Aviation Design

The aviation industry is rapidly changing. Baby boomers travel more extensively than any previous generation, while millennials have their own travel preferences. Combining the “personal touch” demanded by the boomers with the "self-service" requirements of millennials can create a customer service dilemma.

Airports compete with each other to offer amenities to attract passengers: high-end retail and restaurants, indoor forests, museums, and the like. These offerings must, however, conform to other, more general concerns, such as sustainability, carbon emissions, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Effective Design Solutions

With a clear focus on customer satisfaction, WSP understands that creating a positive airport experience starts with a great design. We also believe that developing effective design solutions requires an in-depth knowledge of the unique environment in which airports operate.

From safety and security to changes in aircraft size, design criteria and operational constraints are continually evolving. Aviation authorities and industry organizations provide design guidelines that must coexist with the designs of global airports.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Strong Collaboration Is Key

WSP believes in a collaborative approach with all stakeholders during the design development process. Our involvement in delivering design solutions at more than 600 airports worldwide means that we can draw upon a vast knowledge base of design and delivery solutions. We help clients with their particular challenges, whether the need is for large-scale or small-scale projects.

We are involved in the design and program management of Terminal 1 renovation at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). In collaboration with all stakeholders, we undertook important changes to the original design and program before completion of the process. This has allowed important savings for SFO. We also worked on the planning, design and development documents for Los Angeles International Airport’s development program, and we are providing program management services for a significant expansion of Denver International Airport’s capital improvement program.

Keeping Disruption to a Minimum

We create design solutions that minimize disruptions so that airports and other aviation facilities stay operational throughout the construction/renovation process. We understand that unplanned loss of functionality has major negative impact on both the airport and the regional economic performance.

Our experience ranges from single runway to multiple runway operations, and small general aviation (GA) terminals to large super hub, multiple terminal/concourse facilities.

At SFO, we provided construction management services for the runway safety area project. Our team completed the project one month ahead of schedule, returning full operation to the SFO airfield ahead of time.

All Around Design Expertise

Our expertise in engineering and design enables us to provide single-discipline or integrated multidiscipline design teams to suit any design challenge, whether airside or landside, buildings or airfield infrastructure.