Renewal of Hamburg Airport’s apron complete after four-year build

"We have invested in the future of our airport with this project. The newly-designed apron will ensure more efficient taxiing traffic in future. ‘Follow the Greens' is one of the most modern control systems for handling operations on the ground even faster, more flexibly and environment-friendlier and will facilitate that. Completing the refurbishment during ongoing flight operations has proved the greatest challenge of this demanding construction project. We have mastered this successfully with everyone involved," said Eggenschwiler. The basic repair of the main apron involved the renewal of all lines, technical equipment as well as the surface, the line layout and lettering or so-called apron layout.

A newly created double aisle allows two aircraft to pass each other without having to wait. As part of the "Follow the Greens" guidance procedure, rows of green lights embedded in the ground will show pilots the route to the runway and the correct parking position. This improves the use of the apron and the flow of traffic and cuts aircraft taxiing times, which benefits the environment and means less noise and lower CO2 emissions,  Hamburg Airport said.

Environment-friendlier shore power instead of mobile generators is now available thanks to a 400 Hertz power supply installed on the apron. Aircraft parked near terminals now get conditioned air and electricity from the airport's natural-gas-powered combined heat and power plant.

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