AviationPros

Gary/Chicago International Airport has recorded its 800th international arrival, marking continued growth in its international operations since opening a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in 2018. Airport officials said international traffic has become a consistent area of expansion, with the airport averaging about 150 international arrivals annually since 2022. Activity peaked in 2025 with nearly 200 arrivals, while early 2026 trends show continued momentum.

SkyShare has been selected to operate the fixed base operator at South Valley Regional Airport in Utah, with plans to expand hangar capacity and upgrade facilities as part of a broader development effort. Under an agreement with the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, SkyShare will manage full-service FBO operations while leading development across approximately 650,000 square feet of airport property.

JetBlue has launched new seasonal service between Boston Logan International Airport and Barcelona-El Prat Airport, expanding its transatlantic network and strengthening Boston’s role as a European gateway. The daily route, operating through Oct. 25, marks JetBlue’s first service to Spain’s Catalonia region and its seventh destination in Europe.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked seventh worldwide for aircraft operations in Airports Council International’s preliminary 2025 rankings, maintaining its position among the busiest global hubs. The airport recorded 574,193 aircraft operations, a 4% decrease from 2024 but a 7% increase compared to 2023. CLT also ranked 11th in North America and 35th globally for passenger traffic, with final ACI rankings expected later this year.

Slate Aviation has released its Summer 2026 schedule, adding new nonstop routes and expanding service between South Florida and the New York region. The per-seat private shuttle operator will introduce service to Westhampton Beach, New York, and resume seasonal flights to Nantucket, with operations running from June through August. The schedule continues to connect Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami with New York City-area airports and Westchester County Airport.

The American Concrete Pavement Association has released three new research reports through the Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program, offering updated guidance for the design, construction and maintenance of airfield pavements. The studies are intended to support updates to Federal Aviation Administration advisory circulars and address ongoing challenges in pavement performance, quality control and lifecycle management.

SIXT has partnered with Signature Aviation to expand its presence in the private aviation market, introducing rental car services at more than 30 locations across Europe. The collaboration integrates SIXT’s mobility services into Signature’s network of private aviation terminals, allowing customers to coordinate vehicle reservations alongside their flight operations. At participating locations, vehicles will be delivered directly to terminals, with ramp-side delivery available where permitted.

Airlines and airports are investing at record levels in technology, but a lack of data coordination across systems and partners is limiting the impact of those investments, according to SITA’s latest Air Transport IT Insights report. The industry spent $50.8 billion on technology in 2025, with airlines accounting for $36 billion and airports $14.8 billion.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its position as the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic in 2025, while Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranked first globally for aircraft movements, according to Airports Council International World. The rankings reflect a year of continued recovery and growth across the aviation sector, with global passenger traffic reaching an estimated 9.8 billion, up 3.6% from 2024 and 7.3% above 2019 levels.

Major U.S. airports are increasing security measures following recent attacks targeting aviation infrastructure in the Middle East, prompting a shift in how airports approach threat detection and response. Industry officials report that airports have expanded patrols, increased police presence and introduced additional screening measures in response to the evolving risk environment.