Building the future of aviation

As the world continues to evolve, the aviation industry currently stands at a crucial crossroads. It’s clear that aviation construction projects boost local economies. However, the future of aviation construction is not just about expanding capacity or creating cutting-edge facilities; it’s about building sustainable, collaborative and efficient infrastructure that supports the long-term success of the industry, our communities and our planet.

With over $7 billion of aviation construction experience with varying delivery methods, our teams focus on everything from construction management at risk to design-build and public-private partnerships. But the key driving force behind these efforts is the recognition that the aviation industry and our communities must work together for solutions that positively impact our projects and the environment we all share.

Here are three trends our teams are seeing in aviation construction that are setting the standard for the future.

Trend 1: Minimizing impact on travelers  

At Skanska, we are deeply committed to improving how employees, passengers and the community interface with airports during and after construction. By leveraging advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), we can enhance design precision, reduce material waste and optimize construction workflows. This not only lowers emissions but also ensures that every project is executed with the highest efficiency and minimal environmental impact with the lowest effect on travelers.

Bringing a variety of perspectives and innovative solutions to the table is critical. To see all angles of a project, our teams prioritize the inclusion of voices from diverse backgrounds and experiences in our planning and execution processes. Skanska’s Construction Management Building Blocks™ (CMBB) Training Program, for instance, engages small and diverse subcontractors through partnership, training and development with the goal of strengthening businesses and building capacity.

At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), we completed a complex, phased replacement of existing passenger boarding bridges and improvements to associated infrastructure within Boarding Area A to increase flexibility of aircraft parking, including apron and hydrant fueling system improvements, new fixed bridges, new door penetrations and necessary building systems upgrades and other infrastructure.

Each step of our detailed logistics and phasing plans were carefully designed to create a positive traffic flow and limit the impact of construction, reducing lag time and providing better access for travelers and airline operations to seamlessly move through the airport.

Trend 2: Focusing on strategic collaboration

Partnering with owners and onsite stakeholders enables our teams to provide solutions that lower life cycle costs and optimize scheduling, phasing, logistics, safety and security.

Communication, transparency and coordination across the aviation construction ecosystem—airport, general contractor, system contractors, developers and operating partners—is crucial to the success of our projects. This increases trust and strengthens the relationships between organizations as we strive to work together seamlessly.

Integrated and diverse teams working collaboratively help us deliver results effectively and efficiently by allowing firms to utilize their specific expertise and knowledge to drive future plans and meet project demands.

During our AirTrain Extension and Improvements project at SFO, Skanska utilized the progressive design-build delivery method to provide our expertise in collaboration with a number of onsite stakeholders, including the Grand Hyatt Hotel contractor and operator, AirTrain Systems contractor (Bombardier), SFO airport operations, SFO aviation and parking management, and United Airlines.

Collaboration was key to the coordinated delivery of many projects that were happening simultaneously. The project consisted of the design and construction of a new elevated guideway extension and superstructure; a new Long-Term Parking (LTP) Lot DD AirTrain Station; and a new AirTrain Station for the on-airport hotel (Grand Hyatt) with the possibility for a future rental car expansion and second garage to accommodate for anticipated growth.

Trend 3: Enhancing operational efficiency

The aviation industry is rapidly embracing new technologies to improve operational efficiency, and Skanska is incorporating these innovations into our construction projects.

We focus on creating smart, connected facilities that streamline airport operations, reduce energy consumption and improve the passenger experience for travelers of all backgrounds. Our approach includes the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart lighting and HVAC systems, and advanced data analytics to optimize energy use and operational performance.

By harnessing the power of technology and the insights of a diverse workforce (including local workers) and our partners, we are not only building airports that are efficient but also setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Recently, our team completed the 108,000-square-foot new maintenance hangar located within Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The hangar included administrative rooms, restrooms, training rooms, an IT room, lockers, and mechanical and support space.

Designed to use natural ventilation, as well as utilize sensors to maximize the energy efficiency of the building through smart lighting, we enabled a better workflow by creating one central location for employee work activities.

The scope of this project also included employee parking, remain overnight (RON) parking position, high mast lighting, power, and utilities to the hangar and blast fence. Allowing parking right next to the hangar improved the employee experience and enabled operations to move smoothly as workers didn’t have to waste time parking offsite and traveling to the location.

Looking forward

As the aviation industry continues to grow, the need for sustainable, collaborative, efficient and inclusive infrastructure has never been greater. At Skanska, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, leading the way in building a future where aviation, sustainability and diversity go hand in hand.

Learn more about our aviation work here.