George fully integrates airline perspectives into terminal design, resulting in facilities that satisfy both passengers and operators. He joined ArchTam in October 2024 to continue modernizing airports while keeping airline services and guest experience at the forefront.

Why did you join the aviation industry? What about it motivates and inspires you?

I joined aviation almost by chance through an internship with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As soon as I stepped into the industry in 2002 — right after 9/11 — I was hooked. At that time, air travel was under scrutiny, and I felt driven to be part of the next generation making it safer and stronger.

What inspires me today is knowing aviation is a global economic engine and a local community driver. Every project we deliver creates jobs, business opportunities and better connections for those who rely on airports every day.

I often think about the employees who make air travel possible, from ticket agents to ramp crews. Designing terminals with their needs in mind leads to better service, and as a frequent flyer myself, it’s deeply rewarding to see friends and family use the facilities I’ve helped bring to life.

What are some of the challenges associated with airport redevelopment projects in major urban transportation hubs, and how have you navigated those complexities in your career?

The biggest challenge is working in a live environment. Airlines don’t cut schedules for construction, so we need to keep systems moving. That takes clear communication across teams, creative thinking in the design phase and precise execution in the field.

Scoping is another complexity — efficiency and long-term viability must come first. On multi-billion-dollar programs, it’s essential to distinguish needs from nice-to-haves. I listen carefully to end users and guide discussions toward solutions that protect operations and avoid scope creep.

With Delta’s redevelopment at JFK, for example, we worked around peak traffic flows to minimize impacts, protecting revenue and the traveler journey. When functional realities are aligned early and clearly communicated, then contractors can plan more effectively and the entire program runs more smoothly.

What are the benefits of airlines playing a major role in airport terminal redevelopments?

Airlines are at the center of the guest experience. From the curb to the gate — check-in, security, boarding and in-flight — airlines shape nearly every touchpoint, uniquely positioning them to influence terminal design in ways that address travelers’ needs, improve service efficiency and reflect their brand identities.

Airlines and passengers also have overlapping interests, so designing with input from the airlines means better service for passengers, too. Their involvement ensures terminals feel welcoming to travelers who trust their preferred airline’s brand. The real challenge is aligning designers, contractors and delivery teams with the operational demands of live airports.

My role is to bring the airline perspective forward, ensuring their priorities are clear from day one. When all stakeholders’ needs are communicated clearly, redevelopments create value for everyone: seamless transit for travelers, stronger operations for airlines and more resilient performance for airports.

As the industry continues to evolve, what possibilities are you excited for moving forward?

I’m most excited about technologies that foster a frictionless travel experience. Imagine predictive systems that integrate with your phone, automatically booking your ride to the airport based on traffic. Some of this technology exists today, but a unified ecosystem would transform the voyage.

I also envision new security models such as advanced screening portals that detect prohibited items as you walk through, eliminating the need for removing clothing at checkpoints. Reducing stress and hassle around security would make air travel smoother and more enjoyable for millions of people.

Finally, I look forward to aviation that operates with minimal environmental impacts. Energy-efficient technologies that eliminate greenhouse gas emissions are critical to the industry’s future. For me, the ultimate goal is building airports that are safe, sustainable and simple to use — places where the journey is as positive as the destination.

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Thomas Amoia joined ArchTam in May 2024 as vice president and senior transportation program manager in the New York Metro. Previously serving as the director of major capital projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Thomas brings more than 30 years of construction experience on multi-billion-dollar capital programs.

A former program director for Delta Air Lines’ JFK redevelopment, George Guillaume joined ArchTam’s New York Metro team in October 2024. He now applies his 20-plus years of aviation industry experience as senior aviation director and program manager serving airports in New York and New Jersey.

Air travel is booming. Global air passenger traffic is expected to double over the next 30 years, reaching about nine billion travelers annually by 2055. This is a pivotal moment to modernize airport infrastructure to meet growing needs and ensure long-term efficiency.  

Growth is complicated — and expensive. Upgrading airports presents major challenges for agencies, developers, airlines and constructors. We understand the complexities of airport modernization and apply our expertise in strategic financing, construction and dedication to the customer experience to create airport terminal designs that are shaping aviation’s future.  

Propelling progress

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that U.S. airports will need more than $150 billion in infrastructure investments over the next five years. To meet this demand, agencies are turning to public-private partnerships (P3s) as financing models. In a P3, private investors finance, develop and may also operate the project under a long-term lease before returning it to the public agency.

P3 developers navigate financing complexities, revenue development, airline coordination and construction oversight. Developed by JFK Millenium Partners, the new 1.3-million-square-foot, 10-gate Terminal 6 at New York City’s JFK International Airport — where we serve as design-builder — is a prime example of a P3 in action.

JFK Millenium Partners secured private investment that established funding for Terminal 6 in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), the agency/owner. Initial coordination between the developers and airlines resulted in a tailored design that optimized gate configurations and devised services that meet traveler and operational needs. Early airline commitments and long-term commercial strategies established reliable revenue and financial viability.

ArchTam’s portfolio spans the entire PANYNJ network, reimagining terminal experiences across all the agency’s airports. Our aviation team delivered on-site construction management services for Delta Air Line’s Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and provided program and project management support services for LGA’s redevelopment program. We also provided program management for Newark Liberty International Airport’s recently completed Terminal A. And as part of a design-build team, we’ve completed critical airside infrastructure work such as Teterboro Airport’s air traffic control tower. In short, our aviation teams work collaboratively across all phases of development, design and construction to deliver spaces that move people efficiently and with purpose.

Faster, smarter construction

Many developers are turning to alternative delivery methods such as design-build, progressive design-build and construction manager at risk (CMAR) to maximize capital efficiency. Early collaboration, inherent in alternative delivery projects, offers greater control over budget, schedule and risk, resolving issues before construction begins and reducing delays — key advantages for complex operational sites like airports.

Our deep experience with alternative delivery has supported the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) since 2005, advancing major capital programs at San Diego International Airport (SAN). Under a PMCM contract, we helped develop procurement strategies, structure contracts and coordinate phased work to maintain operations.

In 2013, through the CMAR model and phased construction, SDCRAA delivered the 526,000-square-foot, 10-gate Terminal West expansion at SAN early and under budget. That same approach now guides the 1.2 million-square-foot, 30-gate Terminal 1 Replacement Program. With 19 gates opening in fall 2025, travelers are already benefiting from improved amenities and a more seamless airport journey — part of SDCRAA’s commitment to improving the travel experience while modernizing critical infrastructure.

From “worst” to first

LaGuardia Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once infamous for outdated terminals, LGA’s $8 billion redevelopment — the first complete rebuild of a U.S. airport in over 25 years — is setting a new standard for efficiency, comfort and innovation. LGA’s Terminal B received UNESCO’s Prix Versailles as the world’s best new terminal in 2021, and since then the airport’s reputation as a world-class travel hub has continued to grow. Skytrax, a leading international airport rating organization, named Terminal B as the world’s best terminal in 2023 and awarded it five stars, a first for a North American airport terminal. And in 2025 Skytrax proclaimed LGA to be North America’s best airport for domestic and short-haul international travel. 

Our team provided program and project management support services for the centerpiece of this 10-year airport program, replacing LGA’s outdated, 50-year-old Central Terminal Building. Our work included overseeing major upgrades to roads, bridges and utilities through the capital infrastructure program and contributing to the runway safety enhancement program, which extended and strengthened key runway sections.

The resulting 1.2 million-square-foot, 35-gate Terminal B — developed with extensive airline input — provides modern amenities and addresses specific operational needs. Outdated systems gave way to technologies like biometric screening to improve the traveler experience. Expanded lounges, larger gate areas, and broadened dining and shopping options prioritized customer comfort. An updated runway layout advanced airline operations and minimized pushback delays.

While working closely with the PANYNJ and its public-private partner LaGuardia Gateway Partners on Terminal B, we also coordinated with the Delta Air Lines team leading the redevelopment of terminals C and D to ensure smooth collaboration where infrastructure and operations intersected.

A talent trifecta

With a long record of expertise, our ArchTam team brings unique insights, skills and capabilities to airport redevelopment across the U.S. and around the world.  

The post Meeting a moving target: Upgrading for the next generation of air travel appeared first on Blog.