Saturday, May 31, 2014

Albert J. Ellis Airport (KOAJ) Moves Forward with Reconstruction Project

RICHLANDS, N.C. -- Albert J. Ellis Airport officials are moving forward with new phases of their redevelopment project.

Dennis Rogers, a Marine who travels a lot for work, was headed to London on Friday. He said he's been through the airport about eight or 10 times, and making his flight isn't always easy.

"Especially holiday times it's cramped in here. There's only one line you go through to get to the gate so that line is pretty much running out through the door," Rogers said.

The reason for that is because the airport was built in 1971 and it's only meant to accommodate 107,000 boardings a year. However, right now, they're boarding 175,000 times a year.

"So we're way over capacity now," said Chris White, the airport director.

But with the new 67,000 square foot terminal currently under construction, the cramped quarters are about to disappear.

The new terminal will have three jet bridges and four gates. That's double what the airport currently accommodates.

"The traffic volume, the community has grown and it's time to upgrade the facilities to help with economic development efforts, tourism, things like that," White said.

The terminal is costing $23 million, but other costs like maintenance facilities, and areas for rentals cars and private plans bring the total to about $33 million.

"It's funded about 80 percent by the federal government then the balance, most of it comes from local user fees," said White. "No local tax money goes into this project or any other project at the airport."

A lot of the work is also being done by people who live and work in Onslow County, adding to the economic impact the airport is making locally.

"This airport contributes $192 million a year annually to the local economy," White said. "It supports 340 jobs and has a payroll of over $12 million."

It's money passengers like Rogers don't mind being spent, especially if it means a more efficient trip to the airport.

"I'm looking forward to the renovations," Rogers said.

The new terminal should be open by late summer or early fall of 2015.

Story and video: http://charlotte.twcnews.com

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