-American Airlines will build a new $1 billion, 59-gate terminal at New York Kennedy International to replacing its two existing terminals and accommodate expansion into the next century. The new 76,500m² (1.9 million ft²) facility is to open in 2006 with work to begin later this year. The three concourses will be able to handle 14 million passengers a year, with 14 of the gates designated for the use of regional aircraft.
-The Kobe Municipal Government has applied to the Japanese Transport Ministry for approval to start construction of a domestic airport. Work could start by mid-year with a completion date in 2005. The single 2,500m-long runway, built on reclaimed land, will be able to handle up to 20,000 flight movements annually.
-The US Federal Aviation Administration has declared the first Display System Replacement (DSR) operational at the FAA's Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Centre (ARTCC). The DSR will replace 30-year-old air traffic controller consoles at all 20 ARTCCs nationwide by the middle of next year. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the $1 billion programme.
-Zurich Airport is seeking to double its sales within three years of privatisation, says future president Josef Felder. The increases will come through global alliances and the acquisition of shares in other airports. The airport clocked up sales of around $342 million in 1998, and aims to push the figure towards $750 million by 2003, he says. The Zurich canton presented its privatisation plan to the regional parliament in July, which includes creating a new public company with between 51% and 67% of the shares quoted on the Swiss stock exchange. The airport has been valued at around $1.14 billion.
-France's Nantes-Atlantique Airport beat all traffic records last year with a throughput of 1.66 million passengers, a rise of 16% on the previous year - the largest increase of any French airport. Schedule and charter traffic have both risen sharply.
Source: Flight International
