NEW YORK -- Following is a roundup of airport development news:
" Portland (Ore.) Airport's seven-level parking garage will add
more than 400 spaces next summer, along with pedestrian sky bridges
between the garage and the terminal.
Meanwhile, the east elevators and tunnels for the garage are now
completely open.
Inside the terminal, two ground transportation podiums have been
set up in the baggage claim area.
Staffed during peak periods, they help visitors select the
appropriate transportation option.
" A majority of Orlando's signatory airlines have approved the
construction of a fourth runway on the east side of the main
terminal.
It will have a 9,000-foot runway, a full-length parallel taxiway
and high-speed taxiway exits.
The new runway is expected to go into service in 2003.
It will boost the airport's capacity to 70 million passengers a
year.
Orlando's fourth airside terminal, expected to open in June,
awarded its first retail concession to Franklin and Wilson Airport
Concession, which will operate a news-sundries-gift shop.
" Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood's $344 million renovation and
expansion program, which will include a fourth terminal that is
expandable to 23 gates, is under way.
A new seven-story parking garage already has opened, providing
4,900 new spaces.
" Laptop Lane, which provides private workspaces and office
equipment to road warriors who do not have airport club access,
opened a location at Tampa.
It is located in the main terminal on the walkway to the
Marriott Hotel.
" Staples opened a shop at Philadelphia Airport that allows
customers to shop in three ways.
A kiosk in the store is linked to Staples.com, a telephone link
is hooked up to a catalogue representative and traditionalists can
shop in the store itself.
The merchandise is geared to business travelers: small
quantities of paper and file folders, presentation materials,
luggage and small electronics, for example.
Self-service fax and copying will be available.
The Philadelphia store is Staples' first airport location.
" The Holiday Inn Select-San Antonio Airport finished the final
phase of its $4.2 million renovation.
Each guest room was fitted with new carpet, drapery and
bedspreads; many also received new lighting, wall coverings and
furniture.