Changi Airports International launches airport pavement research initiative

Changi Airports International has set up an Airport Pavement Centre of Excellence, or APEX. The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changi Airport Group, said the centre is meant to help airports cope with infrastructure pressures it links to climate change, rising air traffic demand and heavier aircraft operations. It brings together airport practitioners, academics and pavement specialists.

CAI said APEX will turn research, innovation and operational experience into practical solutions to improve the safety, reliability and sustainability of airport pavements.

The company calls pavements one of the most critical assets in aviation infrastructure, since take-offs, landings and turnarounds depend on how runways, taxiways and aircraft stands perform. Traffic volumes are rising, aircraft are getting heavier and weather is becoming more extreme, it said. When deteriorating pavement forces unplanned runway and taxiway closures, operations are disrupted, capacity is limited and the economic cost can be significant.

Airports face similar problems, according to CAI, but industry knowledge remains fragmented and no single pavement solution suits every climate, material and operating environment. APEX is meant to close those gaps.

Further details are expected in the next issue of Airport World.