With over 100 aviation projects completed, including Heathrow Airport T3 and T4, our experts can help you address the complex challenges in any aviation expansion or new-build. We recognise the importance of engaging air passengers from the moment they arrive, as a positive passenger experience will encourage return visits, loyalty, and greater potential for revenue growth.

Airport consulting

Our airport and aviation consultants are a highly experienced group of engineers, architects, airport planners and analysts. Bringing together this broad spectrum of experience enables the aviation consulting team to provide a comprehensive range of client-focussed capabilities across multiple project types and phases.

We support clients on strategic advisory, airport design and delivery projects around the world, with a proud track record in the sector steeped in an ethos of constant innovation, accountability and responsible development principles. The airport consulting team consistently delivers with this approach in mind, applying their skills to many of the world’s most iconic airport and terminal projects.

Airport design

Whether our engineers and consultants are working on an airport refurbishment or a brand new hub, clients benefit from our deep understanding of air travel at the design stage. Our airport design experts are able to draw on their roles as airport and airline clients, consultants, systems integrators/manufacturers and contractors to help stakeholders minimise risk, maximise financial returns and create an unrivalled airport user experience. We are also skilled in using a range of sophisticated simulation tools e.g. SmartMove – our in-house software, and commercial tools like Legion and Exodus.

Certified in LEED, BREEAM, and Estidama, our experienced team will support airport owners and operators in achieving internationally recognised awards in sustainability, reducing energy consumption and operating costs. Recent energy analysis at fifteen European airports allows us to reduce carbon impact and provide alternative renewable energies, wherever possible. At the forefront of low energy design, we strive to deliver sustainable airports that do not cost the earth.

Our specialist aviation services


  • New airport design
  • Airport refurbishments and extensions
  • Passenger management and people flow assessments
  • Airport infrastructure security
  • Prefab and offsite modular construction
  • Airport sustainability

Airports, aviation and the climate crisis

Buro Happold is committed to reducing our own carbon footprint, as well as using our expertise to achieve environmentally sustainable solutions within the aviation sector. Our designers, engineers and consultants are well placed to support airport clients on their own respective journeys to net zero carbon and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

As a practice, we understand that any new development of airport and terminal facilities should consider the recyclability and energy efficiency of construction and operation from the outset. It should also consider the optimal embodied carbon content measured as a proportion per passenger (CO2e / per passenger).

Read our full statement on our airports, aviation and the climate crisis via the link below

Project highlights

Working together for 25 years to realise the world’s most efficient airport

Our relationship with Heathrow Airport has spanned 25 years, and seen us complete over 300 projects – ranging from the complete redevelopment of Terminals 3 and 4, to the realisation of a new transport interchange and satellite pier at Terminal 2. We have been selected to continue our journey with the UK’s busiest airport, working as part of an integrated team to design and deliver an ambitious expansion programme that aims to establish Heathrow as the best connected, most efficient and most sustainable airport in the world.

An aerial view of international travellers gathering around the indoor waterfall, almost hidden amongst the greenery at Jewel Changi Airport

Enriching the airport environment to create an unrivalled passenger experience

The Jewel at Changi Airport elevates the passenger experience by reaching beyond the realm of aviation to unite Singapore’s international airport with city life beyond. Beneath its glittering glass dome, bespoke aviation facilities combine with luxury retail outlets and unique attractions – such as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall – to create a compelling lifestyle destination for travellers and residents alike.

In doing so, The Jewel will boost Singapore’s reputation as a leading international air hub, draw new revenue in from the city itself, and give Changi Airport the edge amid intensifying competition in the global aviation sector.

Delivering the largest airport development in the UK

This £1 billion transformation project will see Terminal 2 more than double in size. Buro Happold is the civil, structural and facade engineer for the main terminal building, pier, baggage hall, car parks and site wide infrastructure. We are currently developing concepts for prefabricated and pre-assembled structures to reduce build time and cost, as well as a terminal facade that can withstand bomb blast.

Due for staged completion between 2020-2023, this ambitious development will allow Manchester Airport to accommodate 10 million additional passengers in the next decade, and double airport jobs to 40,000 within 30 years.