$110 million renovation project considered for Spokane Airport

Kyle Simchuk by Kyle Simchuk

Big changes could be coming to the Spokane International Airport. A $110 million renovation project is being considered to better serve the millions of passengers that pass through the facility each year.

In 2016, the airport hosted 3.6 million passengers. This year, traffic is already up 7.8 percent.

“We anticipate strong and continued growth,” said airport CEO Larry Krauter. “Now is the time for us to begin moving forward to make sure we can accommodate it.”

The $110 million renovation would upgrade airport facilities to better suit current travel demand. The plan calls for expanding security checkpoints in both A/B and C terminals to speed up screening. Executives also want to add food and shopping options for flyers checking in.

“We’ve recognized and heard loud and clear from the customers that they would like to see a better mix of gifts and news, food, and beverage opportunities pre-screening,” said Krauter.

The project would also extend Concourse C and install a canopy along pick-up and drop-off zones.

“We are, through this program, working very hard to make sure all that the improvements are targeted to make their trip through the airport more pleasant,” said Krauter.

The most expensive part of the renovation lies in baggage claim. Nearly half of the project’s proposed budget would consolidate all baggage claim to once central location.

“The idea behind that is we will actually be able to have a more efficient delivery to the customer,” said Krauter.

The $4.50 facility fee collected on each plane ticket would fund most of the project if approved by the FAA. Construction could begin as soon as 2019.

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