Changi Airport (Singapore) is encouraging people who do not fly to shop duty-free at retailers that are struggling. The airport is also selling three-month entry packages to the Jewel area. Changi saw passenger numbers drop by more than 99% in April, May and June compared to the previous year. Changi has reduced capacity, left two of its four terminals idle and postponed plans for a fifth. Previously, Changi was an airport that invested heavily in facilities to transform itself into an upscale shopping destination with Jewel, an entertainment complex of nearly 140,000 square meters.2Includes shops and attractions such as a rainforest, a hedge maze, the world's tallest indoor waterfall...
The Vilnius International Film Festival is being held on the abandoned runway of the airport in the Lithuanian capital.
Meanwhile, the airport authorities in the Lithuanian capital came up with an interesting idea. They used the vacant runway space to support the Vilnius International Film Festival, a major cultural event taking place in the region. This open-air cinema not only helped the event become a success beyond expectations but also provided an effective entertainment service for local people during the pandemic.
Similarly, Ontario International Airport in Southern California (USA) opened a movie theater in its parking lot in June and July.
Munich Airport signs deal with DHL Express to build warehouse on car park
Munich Airport (Germany) in June reached an agreement with DHL Express to build an $82 million warehouse on land used for parking. This is the second largest airport in Germany and the sixth largest in Europe, always in the top of the best airports in Europe and internationally with modern, convenient facilities and smooth traffic operations.
And Edmonton International Airport in Alberta announced plans in July to open a 120-megawatt solar farm spanning more than 250 hectares.
Airports are also expanding. In Thailand, the first phase of a $9.4 billion airport expansion south of Bangkok is due to be completed in 2024. Hong Kong will spend $18 billion to expand its airport. China and South Korea are also continuing to build expensive airport projects.
Many airports "take advantage" of upgrading and renovating during the epidemic season
Meanwhile, in Singapore, Changi Airport Terminal 2 will be closed for 18 months. In January 2020, CAG announced that it would upgrade Terminal 2 to accommodate an additional 5 million passengers per year. The 18-month closure will not only help the group and its partners save a significant amount of money on cleaning and maintaining facilities, but will also help CAG take advantage of time and speed up the upgrade process, which is expected to be completed a year earlier than the original plan of 2024.
Greg Fordham, CEO of Melbourne airport project consultancy Airbiz, said the crisis is a great opportunity for airports to engage in things they have never done before.
As passengers return, airports will need to reassess how they make money. They could offer services like hotel accommodations for crew, dinner service, and medical care for passengers.
