BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The North Central West Virginia Airport may soon see a $1.3 million terminal expansion.
Airport Director Rick Rock said the goal is to start construction at the beginning of summer 2018.
“It may be a little aggressive goal, but we want to make sure we do it right first and foremost, make sure that we have a good project, a good scope and contractors,” he said.
The last expansion that the airport’s terminal underwent increased passenger capacity from 24 to 177, but Rock said the terminal still gets cramped during busy travel times.
“With the multiple flights with 118 passenger jet in a week, we’ve outgrown the space we have. What we want to see is it built out on the opposite end of our terminal similar to the one we already have done,” Rock said.
“It will create additional area for passenger comfort,” he added. “In the case that there are delays or anything, we can easily accommodate two planes.”
The Benedum Airport Authority gave Rock the go-ahead to proceed during its Wednesday meeting. The project is still awaiting FAA approval.
“It’s something that will work very well as we move forward until we have a longer-term solution,” Rock said. “We’d really like to see, at some point, a new, modern terminal, but right now that’s probably a few years away, so we need to make sure we make the most out of the current space that we have.”
With SkyWest added to the airport’s offered airlines, Rock said that extra space will be even more needed.
“I certainly see added growth that’s going to just increase our needs for additional space, so the time was now to go ahead and make the move,” he said. “We have the time and funds available.”
The $1.3 million project will be funded by AIP, or airport improvement program funding, which is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Just over a month remains until SkyWest joins the North Central West Virginia Airport, and Rick Rock says all is running smoothly flights to begin Nov. 1.
“That is, I think, a game changer for our state,” he said. “It’ll really go a long way toward improving the economic climate for business travelers who are bringing people back into West Virginia and just to make West Virginia to have all of the amenities other states and urban areas have.
“We have great support from the community, and this is just another positive that comes out of supporting your local airport.”
Tickets are on sale now, and Rock says the airport is already gearing up for a busy holiday season.