Latest news with #passengerexperience
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Cluster2, Airbus to advance smart airport operations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia - Cluster2 Airports Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus during the 2025 Paris Air Show, which aims to introduce advanced smart technologies led by the Airbus Agnet Turnaround platform—an innovative solution designed to enable real-time coordination of airport field operations, reported SPA. By adopting this platform, Cluster2 seeks to streamline workflows, boost operational efficiency, and enhance passenger experience across its network of 22 international and domestic airports. The MoU also supports broader goals of raising operational standards and enabling seamless collaboration among ground teams, security personnel, and control room operators. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
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.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
One of UK's busiest airports opens brand new £100 million terminal extension
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced the official opening of its new terminal building to the public. From Tuesday, 17 June, all passengers arriving and departing via the airport will get an exclusive first look at the upgraded terminal, as the opening marks the end of the £100 million project's first phase. Passengers will benefit from upgraded terminal facilities, all of which aim to enhance customer service and regional connectivity. This includes a new baggage reclaim area and an upgraded passport control facility with advanced security technology, designed to ensure a 'smoother and more secure journey.' The terminal also brings an impressive 83 per cent increase in seating, offering passengers more space, comfort and clear views of the runway. In addition, passengers will be provided with more variety and choice than ever as the expanded terminal brings in a broader range of food and drink offerings. For a touch of luxury, passengers can now access two premium lounges, including the all-new Six Eight One Premium Lounge, which offers seasonal menus featuring fresh, locally sourced produce, and a relaxing space to unwind before boarding. Work on Phase 2 of the project is already in motion, with a focus on refurbishing the existing terminal to further improve passenger experience and modernise existing terminal infrastructure. Throughout Phase 2, passengers should expect some changes when departing from the airport. Upon arrival at the terminal, passengers will notice scaffolding and hoardings at the front of the area, as well as a relocated Meet & Greet parking area, and new zones for bus pick-up and drop-off. A dedicated webpage on the LBA website will be regularly updated with information throughout the work and can be accessed here. Vincent Hodder, CEO, Leeds Bradford Airport said: 'We are delighted to see our new terminal extension open and operational today. 'It has been an incredible journey to get here, and we know our customers are going to get a completely new experience from LBA from today. 'It's an exciting time for us too; for our employees, stakeholders and business partners, the opening of this building is a huge achievement for all involved.' John Cunliffe, Commercial Director of Leeds Bradford Airport commented: 'Today is a huge milestone for Leeds Bradford Airport. 'Our new terminal is officially open and ready to welcome passengers, offering improve facilities and enabling us to deliver an enhanced experience for passengers in the region. 'As we transition into Phase 2 of the project, the changes will impact the usual passenger flows, and we'd like to thank passengers in advance for their understanding.' Meanwhile, in April, it was announced Luton Airport is set to double its capacity after the government granted permission for its expansion. The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, overruled planning inspectors who recommended rejecting the expansion over environmental concerns. Luton's plans will see its existing terminal expanded and a whole new terminal built as well as new taxiways. The airport is hoping to double its annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043. Currently, about 16.7 million travellers use Luton Airport every year, which is the fourth largest airport in the London area.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
'No food, water': Passengers stuck for 5 hours without AC on Air India Express flight in Dubai
Passengers onboard an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Jaipur were reportedly left stranded inside a grounded aircraft for over five hours without air-conditioning, food, or water, triggering anger and allegations of negligence. Flight IX-196, scheduled to depart from Dubai at 7.25pm on June 13, was unable to take off on time due to a technical snag. But instead of being allowed to deboard, more than 150 passengers were allegedly kept inside the aircraft as cabin temperatures soared. A video of the ordeal, posted by Indian dietician and social media influencer Arzoo Sethi, has since gone viral. In the video, visibly distressed passengers can be seen drenched in sweat, fanning themselves with safety cards and whatever they could find to stay cool. 'We were boarded at 7pm, but the flight's AC never came on. My three-year-old son was soaked in sweat. Not a single attendant came to help us. No one gave us water, let alone food,' Sethi said in her post. 'If the aircraft had a technical fault, they could've let us wait in the terminal. But they chose to lock us inside like this.' Describing the experience as 'horrific' and 'terrifying,' Sethi publicly tagged Air India Express, saying: 'This is a serious safety lapse. Please take responsibility for your passengers' well-being before it's too late.' Another passenger, Ravi Kumar, echoed her concerns. 'There was suffocation. The air-conditioning wasn't working. We kept pressing the call button, but no one came. It felt like torture,' he said. The flight finally took off at 12.44am, over five hours behind schedule and landed in Jaipur at 2.44am on June 14. Several passengers have since taken to social media to express their outrage and demand accountability from the airline. There has been no official response yet from Air India Express. A comment from the airline was not immediately available.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Airlines reduce baggage loss by using new tech, report shows
The number of bags lost by airlines decreased last year because the aviation sector is utilising technological innovations, according to a new report. Aviation technology company Sita said 33.4 million bags were mishandled in 2024, compared with 33.8 million during the previous year. Given the 8.2% increase in passenger numbers, the rate of bags lost fell to 6.3 per 1,000 passengers, down from 6.9 in 2023. This is a 67% drop since 2007. Sita said airports and airlines are handling baggage with 'more precision' by using real-time tracking, AI-powered analytics and self-service systems. The report stated that these advancements are 'no longer experimental, they are becoming standard and they are clearly having an effect'. Sita chief executive David Lavorel said: 'We've seen a radical shift with automation and the widespread use of real-time tracking. ' Passengers now expect their baggage experience to be as easy and transparent as using a rideshare or delivery app. 'It's no longer just about moving bags, it's about delivering a smooth, connected journey. ' Airlines are ready to tap into technology that improves the passenger experience while keeping costs down and being simple to roll out. 'Together with our partners, we're reimagining baggage handling to give passengers full visibility and control from departure to arrival, giving them peace of mind and making travel simpler and better.' Despite the improvement, lost bags cost the aviation industry an estimated five billion US dollars (£4.2 billion) last year from courier returns, customer service, claims handling and lost productivity. Delays remained the most common baggage issue last year, accounting for 74% of mishandling incidents. Of the 33.4 million mishandled bags, some 66% were 'resolved' within 48 hours, the report added.
