"Buffalo Int'l Airport opens new 7-gate concourse"

Saturday, September 2, 2000

Airport opens new 7-gate concourse
By KEVIN COLLISON
Buffalo (NY) News


The next era of air travel at the Buffalo airport began quietly Friday with
the opening of a seven-gate concourse, 2,700 more parking spots and several
amenities - more restrooms and ticket counter space - designed to handle a
surge in passengers.

"You have made such improvements at this airport over the years compared to
the way it used to be," said Tom Aldridge, an Atlanta business executive
awaiting his flight in the new concourse.

"Anytime you see an airport expand, it means the economy is moving and it's
great to see Buffalo coming back."

The changes at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which opened the new
terminal less than three years ago, are intended to accommodate an expected
5 million passengers next year, up from fewer than 3 million in 1995.

Not only has the airport grown substantially in size, thanks to the
demolition of the old Westinghouse plant, but significant changes within the
terminal building are occurring to handle the additional passenger traffic.

The arrival of several low-fare airlines prompted the latest construction.
The most recent arrival is Southwest Airlines, which starts service here
Oct. 8, occupying two gates in the new concourse.

"It's a different world out there than it was three years ago," said
Lawrence M. Meckler, executive director of the Niagara Frontier
Transportation Authority.

"We're trying to keep up with what we've done in air service by putting
additional customer services and amenities in place."

The opening of the new facilities Friday occurred without fanfare because
significant finishing touches remain, particularly in the new gate area,
Meckler said. The smell of fresh paint and sawdust was in the air, and
passengers shared the concourse with construction workers.

A formal dedication is expected in December.

The new facilities include:

 A 110,000-square-foot extension of the east concourse that will increase
the number of gates at the airport from 17 to 24. Delta has moved into its
two gates, and Continental will relocate to its two gates Sunday. Work
continues on the remaining three gates.

The concourse addition also includes two restrooms, two stretches of moving
sidewalks and a new observation area overlooking the runway. Two new
concession outlets - a Jake's Bistro and News, and a permanent Mattie's hot
dogs - are in the final stages of construction.

 Additional parking that expands the capacity at the airport from 2,300 to
more than 5,000 spaces. A 1,720-space long-term lot opened Friday and a
973-space long-term lot will open Wednesday. The new lots are served by a
six-lane toll booth. The current toll booth serving the short-term garage
and existing long-term lot also was expanded from five to nine lanes.

 An increase in ticket counters from 51 to 60 and in security checkpoints
from four to five lanes. Two additional restrooms are to be opened by
December in a remodeled section of the original concourse. A third escalator
also may be added.

 Outside the terminal, a new two-lane road was completed on the lower
arrival level for buses and taxicabs. By October, the airport expects to
double the number of covered, curbside check-in stations on the upper
departure level from 12 to 24.

"We did about $80 million worth of construction in 11 months," said Walter
D. Zmuda, managing engineer for the NFTA. "It's a very large accomplishment
to complete that type of work. The airlines had serious doubts about anybody
being able to do that and were very impressed."

Along with the physical improvements to the parking lots, the NFTA has
implemented pricing changes aimed at keeping spaces open in the garage. The
maximum daily charge has been increased from $11 to $18 to discourage
travelers from leaving their vehicles all day.

On the front end, people using the garage for less than 30 minutes will be
able to park free.

Robert Rakoczy, airport marketing director, said the move is being made to
encourage people making a quick trip to use the garage and prevent
congestion on the access lanes.

The 1,400-space surface lot in front of the terminal has been given a new
title, preferred long-term parking, and its daily price has been increased
from $7.25 to $9. The new long-term lots will continue to cost $7.25 per
day.

Rakoczy said the NFTA is increasing the number of shuttle buses circulating
through the long-term lots from six to 10, and also will post
up-to-the-minute parking information on the airport's Web site as well as
electronic signs on the Thruway and Kensington Expressway.

Parking revenues at the airport are expected to reach $8.5 million this
year, about half the non-airline income at the facility.

The new concourse extension was designed to blend seamlessly with the
award-winning existing airport. Although it's slightly wider, the same
materials were used, along with plenty of glass to allow in natural light.

"It's a nice airport," said first-time visitor Mike Boucher, in from New
Jersey on business. "After flying out of Newark, it's very pleasant."

Aldridge also gave the aesthetics a thumbs up.

"The design, the openness and sunlight, somebody thought this through well,"
he said. "It's comfortable and functional."

Attached Photo: Airline passengers head through the new East Concourse at
Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Friday.

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