Adding some more intricate customization of the area around the airport like from Cities in Motion could also make it to be a bit of a more 'authentic' experience. Apart from that, adding plane stands, jetways and appropriate maintenance equipment to cope with rising demands of more space for more business from more airlines would be neat. Adding in different shapes, sections, and even individual or grouped pieces to the areas inside the terminal to amp up security, expand check in services, provide entertainment and allow for the flow of passengers through the terminal to be seamless. It would be pretty neat to see maybe a more in-depth customization of the airport terminal than the first airport tycoon.
I would really love to see a game dev make a comeback of this entire franchise. I remember playing it back when I was a kid, and sadly, the most in-depth in the series was the 1st Airport Tycoon/Air Mogul/Airport Inc back from 2000. In case you don't know about the franchise, it was an airport management game in which you build an airport, and manage it's business and security, while expanding your area/terminals and business. I don't know how many of you guys played the Airport Tycoon series.