Royal Schiphol Group has initiated a procurement process for five major construction and maintenance tenders, marking a structural shift in how Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) will manage its infrastructure through the next decade.

Announced in a press release on September 25, 2026, the tenders are a foundational element of the Airports €10 billion investment program running through 2035. The new nine-year framework agreements will take effect in 2028 when current contracts expire, transferring greater direct control over asset planning and infrastructure management back to the airport operator.

Scope of the infrastructure overhaul

The €10 billion master plan, initially outlined in late 2025, targets overdue maintenance and funds major capital projects, including the construction of a new Terminal South and extensive renovations to existing piers. The five newly announced tenders divide the required work across terminals, technical installations, aprons, and operational buildings.

Specific assets covered under the upcoming Contracts include concrete aprons, passenger bridges, gate-based power, pre-conditioned air supply systems, and charging infrastructure. The scope also extends to technical rooms, retail units, climate control systems, and airport fire stations.

Royal Schiphol Group Chief Infrastructure Officer Bart Smolders described the initiative as the largest renewal and maintenance program in the airport’s history. The stated objective is to elevate the facility back to the standard of Europe’s leading aviation hubs.

Shifting the contracting model

The transition to new framework agreements in 2028 represents a change in Schiphol’s operational Strategy. Rather than fully outsourcing asset management, the airport intends to combine market expertise with increased internal direction and control.

Smolders noted that achieving the €10 billion renewal requires strong partners, with the tenders laying the foundation for long-term collaboration under this revised model. The nine-year duration of the framework agreements is designed to provide stability for these Partnerships while ensuring the airport maintains oversight of its critical infrastructure.

AirPro News analysis

We view this procurement strategy as part of a broader consolidation effort by Royal Schiphol Group to regain operational authority over its critical services. This mirrors recent moves on the ramp; in June 2026, the airport reduced its authorized ground handling companies from six to three following a public tender process. While that specific reduction faces legal challenges from outgoing providers, the overarching strategy is clear. By bringing asset planning and infrastructure management closer to the center, Schiphol is attempting to eliminate the fragmentation that can delay major modernization projects and complicate daily operations.

Sources: Royal Schiphol Group

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport (TKI), legally authorizing the North Texas facility to commence scheduled commercial passenger service.

Announced in an agency press release on September 24, 2026, the certification marks the first time a Texas airport has received a new Part 139 certificate since 2005. The regulatory approval officially transitions the airfield from a general aviation and corporate reliever facility into the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s third commercial passenger airport.

Federal infrastructure investments and terminal development

The certification follows a series of targeted federal investments designed to bring the airport up to commercial passenger standards. The FAA has directed $9 million toward infrastructure improvements at the McKinney facility, funding taxiway construction and upgrades to the federal contract air traffic control tower.

These physical improvements build upon a 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation initiative that installed high-speed fiber optic cable at the airport to enhance communication systems as part of a broader air traffic control modernization effort.

Dan Edwards, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, stated in the press release that the agency is building a stronger National Airspace System by providing modern and reliable local airports. He noted that accommodating commercial flights will provide the rapidly growing community around McKinney with greater access to air travel options.

To support the influx of passengers, the City of McKinney is finalizing a new 46,000-square-foot passenger terminal. McKinney National Airport Director of Aviation Dan Carley confirmed that construction is on schedule for the facility’s opening on November 11, 2026, noting the project is generating significant excitement within the local community.

Avelo Airlines establishes new North Texas base

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is currently the sole operator committed to serving the newly certified airport, positioning the facility as a secondary alternative to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL).

Avelo plans to base three 184-seat Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft at the airport, a move the airline expects will create approximately 150 local jobs. Inaugural flights are scheduled to coincide with the terminal opening on November 11, 2026.

The carrier is aggressively scaling its initial network from the airport. By December 2026, Avelo will serve nine nonstop destinations from McKinney. This includes four newly announced routes to Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, and New Orleans, which are scheduled to launch between December 16 and December 17, 2026.

“The response from North Texas has been extraordinary, and the bookings back that up,” Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said regarding the initial demand for the new routes.

AirPro News analysis

The issuance of a new Part 139 certificate is a rare event in modern U.S. aviation. The 21-year gap since the last such certification in Texas underscores the high regulatory and financial barriers to entry for converting general aviation fields into commercial passenger facilities.

For Avelo Airlines, securing a dedicated base at McKinney National Airport provides a strategic foothold in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing and most affluent suburban markets in the United States. By operating out of a secondary airport, the carrier avoids the slot constraints, taxi delays, and high operational costs associated with DFW and DAL. If the model proves successful, we expect it may encourage other municipalities with underutilized reliever airports to pursue Part 139 certification to attract ultra-low-cost carriers seeking uncongested infrastructure.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration

Edinburgh Airports (EDI) has unveiled a £500 million ($670 million) capital investment program designed to expand its terminal footprint by 60 percent and add eight new departure gates over the next five years.

Announced in a press release on September 21, 2026, the multi-year development marks the largest infrastructure investment in the Scottish hub’s history. The project aims to accommodate growing passenger volumes while modernizing facilities under the ownership of VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). According to reporting by Aviation Week, the airport handled approximately 17 million passengers in 2025.

Terminal expansion and construction timeline

The cornerstone of the initial development phase is the South East Pier Expansion (SEPEX). Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty secured the approximately £65 million contract for this phase in May 2025.

The two-story expansion will provide eight additional departure gates, new aircraft stands, and upgraded passenger amenities. According to the airport’s announcement, this first phase of the development is scheduled to fully open to passengers in the summer of 2027.

Nick Rowan, Managing Director for Scotland at Balfour Beatty, stated the company is proud to help deliver the infrastructure required for the airport’s next chapter of growth. A spokesperson for VINCI Airports and GIP noted the £500 million investment underscores their long-term commitment to increasing capacity and consolidating the facility’s role as Scotland’s primary international gateway.

Economic impact and leadership transition

The capital injection aligns with a period of significant transition for the airport’s executive team. On October 1, 2026, Mark Johnston, currently Chief Operating Officer at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), will succeed Gordon Dewar as Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport. Dewar is stepping down after 14 years in the role, a tenure that saw annual passenger traffic nearly double from 9 million in 2012.

Dewar described the £500 million program as the biggest investment in the airport’s history, adding that the growth has cemented the facility’s position as Scotland’s busiest and best-connected airport.

The development also carries broader regional implications. An independent report published by BiGGAR Economics indicated that Edinburgh Airport generated £2.7 billion in economic value for Scotland in 2025 and supported nearly 44,000 jobs. First Minister of Scotland John Swinney stated the investment will support international connections and help drive regional economic growth.

AirPro News analysis

We view this £500 million commitment by VINCI Airports and GIP as a strong indicator of long-term confidence in the Scottish aviation market. By expanding the terminal footprint by 60 percent, Edinburgh Airport is proactively addressing the capacity constraints that often plague growing regional hubs. The timing of the announcement, arriving just days before Mark Johnston assumes the Chief Executive role, provides the incoming leadership with a clear, fully funded mandate for infrastructure modernization. The addition of eight new gates will likely allow the airport to attract new airline operators and expand its route network, particularly in the transatlantic and European leisure markets.

Sources: Edinburgh Airport