Imogenia International Airport (IMO) is the primary transport hub for the small but wealthy island city state of Imogenia. The island of Imogenia is located centrally in the South China Sea making it a prime sea and airport hub for both regional and long distance traffic requiring a stopover. It is on the same latitude as and about 450 miles east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and about 350 miles west of the island of Palawan, Phillipines. It is about 650 miles north of the Equator.
History of Imogenia
Inauguration - Independence
In 1823 the British East-India Company established a trading post on the island of Imogenia. Before this date it had been a Chinese possession, though one that had not been heavily settled or civilised. Along with Singapore the British used it as a strategic trading post along the spice routes. Gradually a strong trading community grew up and Imogou City became an important regional centre. After Japanese occupation, in the Second World War, Imogenia reverted to British rule but merged with Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak in 1963 to form the United States of Malaysia. In the postwar period it's central location in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam made it a valuable hub for seafreight and international commerce. After the founding of the United States of Malaysia Imogenia's air transport services were provided as part of the network of Malaysian Airways and this continued after the independence of Singapore in 1963, Imogenia itself in 1965, and the creation of the joint MSA (Malaysia-Singapore airlines) operation.
1970-Present Day
After the split of MSA, in 1972, Imogenia unusually decided not to form its own airline and instead continue to allow the majority of services to be run by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airways System (MAS). SIA concentrated on long haul routes whilst MAS took over most regional services. Traffic and economic growth remained strong necessitating the development of a new airport facility to take over from the original ex-air force base that dated from WW2. Imogenia International (IMO) opened in 1978 with a single runway and three piers all capable of handling 747s. It has since grown to be one of the busiest airports in South East Asia despite not having its 'own' home-based carrier.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) remains a major operator at the airport basing between ten and twelve aircraft at IMO, operating a range of regional and long haul services. Malaysia Airways System also continues as a major operator on a number of Malaysian and regional destinations. Liberalisation of the air transport market in the late 1980s has allowed a pair of new entrants into the market to compete with the established pairing. Cathay Pacific began basing several aircraft at Imogenia in 1990 and has since grown its operation to cover a number of long range destinations. The most recent entrant into the airport is Air Macau which began basing two airbuses at Imogenia during 1996 to operate regional services. Chinese carriers also have a strong presence due to the high percentage of ethnic Chinese people resident in the islands.
Inauguration - Independence
In 1823 the British East-India Company established a trading post on the island of Imogenia. Before this date it had been a Chinese possession, though one that had not been heavily settled or civilised. Along with Singapore the British used it as a strategic trading post along the spice routes. Gradually a strong trading community grew up and Imogou City became an important regional centre. After Japanese occupation, in the Second World War, Imogenia reverted to British rule but merged with Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak in 1963 to form the United States of Malaysia. In the postwar period it's central location in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam made it a valuable hub for seafreight and international commerce. After the founding of the United States of Malaysia Imogenia's air transport services were provided as part of the network of Malaysian Airways and this continued after the independence of Singapore in 1963, Imogenia itself in 1965, and the creation of the joint MSA (Malaysia-Singapore airlines) operation.
1970-Present Day
After the split of MSA, in 1972, Imogenia unusually decided not to form its own airline and instead continue to allow the majority of services to be run by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airways System (MAS). SIA concentrated on long haul routes whilst MAS took over most regional services. Traffic and economic growth remained strong necessitating the development of a new airport facility to take over from the original ex-air force base that dated from WW2. Imogenia International (IMO) opened in 1978 with a single runway and three piers all capable of handling 747s. It has since grown to be one of the busiest airports in South East Asia despite not having its 'own' home-based carrier.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) remains a major operator at the airport basing between ten and twelve aircraft at IMO, operating a range of regional and long haul services. Malaysia Airways System also continues as a major operator on a number of Malaysian and regional destinations. Liberalisation of the air transport market in the late 1980s has allowed a pair of new entrants into the market to compete with the established pairing. Cathay Pacific began basing several aircraft at Imogenia in 1990 and has since grown its operation to cover a number of long range destinations. The most recent entrant into the airport is Air Macau which began basing two airbuses at Imogenia during 1996 to operate regional services. Chinese carriers also have a strong presence due to the high percentage of ethnic Chinese people resident in the islands.
Airfield Layout
Imogenia International Airport was opened in September 1978. The original construct, Terminal 1, has been heavily modified and now consists of a central terminal and four semi-autonomous piers (A-D). The original twin central piers (B & C) have been extended and rebuilt (reopening in 1985 & 1989 respectively). Pier A, on the eastern side, was extended in 1987 while Pier D gained a large satellite terminal extension, which opened in 1994.
Within Terminal 1 all of the piers (except the majority of Pier D) are joined by a single multi-track monorail system which transits passengers both within and outside of the main terminal buildings.
Between 1991 and 1995 Terminal 2 was constructed on a site to the east of Terminal 1. The original north facing runway (36) is to be joined by a second runway scheduled to open in 1999.
Imogenia International Airport was opened in September 1978. The original construct, Terminal 1, has been heavily modified and now consists of a central terminal and four semi-autonomous piers (A-D). The original twin central piers (B & C) have been extended and rebuilt (reopening in 1985 & 1989 respectively). Pier A, on the eastern side, was extended in 1987 while Pier D gained a large satellite terminal extension, which opened in 1994.
Within Terminal 1 all of the piers (except the majority of Pier D) are joined by a single multi-track monorail system which transits passengers both within and outside of the main terminal buildings.
Between 1991 and 1995 Terminal 2 was constructed on a site to the east of Terminal 1. The original north facing runway (36) is to be joined by a second runway scheduled to open in 1999.
Date Setting
Imogenia the model is set in the year 1997 because:
Imogenia the model is set in the year 1997 because:
- Schabak made a wide range of models during this period that could have been realistically seen at the airport.
- There was an interesting range of aircraft types in service as second generation widebodies (A330, A340, 767-300 and 777) were beginning to replace first generation widebodies (A300, L1011 Tristar and DC10).
- Liberalisation of the Chinese market had seen a proliferation of Chinese carriers, compared to only CAAC in the 80s and consolidation in the early 2000s.
Gate Layout
There are, depending on gate utilisation, between 56 and 58 gates available at IMO. Swing gates on Pier C account for the variation. All 56 standard gates are served by airbridges. Singapore Airlines (SQ) and its Star Alliance partners make up the primary traffic at Piers 1A and 1B. Pier 1C is the domain mainly of Chinese carriers and Malaysian Airlines (MH) whilst 1D takes most of the rest and any Skyteam aligned carriers. Terminal 2 is the home of airlines in the Oneworld alliance, particularly Cathay Pacific (CX). |