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Lead Interviews Articles
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December, 2011Kallas focused on Single European Sky and airport capacity challenge
Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President Responsible for Transport, assumed his current portfolio in February 2010, succeeding Antonio Tajani. He spoke to Airport Business about a range of issues, including the forthcoming Airport Package, capacity in the air and on the ground, the Single European Sky and aviation liberalisation. Ross Falconer reports.
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October, 2011Primary airports provide easyJet platform for future expansion
Carrying more than 50 million passengers per year, easyJet is the UK’s largest airline and Europe’s fourth largest. Carolyn McCall became easyJet CEO on 1 July 2010. In a wide-ranging interview, following her keynote speech at this year’s ACI EUROPE Annual Congress, she expanded on subjects including her strategic vision for the future of the airline, aviation taxation and the airport-airline relationship. Ross Falconer reports.
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June, 2011Fraport invests in future as it celebrates 75 years
Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s busiest airport and is among the world’s top 10 hubs. The airport celebrates its 75th anniversary this year – a year in which it will also, significantly, open the new Runway Northwest. Fraport is investing €7 billion in Frankfurt Airport in the period from 2007 to 2015 to sustain an ambitious strategy, as Dr Stefan Schulte, Chairman of the Executive Board, Fraport AG, explained to Ross Falconer.
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April, 2011Schiphol innovating to ensure sustainable growth
The Schiphol story is one of success driven by innovation. The oldest airport in Europe, the fifth busiest airport in Europe and an important engine for the Dutch economy, Schiphol contributes around 1.5% of GDP. Ad Rutten, Executive Vice President & COO Schiphol Group, is in his second term as ACI EUROPE President. He spoke to Ross Falconer about the continuing evolution of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s airports.
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January, 2011Swedavia, airport innovator and a rising Scandinavian brand
The division of the LFV Group was formalised on 1 April and has created two strong organisations with the aim of further developing the Swedish aviation sector. The newly established Swedavia manages, develops and promotes the 13 state-owned airports (three of which are in the process of being sold), while LFV is responsible for air navigation services. Torborg Chetkovich, Swedavia’s new CEO, outlined the airport operator’s vision to Ross Falconer.
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October, 2010TAV Airports’ vision for 100 million passengers
The original goal of TAV Airports Holding was to operate 10 airports within 10 years, firmly establishing itself as the regional leader. Having achieved that objective, as Macedonia started operations in March 2010, its next target is to serve 100 million passengers annually by 2017. Sani Sener, President and CEO, outlined the TAV Airports strategic vision to Ross Falconer. Additional reporting by Robert O’Meara.
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July, 2010Visionary AdR-SEA collaboration to boost Italy’s competitiveness
SEA Aeroporti di Milano and Aeroporti di Roma came together in October 2009, with the key objective to boost Italy’s economic growth. This goal will be driven by a period of collaboration that will provide significant new infrastructure. Ross Falconer spoke with Fabrizio Palenzona, chairman of assaeroporti, the Italian airport association and Chairman, Aeroporti di Roma and Giuseppe Bonomi, President and CEO, SEA Aeroporti di Milano.
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March, 2010Gatwick sets out competitive vision
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) formally completed the £1.5 billion (€1.65bn) acquisition of London-Gatwick Airport in December 2009, with the promise of a new era of competition between London’s airports, more efficient operations and a better passenger experience. Stewart Wingate, the newly-appointed CEO, outlined the airport’s strategy to Ross Falconer.
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December, 2009Low-cost terminal the growth engine for Marseille-Provence
The airport of Marseille-Provence, France’s third busiest airport outside Paris, is a notable success story amidst the current economic climate. While accumulated passenger traffic across Europe declined by -7.7% for the first nine months of the year, Marseille-Provence airport saw a +3.9% increase to almost five million passengers. The development of mp2, the airport’s low-cost terminal, is largely responsible for this success, as Pierre Regis, CEO, explained to Ross Falconer.
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October, 2009Reduction of Carbon Emissions
On 16 June, ACI EUROPE launched Airport Carbon Accreditation at its Annual Assembly in Manchester. Upon launch, the scheme secured more than 30 participating airports, representing 26% of European passenger traffic – a testament to how seriously European airports are responding to the issue of Climate Change, even in the midst of the worst trading conditions that the sector has ever seen.
Ross Falconer reports. -
June, 2009DAA reducing costs and driving revenues
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is responsible for the management, operation and development of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. The airports are of key strategic importance to the exporting economy of Ireland and despite the severe effects of the economic downturn, DAA is pressing ahead with an ambitious capital investment programme. Declan Collier, Chief Executive, outlined the company’s strategy to Ross Falconer.
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March, 2009SMAG – giving voice to Europe’s Small and Regional airports
In 2006, ACI EUROPE established the Small and Medium Size Airports Action Group (SMAG) with an agenda purely focusing on issues of topical interest to Small and Regional airports; its membership now totals 136 airports and five national airport associations. Ross Falconer sat down with Olle Sundin, Managing Director Regional Airports Division, LFV and incoming SMAG Chairman; Marcel Buelens, CEO, Brussels South Charleroi Airport; and Paolo Stradi, Managing Director, Trieste International Airport, ahead of the 2nd ACI EUROPE SMAG Conference & Exhibition in Linz.
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January, 2009Tajani committed to Single European Sky and sustainable air transport
Appointed last June, European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani had to pick up the Transport portfolio at an extremely important time. The critical tasks ahead are numerous and include working towards more sustainable transport, ensuring safe transport and passenger rights, while Tajani’s first initiative as Commissioner for Transport was the relaunch of the Single European Sky (SES II). Ross Falconer reports.
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October, 2008Working together is the key to future success
Dr Yiannis Paraschis, CEO, Athens International Airport (AIA), has been ACI EUROPE President since June 2007, having been re-elected for a second term at this year’s Annual Assembly in Paris. In a wide-ranging interview, he spoke to Ross Falconer about the continuing evolution of AIA and, significantly, how handling the current economic crisis must be reconciled with the need to address the capacity crunch.
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June, 2008ADP strives for ‘exceptional growth’ through efficient partnership
Aéroports de Paris has a commitment to invest €2.7 billion between 2006 and 2010 in order to handle projected traffic growth. This investment programme has allowed the construction of new facilities that will provide capacity for an additional 19.4 million passengers by the beginning of 2009. Chairman and CEO Pierre Graff explained to Ross Falconer how Aéroports de Paris plans to capitalise on its “exceptional growth potential”.
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May, 2008‘Ensuring there is one ATM process in Europe’
EUROCONTROL is in a period of transition, including several management changes, not least the appointment of David McMillan as Director General at the beginning of this year. He spoke with Ross Falconer about his vision for EUROCONTROL going forward and the crucial issues, such as the second Single European Sky package, that are on the agenda in 2008.
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February, 2008The re-invention of Brussels Airport – a story of proactive partnership
Recently released figures show that passenger traffic at Brussels Airport grew 7% in 2007 to 17.8 million, thereby exceeding the European average for the first time since 2001. The airport has come a long way since that tumultuous year when the bankruptcy of home carrier Sabena also coincided with investment in major terminal development. New branding, innovative airline relations and a proactive approach to marketing and route development have all contributed to this success, as Wilfried Van Assche, CEO, The Brussels Airport Company, explained to Ross Falconer.
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October, 2007Dubai’s strategy – to become the world’s aviation hub
The importance attached to aviation in Dubai was amply demonstrated recently, with the announcement that a total of US$82 billion (£58bn) will be invested in the emirate’s aviation sector as part of the Dubai Government’s Strategic Plan 2015. Ross Falconer met HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, to discuss how aviation is valued in the emirate and his strategy for continued success.
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