<LI> American Eagle is to build a 13-gate satellite terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth as part of plans to expand regional jet services at American Airlines' largest hub.
<LI> A new IR£40 million ($49 million) departure terminal has been opened at Shannon Airport, with 40 check-in desks, while the arrivals terminal has also undergone a major refurbishment and expansion. The developments will allow the Irish airport to handle 5 million passengers annually, with annual throughput expected to reach 3 million by 2005.
<LI> A direct light railway link from London City Airport to the City of London and the Canary Wharf business centre will open in 2004.
<LI> The Dutch Government confirms that it continues to study the construction of a new airport in the North Sea as a long-term goal. Such a major project will not be viable unless other European nations are willing to join the venture. Belgium and the UK are seen as possible partners. The plan envisages the construction of the airport on an artificial island adjacent to Rotterdam, which would serve Amsterdam and Brussels and be linked by high-speed trains to Amsterdam Schiphol and Brussels airports.
<LI> Edmonton, Alberta's Villeneuve Airport has been transferred from Transport Canada to Edmonton Regional Airports Authority under a Canadian Government policy to transfer ownership of up to 31 small airports to local interests in an effort to stimulate new services.
<LI> A 3,500m (11,500ft) runway has been opened at Leipzig Halle Airport in Germany, to enable long-haul flights to be operated.
<LI> London Luton Airport has put together an expansion plan which includes extending the taxiway at each end of the single runway and a new taxiway crossing. A dedicated people-mover could also be installed to the nearby railway station. Meanwhile, easyJet is threatening to limit expansion at Luton in favour of other European airports if it cannot agree an acceptable charges structure with the airport.
Source: Flight International
