Open for business: news from ACI’s World Business Partners

Smart glass at Phoenix Sky Harbor
View has installed its smart glass technology in the new Eighth Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 4.

Opened on June 20, the 275,000-square-foot expansion is enclosed with floor-to-ceiling View Smart Glass, which allowed the architectural design team of Corgan and SmithGroup to ensure that it makes maximum use of natural lighting and offer some picturesque views.

The glass uses artificial intelligence to automatically adjust in response to the sun, maximising access to daylight and outdoor views while blocking heat and glare to optimise passenger comfort and reduce energy consumption from lighting and HVAC by up to 20%.

Read more: Which Country"s Laws Are Enforced During International Flights?

“We designed the Terminal 4 expansion to enhance the travel experience and reduce the airport’s environmental impact,” said Chad Makovsky, PHX’s director of aviation services for PHX.

“View’s innovative technology directly supports both goals by improving passenger comfort while reducing energy demand.”

View notes that in a study on natural light and the airport experience, passengers who boarded at gates with View Smart Glass were 68% more likely to report a higher satisfaction rate and rated the airport as 33% more modern, efficient, bright, and comfortable. A similar study on daylight and views found that seats at gates with View Smart Glass were 15 degrees cooler than those with traditional windows, boosting passenger comfort levels and encouraging them to spend more time and money at restaurants, bars, and shops within the airport.

WFS to operate cargo terminal at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport
Global air cargo logistics provider, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), has been awarded a 15-year license to operate its first cargo handing operation in India at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR).

As a result of the agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), from May 2023, WFS will be responsibible for the development, operation, management and maintenance of one of the cargo terminals at India’s third-largest gateway for international import and export cargo.

WFS will also operate and invest in the expansion of Bengaluru Kempegowda’s dedicated Cold Chain Facility in conjunction with BIAL, initially doubling its capacity to 80,000 tonnes per annum before increasing to a throughput capacity in excess of 150,000 tonnes per annum, post completion of phase 2.

WBP Profiles

AUTOGRILL EUROPE SpA
Membership region: Europe
Type of business: Retail & Commercial
W: www.autogrill.it
Autogrill operates food and beverage concepts and retail services in more than 90 airports. The list includes 19 of the 20 largest hubs in the USA, among which are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles. The main location in Europe is Amsterdam Schiphol. Autogrill’s other airport operations are in Zurich, Athens, Basle, Milan, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Turin and the recently added Marseilles. The Marseilles Provence Airport contract marks the company’s first foray into the French airport F&B market.

EVOLV TECHNOLOGY
Membership region: North America
Type of business: Security
W: www.evolvtechnology.com
Evolv Technology aims to change how the security industry works by creating solutions that address and adapt to the mass casualty threats of today’s increasingly dangerous world. Evolv’s Mosaiq Platform provides a first-of-its-kind solution, integrating real-time video surveillance, walkthrough firearm and explosive detection, facial recognition, and security analytics.

RICONDO & ASSOCIATES
Membership region: Europe
Type of business: Consulting & Management
W: www.ricondo.com
Ricondo & Associates, Inc is a full-service aviation consulting company specialising in working in support of airport owners and operators, airlines, and federal and state agencies. Since its inception in 1989, R&A has been dedicated to solving the challenging problems facing the airport and airline industries. The company is owned and operated by its senior officers and has no other business interest except airport and aviation consulting.