News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Gateway airport expansion on time for holidays
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
A $3 million expansion of the passenger terminal at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is now complete, in time for the holiday season, according to airport spokesman Brian Sexton.
It took two and a half months to build the 10,080-square-foot annex building, which stands next to the existing passenger terminal. The new building will seat 500 passengers. An extra 300 parking spaces also will be available in the overflow parking lot to cater to the packed flights expected this week.
"The expansion was done to deal with the holiday rush, to alleviate the secured area congestion," Sexton said.
Allegiant Air needed more space in light of additional flights and loaned the money to Williams Gateway Airport Authority to facilitate that. The loan will be recovered, with $1 million in interest, by charging passengers who buy a ticket with Allegiant, a nominal fee.
"It's a win-win, because Allegiant will get a million dollars in interest, the airport gets a terminal expansion, and it's all completely dependent on Allegiant to get it paid back through their passengers," Sexton said.
The airline expects to recover the money in three to 10 years.
A year ago, the airport handled 26 flights. This year, more than 40 flights are expected.
The annex building had an informal opening Monday. A grand opening ceremony is planned in the near future, Sexton said.
An outdoor courtyard seating area past the security screening area is part of the expanded terminal.
"It's unique that you can wait for your flight inside or outside," Sexton said.
Allegiant has doubled its flights from 26 a week to 52 a week beginning in 2009. Passenger activity is expected to nearly double to 600,000 in 2009.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: