Jan 3rd 2025 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Adam Rollins

Airport officials across the U.S. will be busy during 2025, not only with airlines and the passengers they serve, but also because hundreds of large construction projects are currently in the planning phases, with many set to launch this year. These include terminal expansions, security upgrades, modernized baggage handling systems, runway renovations and new technology installations. There will also be projects that focus on sustainability, energy efficiency and improving water management systems.

Since thousands of contractors will bid on these upcoming projects, it seems fitting to point out some critical components of successful proposals.

The first thing to keep in mind is that most large airport projects have already initiated community outreach to solicit public input. Bidders should understand stakeholder and community feedback and be aware of the airport’s current strategic goals approved by officials. Proposals that include ways to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency are always attractive.

Large airport initiatives are typically divided into smaller projects, and firms that collaborate early with oversight officials often become strong candidates for subsequent projects. The examples of upcoming projects that follow provide a small peek into contracting options over the next several years.

A $25 million project to expand the South Ramp at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina is a key component of the airport’s $4 billion capital improvement plan. The massive plan will be divided into several phases, and the overall effort will be structured to improve operational efficiency and support the region’s aggressive growth and demand. The terminal ramp south of Concourse B will be expanded to provide additional aircraft queuing and taxiing capacity and will also include work to increase parking. This project is just entering the preliminary planning phase with a design phase to follow. While actual work is not in the immediate future, this airport initiative is large enough in scope to warrant upfront time for positioning by interested contracting firms.

Officials at the San Francisco International Airport will soon launch a $30 million project to refurbish parts of the facility’s International Terminal Building. The work will enhance the facilities and add more amenities for guests and airline passengers. A project launch is scheduled for early 2025, with a Design-Bid-Build procurement process set to begin in the first quarter of the year. The renovation work will take place on both the Departures and Arrivals levels of the International Terminal as part of the airport’s $2.6 billion plan for future expansion.

A soon-to-be-launched Central Terminal redevelopment project at the Miami International Airport carries a projected cost of $373 million. This phase of the airport’s redevelopment plan is part of the airport’s overall modernization effort. It will include renovating Concourses E and F over four levels within the facility, and a new post-security corridor will be created to streamline passenger flow and improve connectivity between the two concourses. The project will also introduce expanded dining and retail options, two additional gates and upgraded holding rooms to accommodate increased passenger space. New offices and baggage handling systems will also be added. While no final cost projection is available yet, the estimated $373 million cost is based on similar projects. Design work began in 2024, and procurement schedules will follow.

A 2025 Capital Improvement Plan for the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport was approved in December. The first project to be announced will focus on reconstructing the airport’s south parallel courses and has been tagged with an estimated cost of $35 million. This reconstruction follows the successful completion of a similar project for another runway at the airport. The project will be executed in two phases to minimize disruption, allowing the airfield to remain operational while still meeting all required safety standards. The first phase is scheduled to launch between April and May 2025, with the second phase to follow between August and September 2025. Upgrades will include new paving, drainage systems and enhanced lighting and signage. Design work has been finalized and procurement is expected to begin in early 2025.

A large project is scheduled to launch at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late in 2025. No final cost estimate has been announced, but the price tag will be somewhere between $80 million and $120 million. The project will be delivered through a design-build engagement, and will deliver a centralized baggage processing system capable of handling up to 4,000 checked bags an hour, significantly improving efficiency and reducing wait times for passengers at this very busy airport. Key features of the project will include advanced screening technologies, automated sorting and scalability to account for future growth. Details regarding a launch date are still pending based on several factors, including planning approvals and regulatory processes.