Airport Check-in: In translation, on arrival

SEATTLE -- With international arrival traffic up 16% from 2007, Seattle-Tacoma has seen increasing demand for its phone translation service.

The airport's translation phones — equipped with two receivers for three-way conversation — are installed at all 22 immigration booths, plus in the main terminal and baggage-claim areas. California-based Language Line Services, which employs 3,000 translators for 170 languages, runs the service.

Immigration officials who interview arriving passengers use the service most frequently, says Sue Hansen-Smith, Sea-Tac's customer service manager. "I don't know what we'd do without it. It'd really slow down the (immigration clearing) process."

Korean is the most common language requested at the airport, followed by Mandarin, Khmer (Cambodian) and Vietnamese.

HOUSTON

These Texas rangers ride for the skies

Those horseback riders you may spot at George Bush Intercontinental aren't simply out for fun. In a unique approach to airport security, a group of volunteers known as the Airport Rangers has been patrolling airport grounds since 2003. About 500 active riders roam the 10,000-acre perimeter to alert airport officials of any suspicious or illegal activities. The volunteers also clear trails of debris and other foreign objects.

Volunteers must provide their own horse and must undergo a background check. Once approved, they can ride 25 miles of trails around the airport. "Having the Airport Rangers at Bush Intercontinental has worked for both horse lovers and (the airport). We get the extra level of security, and the volunteers have plenty of room to ride," says Rick Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System.

BOSTON

Tarmac material is first in USA to go green

Boston Logan says it will be the first U.S. airport to use environmentally friendly asphalt for repaving a runway.

The so-called warm mix asphalt is heated to between 250 and 275 degrees, up to 75 degrees less than is required for traditional "hot mix" asphalt.

"Warm mix uses 20% less energy to make, produces 20% fewer greenhouse emissions when applied, and allows us to use a higher percentage of recycled asphalt pavement in the final product," said Massport CEO Thomas Kinton in a statement.

The compound is already in use at European airports, but Boston Logan first tested it on a taxiway and other airfield areas before receiving permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to use it on a runway. If the asphalt performs as expected, the airport will likely use it for future paving projects.

INDIANAPOLIS

Local cuisine leads lineup at new terminal

Indianapolis International has announced the lineup of retail stores and restaurants at its new main terminal that will open in the fall. In keeping with the trend of airports adopting local flavors and themes, the airport will be the launch site of the first Indianapolis 500 Grill. The sit-down restaurant will include a "museum" about the famed auto race, the airport says.

A local museum store, Cultural Crossroads, will have an outlet at the airport with merchandise from eight area museums, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Other restaurants with local ties include Harry & Izzy's, Café Patachou, Shapiro's Delicatessen and 96th Street Steakburgers.

National brands will include Starbucks, McDonald's, Brooks Bros., Borders, Au Bon Pain and Cold Stone Creamery. The new 1.2 million-square-foot terminal, with two 20-gate concourses, will open on Oct. 28.

Every Monday, we report on the latest news in airports across the USA. See something noteworthy in your travels? E-mail your suggestions to ryu@usatoday.com.