Hamburg Airport to renew its main apron; construction work planned for the period 2016–2020

Hamburg, Germany, 2015-12-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Hamburg Airport is planning the comprehensive renewal of the main apron (Apron 1), with a total surface area of 330,000 square metres. The work is planned for the period 2016–2020. The investment of around 120 million euros is necessary because the concrete surfaces are now between 40 and 60 years old, and their usability will come to an end in the foreseeable future. The work will be conducted in ten staggered phases so as to keep the impact on flight operations to a minimum. The awarding of contracts for the first five phases has now been completed.

The work to be carried out represents the comprehensive refurbishment of a central airport facility, encompassing as it does the renewal of all pipes, cables, technical equipment, and the surface itself. The concrete surfaces, for example taxiways and aircraft parking positions, are being constructed for a new life cycle of approximately 25 years. For deeper underground facilities such as storm water channels, the target utilisation period is 50 years. Work on the first project phase of 59,000 square metres in the southern apron and terminal area is planned to begin in March 2016. The combined tendering process for the first phase and four further phases has now been completed. This incorporates an investment volume of around 40 million euros. The work will be carried out by the consortium ARGE HAM VF1, BA 1-5 – consisting of the companies Bickhardt Bau from Kirchheim and Krebs Infrastruktur & Betonbau from Neumuenster. Tendering for Phases 6–10 will take place at a later date.

Minimum possible impact on flight operations
“We see the comprehensive apron refurbishment is an investment for the future. Aircraft will be able to taxi and manoeuvre better and more quietly on the new surface. This will result in reduced noise and exhaust emissions, an important goal along the path to sustainable airport infrastructure,” says Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport. “Carrying out the construction work over several years during ongoing operations is a great challenge for our entire team. But with this approach we are keeping the impact on flight operations as small as possible.”

“Follow the Greens”: Improvements for passengers and the environment
In the course of the renewal of the surface, the apron layout will be revised to fulfil current EASA and ICAO standards, with new lane alignment and markings, including taxiways and aircraft parking positions. Existing drainage facilities will be renewed in conjunction with the manoeuvring surface areas. Furthermore, the apron will be equipped with the new “Follow the Greens” illumination system on the taxiways leading to both runways. Rows of green lights inserted into the surface will guide pilots to take-off or to the allocated parking position. Jochen Schroeder, Project Manager for Civil Engineering in the Real Estate Management Division, explains the advantages of the new system: “With ‘Follow the Greens’, Hamburg Airport is adopting an intelligent, individually managed illumination and guidance system. It makes intersecting traffic possible without danger and also facilitates improved traffic flow on the manoeuvring area.”. Shorter taxiing and waiting times will benefit passengers and also be good for the environment, thanks to reduced fuel consumption on the ground.

CONTACT:

Stefanie Harder
Head of Communications (Spokesperson)

Phone: +49 (0) 40 / 50 75 – 3610
Fax: +49 (0) 40 / 50 75 – 36 22
Email: sharder@ham.airport.de

SOURCE: FLUGHAFEN HAMBURG GMBH

###

Hamburg Airport to renew its main apron; construction work planned for the period 2016–2020

Hamburg Airport to renew its main apron; construction work planned for the period 2016–2020