Nashville news

We report on some of the companies that are helping transform Nashville International Airport into an even more modern, passenger friendly gateway.

BNA’s dynamic glass

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a major through-point and economic engine for the Middle Tennessee region.

Its BNA Vision master plan is transforming the airport into a more modern, efficient and comfortable space, including a terminal renovation, an on-airport hotel, roadway improvements and more.

BNA’s Concourse D has high ceilings and a large western exposure, which could lead to undesired heat and glare from the windows.

As a result, the design team needed to balance those concerns with the desire to offer passengers (and employees) lots of natural light and outdoor views.

Robert Ramsey, BNA’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, says: “We chose SageGlass electrochromic glass for Concourse D because of the orientation of the concourse and the large expanse of windows that face the western exposure. This smart glass is programmable and makes such a big difference, whether it is daytime or night-time and fully tinted or at a lower tint setting, it helps create a very dynamic environment.”

The electrochromic glass auto-tints to reduce glare and heat, and is a key component of the “modern, relaxed environment” in the concourse.

On the menu

New retail/F&B additions brought to Nashville International Airport in recent months by concessions developer, Fraport USA, include Tootsies and Tennessee Brew Works – both of which are big on food, drink and live music.

They have also been joined by a Green Beans Coffee Co outlet, which in addition to coffee and freshly baked pastries, is also handily located next to seating from where customers can enjoy live music performances.

“Tootsies and Tennessee Brew Works represent the pride and joy of Tennessee,” enthuses Matt Jennings, vice president of Fraport USA subsidiary, Fraport Tennessee, the manager and developer of the airport’s new concessions programme.

Fraport’s 1-800-ITS-FAIR pricing guarantee ensures customers pay the same amount for their purchases at BNA’s shops and restaurants as they would at a similar site outside the airport.

“We are committed to this programme and serving BNA travellers well throughout the development,” adds Jennings.

Smart parking at BNA

Park Assist’s M4 smart-sensor Parking Guidance System (PGS) has been installed in the new parking garages at Nashville International Airport.

The colour-coded M4 smart-sensor system guides drivers through each facility to vacant spaces using red and green lights to indicate occupancy, guaranteeing reduced search and park times, and decreased traffic.

The installation includes Find Your Car, which enables travellers to quickly locate their vehicle upon returning to the facility by entering all or part of their license plate number into a Park Assist kiosk or mobile app.

Flexible IT solutions

Amadeus is supporting Nashville International Airport’s needs through its technology for airport passenger services and its Airport Operational Database and Resource Management System, in order to plan, schedule and allocate facility resources such as ticket counters, gates and baggage carousels.

BNA now enjoys the latest flexible technology for check-in counters and kiosks. With the new kiosks provided by ICM Airport Technics, an Amadeus company, passengers have the ability to manage their own check-in process without the need to visit the check-in counter serviced by an airline agent, reducing face-to-face interaction, avoiding queues and expediting their journey.

Passengers on some airlines will be able to check in, print their boarding pass and bag tags without going to a specific airline kiosk.

In the future, these kiosks can be upgraded to provide contactless services as well as biometric features.