Recently I’ve written a few posts about how various airlines and indeed aircraft are looking to become more eco-friendly in an industry that is of course completely reliant upon fossil fuels to provide power. With that said gains are being made in terms of fuel efficiency of new aircraft and various changes being made by airlines to help with recycling and reducing the overall weight of aircraft. Today however I found a story about an airport that is undergoing huge renovations that will make it more modern, passenger friendly and environmentally friendly too.

Long Beach Airport in California has seen a huge upsurge in passenger traffic in recent years leaving the airport in need of major renovations, fortunately the contract was awarded to Edge Development who are incorporating a number of environmental features in the makeover while still retaining the original Art Deco terminal building. The project began this month after the company were awarded the contract following their bid which came in at $4 million below the $28 million budgeted for the airport remodel. The original terminal building will be retained due to its historic roots as the building is a 1926 Art Deco masterpiece of the streamline moderne style, but will be the beneficiary of a new roof, paint and furnishings. The remainder of the changes however will suddenly have an eye on the future and provide many environmentally friendly benefits.

Artists impression of new concourse at Long Beach airport

How atypical does this sound in the first place? After clearing security or passengers will walk through a newly designed outdoor garden area before entering the gate areas. This new concourse will be the feature of the project by Edge with the entire building certified under LEED guidelines. The new building will almost double the currently available 19,000 square feet and will include solar panels throughout, large windows along the length to terminal to improve natural lighting and low flow plumbing fixtures. The solar panels are being designed to eventually provide as much as 20 percent of the overall energy needs of the airport. A brand-new parking garage project is nearing completion will also feature solar panels which will be on double duty as they will also provide shade to vehicles parked on the roof of the structure.

The existing airport has for many years struggled to handle its increased volume and the revised capacity and new electric infrastructure will also result in the removal of diesel generators which have been used for many years to power baggage handling and aircraft air conditioning while the planes sit at gates. The project which should result in Long Beach being the greenest airport in the region is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013.