Airport designs and constructions are characterised by complex processes. Over time, various trends and advancements have facilitated an increase in the efficiency of these processes. Airports have also transformed from being a mere location for travel to a hub with an increased focus on passenger experience, leisure and commercial activities, among others. The shift has been towards a passenger-centric approach. An increase in the use of technologies and digital initiatives has also shaped better airport construction practices.
Changes in approach
Over the past few years, airport construction and operations have witnessed notable changes in the key areas of focus and the approach adopted. Older airports were mostly constructed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, in recent years, there has been a transformation in the contracting strategy, with AAI having given out engineering, procurement and construction contracts. Airports are also increasingly being developed on a public-private partnership model.
One of the key changes that have taken place is the increased focus on the structure and aesthetics of the airport. New airports feature local architecture and are designed to portray local culture and key attractions of the area. The Adani Group is working towards this and its new projects at Lucknow and Guwahati are notable examples of the focus on airport aesthetics. Other airports, including those at Pune, Kolhapur and Trichy, have also been built featuring the local culture. Further, airports have witnessed the coming up of food and beverage outlets and retail stores. Even architectural features of airports are increasingly being designed with the goal of making them passenger friendly.
Airports are working towards ensuring sustainability and thus, are adopting environment-friendly practices. Terminal buildings are being designed to maximise the use of natural light and incorporating green spaces, among others. Airport operators are also placing more importance on drainage planning and rainwater harvesting.
Major advancements are being seen in the airside infrastructure of airports as well. The coming up of new and advanced planning tools has aided consultants in better planning of airside designs. Rapid exit taxiways, which were once limited to a few airports, are now being constructed in most airports. These bring about efficiency, given that the airport capacity can be increased with the reduction in the runway occupancy time.
Growing use of technology
One of the key changes witnessed in the construction and designing of airports over time is the use of technology and digital solutions. Airport construction is complex in nature and includes both vertical infrastructure such as terminal buildings and ATC towers and horizontal infrastructure such as runways.
Many airports are now being constructed using building information modelling (BIM), hence enabling clash detection and ensuring sustainability and carbon neutrality of these complex structures at the initial stages. BIM also aids in conflict resolution and better collaboration. Most of the work for the new terminal at the Bengaluru airport was carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of BIM, both for design and collaboration, expedited the construction process and led to zero downtime during construction. Further, the use of digital inspection, instead of manual inspection, resulted in significant time savings.
The Adani Group is also using BIM 360 technology for its airports. For instance, the technology has been used at the Guwahati airport and digital twins technology was adopted for the Lucknow airport as well. The firm monitors the progress of airports using a dashboard that has been developed on Power BI. Optic view cameras have been installed, which take high-resolution pictures every 10 minutes, and a time lapse video of the entire construction can be made.
Data analytics has several use cases in the airport sector. The recent resurfacing of one of the runways of the Delhi airport (Air Force runway) has made extensive use of data analytics for non-destructive testing. Optimised design allowed saving of cost and time.
Digital initiatives have also been adopted for passenger facilitation. A total of 40 airports are targeted to be deployed with the Digi Yatra facility by June 2025. Advanced baggage handling systems and automatic tray retrieval systems are targeted towards enhancing passenger experience and reducing the time taken at various touch points. Body scanners are also being installed and these are aimed towards faster check-in inside the airport. Additionally, the overall security of the airside is also being digitalised.
Challenges
Availability of skilled manpower is one of the key challenges faced during all phases of project implementation, from planning and design to airport construction. Brownfield airports, in particular, face challenges in the selection of contractors. This is owing to the requirement of a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security-approved contractor if airside works are involved. Given the complex nature of airport construction and the safety requirements, airports are required to follow International Civil Aviation Organisation annexures and air traffic management rules for aprons, runways and taxiways.
The depletion of materials also poses a challenge. Airports at remote locations especially face difficulties in sourcing construction materials. Climatic conditions and challenges in the mobility of both construction material and manpower are seen to impact implementation.
On the technology front, the creation of data silos or a common data environment is seen to be a challenge. There is a need for various stakeholders to use a common data environment during the design, construction and maintenance stages. This is key to ensuring uniformity between what is being designed and what is being built.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, an increased focus on sustainability is expected to shape airport design and construction. Most airports are aiming for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. On the airside, airfield ground lighting is witnessing transformation with halogens-based lights being replaced with LEDs. Soon, these are also aimed to be made solar-powered. Other initiatives including water management, recycling of materials and the use of environment-friendly materials in construction will be key focus areas. The need for airports to be carbon neutral and energy efficient is also a driving force of sustainability.
The technology of digital twins is expected to be adopted in a big way in the coming years. This will aid in processes including refurbishments or construction of new terminals, through the visualisation, planning and simulation from both the construction and operational management aspects. BIM is also likely to witness an increased uptake. Further, efforts towards the common data environment are expected.
With the expected increase in passenger traffic and aircraft fleet, there is a need for airports to equip infrastructure on both the airside and the terminal side. In line with the current trends, regional connectivity is expected to remain a focus area, going forward. This is aimed to decongest traffic at major airports and promote economic development in Tier II and III cities, subsequently promoting new routes. The challenges faced in sourcing labour are likely to increase dependence on offsite construction. Modular and precast or prefabricated structures are expected to be used to save time.
In sum
The shifting focus of airports to a passenger-centric approach has shaped the construction of new projects in the past few years. The incorporation of local architecture and culture in designs has also positively affected passenger perception towards airports. Further, trends including the adoption of digital initiatives and focus on sustainability are expected to continue in the coming years for existing airports in the form of advancements, and in the construction and design of new airports to meet the expected growth in demand.
Based on a panel discussion among Geetha Priya G., Senior Director and Sector Head, Infrastructure and Airports PDS, JLL India; J.T. Radha Krishna, Regional Executive Director, Western Region, AAI; Sandeep Navlakhe, Chief Projects Officer, Adani Airport Holdings; Manoj Tipnis, Executive Vice-President and Head Engineering, Tata Projects; and Alok Sharma, Director, AEC India and SAARC, Autodesk at a recent India Infrastructure conference
