Hamburg Airport — planning for the future
Mission accomplished: the fifth of ten construction phases in the comprehensive apron refurbishment is finished, and with it, the last part of the work to be carried out directly adjacent to the terminals.
All of the jetbridges are back in operation. Refurbishment is complete for two thirds of the 330,000-square-meter primary apron. In the process, Hamburg Airport is also redesigning the apron layout – the markings on the apron, lines and writing, to guide vehicles and taxiing aircraft. This will improve the efficiency and flexibility of ground operations.
Apron 1 is also being equipped with an additional innovation, the “Follow the Greens” guidance system. Green lighting strips in the apron surface automatically guide each pilot to the right parking position on arrival and to the correct waiting position before take-off. They appear in front of the taxiing aircraft as a dynamic strip of light, going out again once the aircraft has passed over them. Until now, pilots have received their taxiing instructions by radio.
SIX new jetbridges and a new baggage processing system
Between now and 2021, six new aircraft positions with jetbridges are being constructed on the rear side of the Southern Passenger Pier. The lower level will also be home to the new bus gates, and the project also includes new shopping and service areas. The demolition of the old air freight terminal to make way for the new gates has already begun and we expect it to be complete by March 2019. A new baggage system will also be installed, designed to satisfy the latest security requirements in terms of x-ray inspection of baggage. Work will commence at the end of 2018 and should be finished by 2023.
Temporary building with walk-in-walk-out gates
Some existing gates will be temporarily unavailable due to the pending construction work. In order to ensure ongoing operations are not interrupted, Hamburg Airport is planning a temporary building on Apron 2, with walk-in-walk-out gates, where passengers walk across the apron straight to their aircraft. The gates are scheduled to enter operation in summer 2019. A bus shuttle, operating every three to five minutes depending on traffic levels, will carry passengers between the A gates on the Passenger Pier and the new building on Apron 2.
Modern market square
Changes are also afoot for the Airport Plaza. The central terminal building will become a bright, open and modern place to spend time at the airport. A central front annex is being added in front of the redesigned shopping area where passengers come together before proceeding to their boarding gates. There will be a new central market square with a comfortable waiting zone.