"Task force recommends new Wichita airport terminal"

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Task force recommends new airport terminal
By Ken Vandruff
The Wichita (KS) Business Journal


Wichita's airport advisory board unanimously agreed with a task force
report recommending the construction of a new terminal building at
Mid-Continent Airport. 
  
The choice was build a new terminal for approximately $132 million or
spend approximately $130 million to renovate the 50-year-old terminal
and bring it up to today's building codes. 

"Given that the costs are pretty comparable and the timing -- it would
take less time and would be less disruptive to ongoing airport
operations," says Tim Austin, chairman of the airport advisory board. 

Engineers with HNTB in Kansas City worked with local business leaders on
the recommendation. 

Preliminary ideas for a new terminal envision a two-level facility that
would shorten the walk from ticket counter to gate, improve access to
baggage claim areas, increase the space needed for security checkpoints
and increase the meet and greet area. 

The city council must still approve the proposal. 

The airport authority would issue bonds and pay for the project using a
combination of Federal Aviation Administration grants plus passenger
facility charges that are included in the price of airline tickets. 

If approved, Austin says a new terminal could be open by the middle of
2008.


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