ACRP Synthesis Report 20 (click here) addresses the activation of a new Airport Terminal.
"TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 20: Airport Terminal Facility Activation Techniques explores lessons learned during terminal activations at 13 domestic and international airport facilities. The report is designed to help identify effective airport terminal facility activation practices."
The most recent case study that can be looked at is the opening of Delhi Airport Terminal 3 in India. It opened with the shifting of International flights there in late July 2010. The Domestic flights were to shift there shortly after. This has since been delayed till after the Commonwealth Games in Oct 2010.
Having traveled through Delhi Terminal 2 before, I must say that the opening of Terminal 3 is a good thing. As always, there are teething problems which I am sure will be worked out in due course.
Problems at the newly opened Delhi Airport Terminal 3.
1. Power Supply
2. Water Supply
3. Road Congestion
4. Baggage issues
5. Shops which have not opened
6. Directions/wayfinding to the new terminal
Personally, I think it is still a great achievement that the terminal (48 contact gates, 502,000sqm or 5.4million sqft) has been opened before the Commonwealth Games. The Terminal opened in July 2010, just barely 4 years after the signing of the agreement (in Apr 2006) for a private operator GMR to operate New Delhi Airport.
