Airports are no longer just locations where aircraft land and depart. They are now destinations where businesses grow, people live and development flourishes. Crowned as one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, Hong Kong International Airport witnesses 68 take-offs and landings of cargo flights per hour and served 74.7 million passengers last year. The pandemic doesn’t seem to have slowed things down as global air traffic in 2023 sat at 8.6 billion, which is 94.2% of 2019 numbers.
Air traffic numbers are only expected to higher from here. In 2020, the Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) announce of their HKD40 billion (USD5.124 billion) investment as a part of its 10-year plan to support a series of projects to develop the Hong Kong International Airport City. The plan which would be implemented progressively aims to enhance the airport’s capacity and functionality while transforming it into a new landmark and propelling the economic development of Hong Kong and the region forward. Among the projects include the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) Island development and the SKYCITY and the Asia World Expo (AWE) Phase II development.
In Australia, The NSW government has unveiled plans for its 114-hectare aerotropolis near Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), which it says will be five times the size of Barangaroo. Backed by more than AUD1 billion from the Australian state government, it is hoped that the Bradfield City Centre will be established in line with the opening of WSI in 2026. The draft Master Plan, includes more than two million square metres of gross floor area of development near the airport, with plans for 10,000 homes, roads, green space, commercial and retail precincts, and much needed infrastructure which will deliver 20,000 direct jobs.
The 5th Annual Aerotropolis Summit by Trueventus offers a platform to indulge into the driving factors, challenges, and trends on airport regional markets. Discover the models and schemes of airport urbanism to ensure future substantial economic growth and profit increment. Together with experts from every specialised sector, dive in and discover the master strategy in shaping the future Aerotropolis.
SITA is the air transport industry’s IT provider, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. Our technology powers more seamless, safe, secure and sustainable air travel.
With around 2,500 customers, SITA’s solutions drive operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports while delivering the promise of the connected aircraft to customers of over 18,000 aircraft globally. SITA also provides technology solutions that help more than 70 governments strike the balance of secure borders and seamless travel. Its communications network connects every corner of the globe, and SITA bridges 45% of the air transport community’s data exchange.
In 2023, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved SITA’s near-term and long-term emission reduction targets. These science-based targets are pivotal in guiding the company’s climate actions to curtail greenhouse gas emissions effectively. SITA is also developing solutions to help the aviation industry meet its carbon reduction objectives, including reduced fuel burn and greater operational efficiencies.
In 2024, SITA acquired Materna IPS, leader in passenger handling, to create the world’s most powerful passenger portfolio for airports and digital travel. SITA then acquired ASISTIM, to offer a fully-fledged airline flight Operations Control Center managed service. The company also launched SmartSea to give the maritime industry access to the same advanced technology that is transforming air travel. The launch comes as part of SITA’s growth into cruise and rail, as well Urban Air Mobility, such as Vertiports.
SITA is 100% owned by the industry and driven by its needs. It is one of the most internationally diverse companies, providing services in over 200 countries and territories.
Go to www.sita.aero for more information.
The Company Vector Foiltec
With transparent roofs and facades made of Texlon® ETFE, the company Vector Foiltec has made a major contribution to setting new standards in recent architecture. As the world market leader in architectural foil construction and inventor of the Texlon® ETFE system, we have already completed over 1,700 international projects. Our system shapes stadia constructions, atria, shopping centers, zoos and garden parks, public buildings, swimming pools, schools and universities all over the world. Our technology of architectural foils can be processed in a variety of ways. Whether as a one-layer or multi-layer system, Texlon® ETFE stands for high-performance building envelopes with an outstanding eco-balance.
Vector Foiltec invented and pioneered the use of Texlon® ETFE over 40 years ago and is the only company in the world whose core business is ETFE cladding. Our team of experts has been responsible for most major technological innovations in the field. Through extensive investment in Research & Development and a commitment to superior quality and performance, we continue to be the global market leader. With a total of 18 branches and 2 production sites, we are represented in countries such as Australia, USA, China, and the United Kingdom, combining local knowledge with global expertise.
Our Texlon® ETFE system has already proven itself in all climatic zones of the globe and is one of the most powerful and sustainable technologies for transparent roof and façade systems. It is significantly less energy required to produce our foil elements than for the production of comparable technologies, in addition, they are 100% recyclable, translucent, and stain resistant. Our system improves the carbon footprint of a building remarkably: In 2011, we were the first company in the world to receive an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for transparent cladding.