An estimated 45 million flights carrying 4.5 billion passengers flew across the world last year. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that the number of passengers will increase from 2.3 billion in 2016 to 7.2 billion in 2035 —an impressive jump of approximately 213 percent. Asia, according to National Geographic, will surpass the U.S. as the largest aviation market in the world by 2024. With this movement in the future of airline industry, what does it mean for the millions of global travelers? Bold Business explored The Future Evolution of Airports in 2018. It’s time for an update!
Airport Infrastructure: A Portal to the Future
To satisfy our curiosity, we looked at the top 10 best airports in the world. The 2019 World Airport Awards took place at ExCel London on March 27, 2019. Singapore Changi Airport is on the top spot followed by Tokyo Haneda, Incheon International, Hamad International, Hong Kong International, Chūbu Centrair International, Munich, London Heathrow, Narita International, and finally, Zurich on the tenth spot.
In examing the designs of some airports under construction, a few stood out. One was the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airport will open in 2023, and it promises whole-day access to sunlight and moonlight executed by the Kaan Architechten’s latticework. Another is the Marseille Provence Airport, which will open in 2022 and will be future proofing developments through 2046. The design aims to embody Provence with trees and natural skylight sweeping throughout the entire building.
Man-made canyons, waterfalls and five-story indoor gardens are only some of the features that the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore will welcome us with this 2019. In fact, Changi now has the tallest indoor waterfall included in its blueprint.
Another airport in Beijing, the Daxing International Airport, will focus on reducing the walking time between gates. The six-pier radial design will make way for the 100 million passengers predicted to go through the airport in 2025. Also, picturesque Kutaisi will open its doors to travelers this year with relaxation spaces that highlight the Caucasus mountains. Kutaisi first opened its airport in 2012. It is now aiming to create a ‘pleasant and joyful’ experience that will be executed by an Amsterdam-based firm.
Aircraft of the Future: Time for Take-off Yet?
We’re dreaming and predicting what the future aircraft will look like. Leonardo—an Italian helicopter manufacturer—ACLA Studio, Embraer and Space Launcher Systems Analysis (SART) are all getting busy designing our future aircraft and redefining the future of the airline industry.
Different technologies will coexist in the future of the airline industry, and there’s no doubt about that. Airplanes of the future are going electric, which means noise will significantly be lower. Going electric will also be financially wise, especially for short-haul flights. Leonardo is gearing up to launch AW609, a civilian model.
Without question, the future of the airline industry is unfolding. Businesses investing in aviation industry growth will determine how fast we’ll get there.
