Airspace: The Flexible Terminal Solution for Sustainable 'Low Cost' Airline Growth

It is the Low Cost operators who are prospering and this has led to a new airport aesthetic of cheap and temporary terminal accommodation, as airport operator's grapple with the demand at a time when so much focus has understandably been directed at the security aspects of the process. Words such as 'cheap' shed and prefab are often used without true understanding of either the potential of these building types or the diseconomies of rigid inappropriate ultra short-term solutions.

Expansion of facilities for budget airlines has often led to low cost 'quick fixes'. The timescales for these 'fixes' has left little opportunity for proportionally increasing non-direct airline income or the re-examination of the traditional attitudes towards the functions of the facilities or our attitude towards the users, whether they are public or employee.

The traditional terminal model does not work for this growing sector. The revenue generated purely by the fact that a person is travelling is so relatively small that the terminals' own income generation by means of retail and leisure concessions, as well as car parking and associated rental opportunities, is essential to make the business model work. The growth and evolution in this sector provides an excellent opportunity to build terminals that are revenue-generating profit centres in themselves. The approach needs a refreshed and keen-eyed view of passenger and operational requirements.

REID architecture has combined over 15 years' experience of airport operations with their retail and leisure expertise to create AirSpace; a flexible, modular terminal solution designed to satisfy the increasing demands of low cost operators.

AirSpace meets the challenge provided by the new influx of budget passengers by achieving operational efficiency and quality of space at a low price together with revenue generating opportunities within a stress-free and enjoyable environment.

The solution to these conflicts is achieved architecturally and draws on REID architecture's extensive understanding of quality, systems, and low-cost industrial construction and design methods.

The perceived cost of existing shed like terminals is relatively high when considering the income generating potential is limited. If the reliance on secondary income is to be sustained it is important to recognize the need to build in more attractive retail and leisure facilities in the most economic and efficient way possible.

This will create more profitable internal space and more comfortable environment for passengers, thus encouraging a greater tendency to spend. The layout of the shops and restaurants needs to invite the passengers in by forming a more obvious part of the environment and not just a bolt-on area to the end of check-in desks and lounges. This is also important to reinforce the perceived security of the industry. It is not sufficient to just to 'stuff' these spaces with as much retail as possible.

Traditional terminals have needed to balance the needs of checking in passengers and the people who are seeing them off with transit passengers. Airlines, particularly those with tight turnarounds like to get the passenger as close to the gate as early as possible.

This means that the terminal operator needs to place commercial opportunities both in the line of the normal passenger process but then as close to the gate as is possible. The traditional arrangement of vast uninterrupted lounges is not appropriate here. The design needs to reinvent the lounge with the passenger being continually enticed by opportunities.

It is an honest expression of the structure and purpose that will make the building. Structure in this sense is the architecture of the space, which together with the light and the movement form the quality and purpose of the building.

Spaces and their function need to be clear and readable with clarity of process that needs the minimum of reliance on signed wayfinding. A Low Cost terminal does not need to compromise the passengers experience but make it more focused.

The flexible nature of the AirSpace model allows it to adapt to differing regional criteria whether they be variances in passenger numbers, specific local infrastructure, the requirement for an entirely new terminal or simply an extension of a larger hub. It is equally applicable to Asia Pacific and European regions. The emphasis is on addressing an essential operating regional market for flexible facilities catering upwards from 1 million passengers per annum.

Key to the approach is the use of integrated and rigorously planned compact modules based on technological solutions that are both straightforward and economic. AirSpace is designed to facilitate both change and progressive growth. These modules can be assembled offsite or in an onsite-fabricating yard to capitalise on the benefits of the quality of this type of procurement, as well as minimising the operational impact on the airport. Each element of the terminal operation can expand in at least one direction, either independently or as part of a phased terminal development strategy. The elegant clear span structural solution enables a mezzanine floor to be easily inserted providing additional expansion space, which can be quickly and economically fitted out.

Through intelligent technological design and specification, REID architecture has also sought to maximise the sustainable characteristics of the building. This approach not only gives moral and marketing benefits but also greatly reduces the potentially high running and maintenance costs of this type of facility.

All the technical and operational aspirations are met in a clear, confident and beautifully detailed building, creating a stunning and enjoyable experience. The form and layout are designed to fully exploit potential retail and advertising income for the airport, while providing clear easy passage for passengers.

The REID Architecture model provides a light and airy environment that does not create unnecessary volume height and cost. Where possible areas are drenched in diffused natural light from the clerestory windows, part of an energy-efficient design, with exposed steel roof members providing interesting architectural details.

There are no suspended ceilings, so there is no wastage in internal space. Services are exposed and coordinated to avoid an oppressive result. Neither is there redundancy in the use of materials. Lighting and the use or advertising and retail graphics enhance the life, excitement and energy of the internal spaces.

As the margins of competition between the increasing numbers of Low Cost operators reduce, the airlines will look for commercial differentiators. One of these could be the service or opportunity within the terminal. While creating the marketing tool, this would in fact generate income rather than just adding to operational cost.

REID architecture is currently applying the design model through in the UK and is looking to develop it further following feedback at its launch at PTExpo 2003 in Hamburg.