San Antonio airport expansion

Seems like a curious time to be expanding an airport, but if they need it, that's good for them.

Work is beginning on a $134 million passenger terminal at the San Antonio International Airport.

The eight-gate Terminal B will replace the aging Terminal 2 at the airport and make way for another terminal to house five to 11 more passenger gates.

During the groundbreaking on the project on Tuesday, city officials said that the additional gates, which would bring the airport's total to 35, will be needed eventually.

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In 2007, the San Antonio airport topped 8 million passengers and through March of this year had 4.8 percent more traffic than a year ago.

Terminal B is set to open in two years. Also, work is wrapping up this month on a 2,800-space parking garage.

For comparison purposes, IAH in Houston has 124 gates, and served 43 million passengers last year. And that doesn't count Hobby Airport.

I haven't flown into or out of San Antonio in 20 years, but it was actually a pretty pleasant experience, since it's so easy to navigate; it's also close to downtown - maybe a 10 minute drive from the Trinity campus - so it's very well-suited for those types who like to arrive as late as possible before boarding. I hope that aspect of it won't change too much.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 19, 2008 to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles