Modern air traffic control system could lower airlines' fuel costs. Modernizing the air traffic control system could lower fuel costs for large airlines by reducing the time jets spend on runways, experts told a House panel Wednesday. A modern system could save hundreds of millions of gallons of fuel each year, Air Transport Association Chief Economist John Heimlich said. "The existing air traffic control system was not designed with fuel conservation in mind, nor was it built to accommodate the traffic levels that we face today and into the future," he said. Feb 16, 2006

Traffic shifts away from large U.S. hubs. Some of the largest U.S. airports are suffering as travelers shift from connecting flights to point-to-point service, Wall Street Journal columnist Scott McCartney writes. Some large airports have offered discounts to carriers with hopes of attracting new flights, McCartney reports. Feb 14, 2006

Luxury retailers land in airports. Air travelers spent more than $750 million on goods in stores at 50 airports in 2004, according to Airport Revenue News, and retailers have noticed. Increased travel means a larger captive audience, and many upscale retailers are increasing their airport presence. Feb 14, 2006

Amsterdam Airport

Amsterdam airport visitors this week might like to take a look at the KLM AirCares "Send a Heartfelt Video Message" kiosk located beside the conveyor ramp to Departure Halls 1 and 2. The idea is for visitors to send video messages to family, friends and acquaintances for just E3. The proceeds will be donated to project "Save a Child's Heart", an Israeli organization that provides lifesaving heart surgery for children from developing countries. This sum will then be tripled by three other organizations - KidsRights, the Interchurch Organization for Development (ICCO) and Wilde Ganzen (a Dutch relief group). Each video message raises E9 for "Save a Child's Heart." http://www.saveachildsheart.com Feb 19, 2006

Ferihegy Airport, Budapest

BAA PLC has been quick to publicize good news regarding its recent acquisition Ferihegy Airport, Budapest. Passenger traffic continued its strong growth in January 2006, with passenger numbers up 15% to 520,307 (compared with 452,455 in January 2005). This took the total traffic for the last 12 months to 8.1m, an increase of 23.8% over the previous year. BAA point out that the airport's budget style operators have more than doubled their passenger traffic during the past 12 months. The purchase bid for BAA, reported last week, by Spain's Grupo Ferrovial has attracted considerable interest with easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou amongst those objecting. http://www.baa.com http://www.ferrovial.es Feb 19, 2006

Logan Airport

Concerned about revenue, Logan airport may delay projects. Officials at Boston's Logan International Airport may delay funding for $1 billion in airport projects, including a rental-car facility. Officials are concerned revenue the airport generates from airlines may slow. "We need to be conservative in this day and age," Massport Director of Finance Elizabeth Taylor said, referring to forecasting revenue and passenger growth estimates. Feb 17, 2006

Logan officials criticize carriers for cancellations. Officials at Logan International Airport criticized U.S. airlines for canceling many flights during a blizzard last weekend. Airport officials said all international flights operated without delays and also noted Logan is equipped for service during snowstorms. Most airline officials declined to comment, but some pointed out that domestic and international carriers operate different businesses. A spokesman for American Airlines said the carrier tries to "err on the side of safety." Feb 16, 2006

London Gatwick Airport

London's Gatwick airport has unveiled a new style of airbridge as part of the refurbishment of the airport's Pier 3 (previously known as the Satellite). The new airbridge, the first of its type at any UK airport, has glass walls instead of the traditional enclosed steel walkway. These provide spectacular open vistas of the airport and across the airfield. The process to remove each old bridge and install the new bridge takes only ten days. The first glass airbridge, on Gate 34, is the start of a [pounds sterling]6.2m project to replace 12 similar jetties and will take nine months to complete. http://www.gatwickairport.com Feb 19, 2006

London Stansted Airport

London[sup.1]s Stansted airport could be subject to night delays from this week onwards through to November, as essential runway take place. Busy airports normally undertake runway resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. Stansted's 3,048m runway was last resurfaced in 1990 when the airport was handling 1m passengers per annum. Stansted now serves 22m. The work can only take place at night when operational requirements are at a minimum. On Saturday and Sunday nights the runway will be completely closed to aircraft between midnight and 0600. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights the operational runway length of the runway, will be reduced to allow works to take place at each end of the single strip. If you have a night flight this year from the airport make sure that you check the timings. They could change. http://www.stanstedairport.com Feb 19, 2006