Airport News

Delegates from airports across the globe have been giving their views on economic development on the first day of the Smart Airports conference in Munich.

The Aviation Media run five-day event hosted by Munich Airport opened today at the Hotel NH Munchen Dornach focusing on aviation and economic development.

Conference chairman and president and CEO of MXD Development Strategists Chris LeTourneur opened the event with a keynote speech.

Munich Airport CEO Dr Michael Kerkloh then talked about his airport and says the two main challenges it faces are 'capacity and sustainability'.

London City Airport (LCA) CEO, Declan Collier, then talked about the expansive development plans at his airport and the role it plays in the London economy.

He says: "We believe LCA can do econimically what London and the South-east want."

Plans include a replacement arrivals terminal, 260 bedroom hotel and a range of other extensions and Collier says the airport wants to increase passenger numbers to six million by 2023.

Vice president of Halifax International Airport, Michael Healy then talked about the development project at the Nova Scotia airport.

He says the airport thousands of jobs will be created and it is being built 'as the Atlantic Canada gateway'.

Other speakers on the first morning were Transport for London planning manager Chris Moores who talked about the need for airport development in London.

Moores also explained the benefits of Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's, ambitious plans for a four-runway Thames Estuary airport by 2029.

Collier and Moores also said they were against plans being suggested to prevent government's from funding airport infrastructure.

About 100 delegates from the aviation industry will attend each day of the five-day event.