In an airport that served approximately 12.8 million travelers in 2018, the impending opening of a brand-new terminal (scheduled for May 15) is big news.
With a $1 billion price tag and 972,000 square feet of space, including 35 gates, the North Terminal will welcome travelers to a modern facility befitting one of the country’s fastest-growing airports — a major departure from Armstrong’s existing terminal, portions of which date back to the 1950s.
Kevin Dolliole joined the effort in mid-2017 equipped with expertise developed over the course of a career in the aviation industry. This experience included overseeing airports in St. Louis and San Antonio and serving as a consultant to airports across the country.
With the North Terminal, Dolliole has confronted challenges ranging from a sinking sewer line to traffic flow issues but has kept the project’s many constituencies focused. In 2018, the airport was able to secure $35 million in additional project funding, including a $20 million grant from the FAA. These funds allowed them to address challenges (including the sewer line) and make functional improvements, such as expanding the international concourse.
Dolliole has also focused on keeping the cost of operations low for airlines, an important factor in increasing the airport’s ability to serve a growing market. In 2018, the airport offered 53 nonstop flights, up from 39 just a few years back, and Dolliole is hoping for more.
Residents and visitors alike are counting the days until they can enjoy the new facility’s benefits, which include improved pickup and drop-off flow to reduce curbside congestion, increased parking capacity, and an array of retail and concessions, both local and national, that will be accessible to all travelers beyond one central security checkpoint.
“The first impression you get of a community is the airport facility you fly into,” he said. “We will be delivering an image of a proactive, modern-thinking community and region to folks visiting.”
Dolliole said he especially looks forward to sharing the new facility with locals.
“It’s great for visitors,” he said, “but I’m more excited for our local citizens to have something like this that they can utilize in a more convenient fashion and that will continue to grow air service here.”
