Aviation
Airport buildings and infrastructure are at the heart of an aviation sector that enables global connectivity and economic growth. Airport investors, users and wider stakeholders expect them as a minimum to deliver on the ‘brilliant basics’ of safety, security, sustainability and operational efficiency. But it is not enough for airports merely to work well.
Passengers want the time they spend in airports to be enjoyable, relaxing and universally accessible. Governments and communities expect airports to deliver wider social and economic benefits. And society expects airports to play their part in decarbonising the aviation sector and minimising wider environmental impacts.
Whether funded by the public or private sector, an airport development must be delivered on a commercial basis at an acceptable cost to the investor, user and society.
What can we do for you?
We apply a holistic approach to the planning of airports, supporting phased development that is in step with demand growth and associated infrastructure.
From business planning and programme delivery to operational readiness and asset management, we develop pragmatic solutions focused on efficiency, sustainability and passenger experience. Our leading practitioners build collaborative teams that are appropriate to local context and project needs.
We work with the world’s leading architects to create terminals for global hub airports, and with smaller partners to deliver local solutions that deliver benefit back to communities.
We also draw on wider group capabilities to plan and design airport buildings, systems and infrastructure including surface access, commercial precincts, aircraft movement areas, utilities and ancillary facilities.
We can help:
Transform customer experience
We take a human-centred approach to terminal design and operation, enabled by appropriate use of technology, for more convenient, predictable and enjoyable journeys for all.
Optimise economic performance
We focus on operational efficiency at every stage of development, design and operation.
Support decarbonisation
We’re helping to reduce the carbon and wider environmental impacts of aviation, from industry initiatives to decarbonise ground operations through to the enabling work needed for zero emissions flight. We’re also reducing the lifecycle carbon of buildings and infrastructure through material-efficient structures and construction techniques, effective asset management strategies and a system-wide approach to energy efficiency.
Enable efficient delivery
We apply our experience of modern methods of construction to simplify and de-risk site activities. We use leading-edge digital modelling and design tools. And we collaborate with partners across the supply chain to improve cost and programme certainty, as well as the safety and sustainability of site activities.
Engineering world-class airport infrastructure
Our experience covers over 260 airports globally, ranging from major hubs and gateways such as Auckland, Changi, Hong Kong, Dubai, Istanbul, Heathrow, JFK and Los Angeles to portfolios of smaller airports serving local communities. Our input includes:
Meet the team
Our experience
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Auckland International Airport, New ZealandAs part of a 30-year expansion plan announced in 2014, New Zealand’s main gateway airport needed a concept design that would enable a transition to a single integrated terminal building for domestic and international flights. We were selected as the lead consultant for all terminal and airfield planning, passenger simulation modelling, baggage handling system strategy, and architectural and engineering design. Our planning work will support a seamless passenger experience and help maintain an optimum level of service.
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Heathrow Terminal 5, London, UKAs one of BAA’s first-tier integrated suppliers, we were the design engineer for the £4.2bn project’s substructures and foundations. We also provided rail assurance services, tunnelling advice, project and programme management and substructure design for the terminal’s second satellite building. Heathrow’s 1.3km airside road tunnel involved working under one of the world’s busiest airports, with the challenges of extremely shallow depth and having to pass under existing utilities. Work was completed on time and below budget with no impact on the airport’s day-to-day operations.
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Hong Kong International Airport, Hong KongWe have been working continuously at Hong Kong International Airport since the early 1990s, starting with setting out the development strategy and leading on the design of Terminal 1, Terminal 2, the midfield concourse, the north satellite concourse, the third runway and the western apron.
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Jewel Changi Airport, SingaporeWe provided building engineering services for the development of Jewel Changi Airport. The entertainment and retail complex, which opened in 2019, provides a centrepiece for Singapore’s airport and features a distinctive domed facade made of glass and steel. Work is now under way on Changi Airport Terminal 5, an indoor city that will handle up to 50M passengers a year. We are designing the main terminal building, satellite terminal building, ground transportation centre and primary landside roadway in partnership with consultants Arup and Surbana Jurong.
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Pensacola International Airport, Florida, USAWe provided Pensacola International Airport with a plan to replace their existing terminal flooring. The new flooring integrated into existing visual themes and was installed with minimal disruption to travellers. Disposing of the existing flooring could have had a serious impact on a landfill; instead we worked with the carpet manufacturers’ recycling program, with thousands of square feet sent back to them, where they turned the materials into new carpet tiles. The project received a Gold Design Excellence Award in the Institution Category from ALDesign Magazine.
