Fast Five with Frank Scremin
Airport Operations, Sustainability, and Enhancing the Guest Experience
What are some of the biggest challenges in managing a network of airports? We sat down with Frank Scremin, Vice President of Global Operational Services at Vantage Group, for a behind-the-scenes look at airport operations.
Frank supports Vantage network airports with everything from operational compliance and best practices to guest service excellence and sustainability, and also leads Vantage’s external airport advisory and consulting services.
Our fast five interview covers:
- Three strategic sustainability pillars
- Emerging airport trends
- What made the redesign of LaGuardia Terminal B so successful
- How airport infrastructure connects to the overall guest experience
- Frank’s favorite part of working at Vantage
What does sustainability mean for you?
Our goal is to reach Net Zero for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions within our airports by the end of 2029. To get there, we’ve implemented three strategic pillars: Use less, use differently, and make more.
For example, at our airport in Moncton, we’re investigating a biomass heating system that uses forestry byproducts to generate heat and hot water for the facility. Innovative practices like these — built in partnership with the airports’ surrounding communities — are key to getting us closer to our sustainability goals.
What trends do you see emerging for airports and how can Vantage Advisory Services help?
There’s a huge opportunity for mid-size airports that serve between 2 million and 10 million passengers. We’re seeing infrastructure renewal and investment in this market, but these airports often have limited internal capabilities to deliver it — that’s where Vantage’s Advisory Services comes in. Many companies offer consulting services, but at Vantage we also operate our own network of airports and transportation centers so we can provide expertise based on our insights and real-world experience.
What drove success for Vantage’s work with LaGuardia Terminal B?
We take an integrated approach to airport development projects and that makes all the difference. We get the right people involved early in the project so we can align around a project vision and make decisions that support delivering on that vision. That way, we can move design, operating, and financing plans in tandem toward a shared goal.
LaGuardia Terminal B demonstrated how this works at a larger scale — and it proved how our team’s creativity can work to solve complex challenges. Our team’s design solution, commercial plan, airline engagement strategy, and operating approach was key to our success and allowed us to deliver a transformational project on time and on budget.
How does airport infrastructure connect back to the overall guest experience?
It all comes back to integration. Starting with a clear vision for the project allows us to make design decisions, build operational plans, and lay out cohesive guest service strategies. At LaGuardia B, we wanted to deliver a terminal experience that everyone would love. At every step of the project, we used that vision as a filter to ensure each decision would help drive that experiential reaction.
We’re building infrastructure — but we’re also bringing it to life. Throughout the journey, we consider how to build and design effectively but we also focus on the operational details that create a memorable and unique experience for our guests. Integrating all of those factors is the secret to success.
What’s your favorite thing about working with Vantage?
The best part of my job is the incredible people I get to work with. They’re smart and dedicated to their work, but they’re also fun to collaborate with. On top of that, I love being able to see the impact we have on the communities we operate in. Airports play a huge role in connecting people, and seeing that in action is rewarding.
Resource Hub
Discover How Vantage Elevates Transportation Experiences
At Vantage, we’re launching innovative airport redesign projects and reimagining the future of transportation. See More in Our Resource Hub
Transforming Transportation, Together
Let’s partner to bring your ideas to life, building sustainable, connected airports and transportation centers together.