Behind The Scenes Of America's Busiest Travel Day: Leopardo Construction's Role In Building The Future Of Aviation

On June 22, the Transportation Security Administration experienced the busiest day in its history, screening more than 3.1 million travelers. While passengers moved swiftly through terminals across the country, the unseen heroes of the aviation industry — including general contractors, architects and engineers — played a critical role in making such a feat possible.

Among those leading the charge is Leopardo Construction, a Chicago-based firm with a national footprint and a deep bench of aviation construction expertise. With a reputation for tackling complex, high-stakes airport projects without disrupting operations, Leopardo has established itself as a trusted partner for some of the busiest and most demanding airports and airlines in the country.

“Airports never sleep. They’re live environments that demand absolute precision and coordination,” said Kaylee Knorr, Leopardo’s director of business development for aviation. “That’s exactly where our team thrives — in the pressure and complexity of mission-critical spaces.”

Building In Active, High-Stakes Environments

Leopardo’s work in the aviation sector is defined by its ability to deliver projects in active airport environments — where safety, schedule and seamless passenger experience are nonnegotiable. Whether it’s executing infrastructure upgrades, completing terminal improvements or constructing hangars and high-end fixed-base operators, Leopardo’s Aviation team is trained to execute every detail meticulously, minimize disruption and prioritize stakeholder coordination.

One standout example is the firm’s recent project for Southwest Airlines at Chicago Midway International Airport, where Leopardo served as the general contractor for a major ramp information and gate display system installation. The project scope included the installation of structural steel and large-scale display systems across 32 gates, along with critical infrastructure upgrades to support arrival and departure operations.

To avoid operational disruptions, Leopardo worked across multiple shifts, executing a strategic phasing plan in lockstep with Southwest Airlines, the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration. The upgrades included 28-plus miles of new low-voltage and electrical infrastructure, air-blown fiber and a new speaker system, all installed while maintaining continuous airport operations.

“We coordinated every gate shutdown, crane pick and jet bridge tie-in with airline and airport operations,” Preconstruction Manager Matt Pederson said. “The level of detail and collaboration required on a job like this is extensive, and it’s where we excel.”

Deep Aviation Expertise, Delivered Nationwide

What sets Leopardo apart is its people, a dedicated team committed to being a transparent, dependable partner that brings the same level of precision and care to every project, big or small, nationwide.

The firm supports aviation clients across the U.S. through a centralized platform that offers real-time cost and budget tracking, empowering airport stakeholders to make informed decisions at any stage of the project, no matter the location.

“Air travel is evolving fast, with both private and commercial airlines. Bigger planes, limited space, growing passenger demand and tighter regulations are resulting in increased coordination and forward thinking,” Leopardo Vice President of Aviation Ryan Haase said. “Airports need construction partners who understand these dynamics and can build accordingly without impacting operations. That’s exactly what we do.”

Relationships First: A Team Built On Trust

Across every project, Leopardo emphasizes early engagement, transparent communication and true partnership. Its teams work hand in hand with airport operations, airline partners, trades and design teams from the earliest phases of design and preconstruction, helping to identify constraints, solve problems proactively and map out phasing strategies that reduce risk.

“We don’t just show up to build — we show up to partner,” Knorr said. “From preconstruction through final turnover, we’re hands-on, coordinating closely with stakeholders, anticipating regulatory and operational challenges, and keeping projects on track without disrupting day-to-day operations.” 

This level of collaboration is especially critical in aviation, where successful delivery depends on seamless alignment across airport authorities, operations, security and tenant stakeholders. From landside to airside, Leopardo navigates complex phasing, night work and ever-evolving safety protocols with precision.

“Our longstanding industry relationships — built on trust, transparency and consistent performance — allow us to serve as a true partner in even the most high-stakes, operationally sensitive environments,” Knorr said. 

Big Enough To Lead, Nimble Enough To Adapt

Knorr said Leopardo’s specialized aviation team uses industry expertise, lessons learned and value engineering to quickly solve challenges and adapt to the evolving needs of its aviation clients. They are backed by a 400-plus-person company and relationships with national trade partners, allowing Leopardo to take on a range of airport projects.

“Leopardo brings a balance of scale, agility and aviation-specific expertise to every project,” Knorr said. “Whether we’re delivering a major terminal renovation, a new hangar or a modest refresh in a tertiary market, our approach doesn’t change. Our team shows up with the same energy, attention to detail and deep commitment to client goals. We pride ourselves on being a true partner — one our clients can rely on in any market, on any project, regardless of size or complexity.”

That programmatic delivery model enables Leopardo to serve clients across their systems nationwide, supporting projects ranging from terminal renovations and hangars to cargo facilities and critical infrastructure. This is all done while delivering cost savings, accelerated timelines, streamlined efficiencies and maintaining the responsiveness and craftsmanship of a local partner.

“While each location presents its own set of challenges — from varying permitting protocols and AHJ requirements to unique local conditions — our national presence and experience working in over 20 airports equips us to navigate these complexities effectively,” Haase said. “We understand what it takes to keep projects moving, replicate success across markets and maintain a consistent client experience. Schedule is always top of mind.”

Flying Forward Together

At a time when the demands on airports are higher than ever, Leopardo Construction is helping aviation clients rise to the challenge — building smarter, faster and more collaboratively across the country.

From upgraded gates and modernized terminals to hangars, FBOs and thoughtfully executed infrastructure, every detail reflects the same commitment: a team dedicated to keeping airports running — and passengers moving — with precision, care and purpose.

“We’re proud to play our part in a system that connects people, commerce and communities,” Haase said. “It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly and a mission we’re passionate about every day.”

For project inquiries, contact: 

Kaylee Knorr
Director of Business Development, Aviation
KTKnorr@leopardo.com

Ryan Haase
Vice President, Aviation
RNHaase@leopardo.com 

This article was produced in collaboration between Leopardo and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.