What a year it’s been?for aviation

2022 has certainly been a mixed bag for aviation. Disruption caused by Omicron hampered optimism in the beginning of the year, London Gatwick reopened its South Terminal after two years of being dormant, and countries such as Saudi Arabia reopened its borders to foreign travellers. While London Heathrow removed its cap on passengers, Schiphol has reduced passenger numbers until March 2023 while it works on solutions with trade unions to solve its ongoing staffing shortage. The invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of the year has and will continue to affect the air travel sector with the loss of Ukrainian and Russian tourists, restrictions on airlines and airspace, higher food and fuel costs, which in turn knocks traveller confidence and disposable incomes. Summer 2022 saw the tidal wave of revenge travellers who were eager to get out and experience the world again, which brought with it a fresh wave of challenges for airports who struggled to rehire workers.?

The nearly extinct business traveller started coming back and in the airport sector itself, conferences were back on with many of them taking place in the second half of the year – of which International Airport Review attended many and hosted its International Airport Summit which was a fantastic success.

It has also been a year of ‘firsts’, the first ever 100 per cent SAF-powered commercial aircraft took flight in Sweden, Fiumicino Airport deployed Italy’s first vertiport, Istanbul became the first airport to achieve ACI World’s new accessibility accreditation, San Francisco’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 became the first airport terminal in the world to earn a full WELL Core Certification.

In short, 2022 brought a wave of challenges, opportunities and successes for airports. I for one look forward to seeing how this resilient and innovative industry, which never stands still, will continue to build on its successes of 2022 and tackle next year’s challenges head-on becoming smarter, more sustainable, accessible and advanced than ever before. International Airport Review will continue to bring you all the latest content and thought leadership through the magazine, website, videos, podcasts and events.?

If you would like to write for us in 2023 please get in touch.

ISSUE 6 OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REVIEW IS OUT NOW!

READ IT NOW!: https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/181696/issue-6-of-international-airport-review/