. Nominees should showcase: Enhanced offerings: Improved retail, amenities, or customer-centric facilities. Customer experience: Boosted satisfaction and well-being for airport users. Financial impact: Increased revenue or operational efficiency. Submit Your Nominations Today Nominations are open now until 14 September 2025. Whether you're working on advancing airport cities, optimising freight logistics, or championing sustainability, this is your opportunity to gain recognition. Finalists will be announced in October, with winners announced during the Super Terminal Expo Gala Dinner & Awards on 4 November 2025. The panel of judges for this year's awards will be announced soon. Visit to submit your nominations today! For further details, visit or email awards@ About Super Terminal Expo Super Terminal Expo is a three-day event held on November 4 - 6, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. It focuses on intermodal terminal design & development, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities in intermodal transportation hubs, with a focus on airports. Expecting more than 4,000 attendees, the event offers a comprehensive platform encompassing a dynamic exhibition showcasing the latest innovations from more than 120+ exhibitors and brands, an insightful conference featuring expert presentations and thought leadership, interactive airport dialogues fostering in-depth discussions, and a prestigious awards ceremony recognising industry excellence. Attendees will also benefit from valuable networking opportunities to connect with peers and leaders, and gain exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of Hong Kong International Airport. Co-location with GAD AsiaFor airport planners, operators, investors, and government reps, the co-location of GAD Asia at Super Terminal Expo in Hong Kong offers a prime opportunity. GAD Asia unites airport finance, management, and strategy leaders. This synergy provides a 360-degree view of future airport hubs, connecting you with global development stakeholders to identify investments and best practices for Asia's next-gen airport infrastructure, integrated within the broader intermodal transport landscape. About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit View original content: SOURCE Super Terminal Expo Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
