Airports: Lounge access, Developments, Expansions & Travel News

New Delhi, India: A new report by Knight Frank, forecasts a remarkable rise of almost 50% in India’s annual air passenger traffic over the next five years. Passenger numbers are projected to escalate from 412 million in FY25 to 600 million by FY30. According to the report, this substantial jump will drive a sharp increase in aeronautical revenues, driven by both higher passenger counts and enhanced spending per traveler. A major highlight of the analysis involves non-aeronautical revenue streams which include retail, food and beverage, duty-free shopping, parking, advertising, and real estate leasing. Airports operating under the public–private partnership (PPP) model are pivotal: while they handle 64% of India’s total air traffic, they generate a dominant 87% of the nation’s non-aero revenue. The report also spotlights the performance of India’s busiest airports, Mumbai Airport earns approximately USD 20.1 per passenger from non-aero sources. Delhi Airport closely trails with about USD 18.1 per passenger. These numbers are impressively close to global aviation giants like London Heathrow (USD 21.6) and Tokyo Haneda (USD 19.9). Knight Frank's analysis emphasizes that India’s airports are now at a strategic crossroads. With passenger volumes expected to soar to 600 million by FY30, financial sustainability will increasingly depend on diverse revenue models. The report urges airport developers and operators to move beyond traditional infrastructure approaches and adopt the concept of aerocities integrated commercial hubs encompassing retail, hospitality, leasing, and other services turning airports into urban growth engines, not just transit points. The projected surge in air travel offers both significant opportunities and challenges. Operators must balance capacity expansion with revenue diversification to ensure long-term resilience as passenger numbers climb.

Airports

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Expected to Reach 600M Annually by FY30, Says Report

New Delhi, India: A new report by Knight Frank, forecasts a remarkable rise of almost 50% in India’s annual air

September 5, 2025 No Comments

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), in collaboration with the Dubai Police General Command, has launched the Digital Security Screener Licensing System across Dubai airports. This initiative aims to elevate aviation security by certifying security personnel through advanced digital processes, ensuring compliance with both national and international standards. The system reflects the commitment of both entities to developing competencies and ensuring the sustainability of aviation security. The launch ceremony was attended by prominent officials, including H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the DCAA, and H.E. Major General Harib Al Shamsi, Acting Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. The event underscored the commitment of both entities to strengthening aviation security through institutional collaboration. H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi emphasized that the new system reflects Dubai's dedication to integrating smart technologies and modernizing security protocols. He noted that the initiative supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, aiming to enhance the emirate's position as a global aviation hub. The Digital Security Screener Licensing System introduces advanced digital processes for certifying airport security personnel. This modernization ensures compliance with stringent aviation security standards, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Officials highlighted that the system's implementation aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and reinforces international confidence in Dubai's aviation safety framework. During the launch, a range of innovative security and technological systems serving Dubai's aviation sector were showcased. These advancements reflect the ongoing efforts to build an integrated ecosystem that aligns with the Government of Dubai's vision to enhance safety and security, further solidifying the emirate's status as a leading global aviation hub. This development is part of Dubai's broader efforts to innovate in airport security, complementing other technological advancements such as the AI-powered passenger corridor at Dubai International Airport, which allows travelers to pass through immigration without showing their passports.

Airports

Dubai Launches Digital Licensing System to Modernize Airport Security and Screening

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), in collaboration with the Dubai Police General Command, has launched

September 1, 2025 No Comments

Poland, Europe: Poland’s Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) , one of Europe’s most ambitious transport infrastructure projects, has reached a major milestone with the official approval of its passenger terminal design, moving the €30–32.5 billion development closer to construction. The government-backed mega hub is projected to handle up to 44 million passengers annually by 2032, with integrated high-speed rail links designed to transform regional and international connectivity. According to the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny company, the terminal and underground railway station design, developed by Foster + Partners and Buro Happold, has been formally handed over and accepted. The documentation is now being prepared for submission to regional authorities to obtain building permits. The facility will span approximately 450,000 square meters, making it nearly three times the size of Warsaw Chopin Airport’s terminal. The three-level terminal layout will place check-in facilities and Schengen departures on the top level (+2), non-Schengen arrivals and transfer areas on level +1, and baggage reclaim alongside bus connections on the ground level. Initial capacity is set at 34 million passengers per year, with expansion potential to 44 million. The design also includes up to 67 aircraft stands, 140 check-in desks, and the ability to process up to 11,000 passengers per hour. The construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, starting with deep foundation works. The underground railway station and connecting tunnel are targeted for completion by 2029, with the entire airport planned to become operational by the end of 2032. A general contractor tender is currently open, while other tenders including for the baggage handling system are already in progress. The company anticipates awarding contracts worth nearly PLN 30 billion by the end of 2025. With an estimated total cost exceeding €30 billion, CPK is positioned as a direct competitor to hubs such as London Heathrow and Dubai International. The mega hub will integrate aviation, high-speed rail, and road networks, with almost 2,000 kilometers of new high-speed lines planned. These will link major Polish cities and connect to the EU’s TEN-T corridors, including the strategic Rail Baltica route to the Baltic states. The Polish government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed in June 2024 that the CPK project would proceed, albeit with adjustments to ensure it complements rather than entirely replaces existing airports in Warsaw. Speaking to Reuters, Tusk said the plan reflects both the scale of Poland’s economic ambitions and the need for integrated transport solutions.

Airports

Europe’s Mega Hub Poland Advances CPK Airport to Handle 44M Passengers a Year by 2032

Warsaw, Poland: Poland’s Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) , one of Europe’s most ambitious transport infrastructure projects, has reached a major

August 12, 2025 No Comments

Airports

BCAS Issues Security Alert for Airports in India Warning of Possible Terror Threat

New Delhi, India: All airports across India have been placed on high alert following a directive issued by the Bureau

August 7, 2025 No Comments

Airports

DXB Breaks Traffic Records With 46M Passengers, Service Times Beat Global Benchmarks

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Airports has announced that 46 million guests passed through Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the

August 2, 2025 No Comments

London, UK: A radar-related technical fault in the United Kingdom’s air traffic control system triggered widespread disruption across major airports on Wednesday evening, grounding dozens of flights and delaying hundreds more. The outage, which began around 4:05 p.m. BST at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) Swanwick control centre, forced controllers to switch to a backup system, cutting the nation’s air traffic capacity for several hours. Although the backup system was restored within 20 minutes, the immediate effect was severe: departures and arrivals were throttled down from a standard rate of roughly 45 flights per hour to just 32. The reduced throughput created a cascading backlog that extended well into the night. According to The Independent, 84 outbound and 71 inbound services were cancelled by late evening, amounting to at least 155 total cancellations across UK airports. Heathrow experienced the most severe disruption, with 29 departures and 17 arrivals cancelled. Other hubs, including Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London City, also reported extensive delays. NATS confirmed that all systems are now fully operational and air traffic capacity is returning to normal. However, the agency warned that delays would persist while airlines reposition aircraft and crews. The incident has prompted strong criticism from airline operators. Ryanair called the outage “inexcusable” and demanded the resignation of NATS Chief Executive Martin Rolfe, while easyJet described the repeated infrastructure failures as “unacceptable for passengers and carriers alike.” Both airlines pointed to a similar outage in August 2023 that disrupted thousands of flights. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander urged passengers to check directly with their airlines for updated travel information and confirmed that the government is assessing the event. “We are reviewing the causes and immediate response to ensure lessons are learned and future resilience is strengthened,” she said. Political pressure is also building, with opposition parties and industry groups calling for an independent review of the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure. While flights have now resumed normal scheduling, officials cautioned that residual delays may continue into Thursday as airlines work through stranded passengers and repositioning requirements.

Airports

UK Air Traffic Control Glitch Cancels over 150 Flights, Airlines Slam NATS On Failures

London, UK: A radar-related technical fault in the United Kingdom’s air traffic control system triggered widespread disruption across major airports

July 31, 2025 No Comments

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Airports

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Expected to Reach 600M Annually by FY30, Says Report

Dubai Launches Digital Licensing System to Modernize Airport Security and Screening

Europe’s Mega Hub Poland Advances CPK Airport to Handle 44M Passengers a Year by 2032

BCAS Issues Security Alert for Airports in India Warning of Possible Terror Threat

DXB Breaks Traffic Records With 46M Passengers, Service Times Beat Global Benchmarks

UK Air Traffic Control Glitch Cancels over 150 Flights, Airlines Slam NATS On Failures

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