Building for the future

Here’s a quick look at projects anticipated for the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in the next 25 years. Traffic will dictate when each project is started. ■ Phase I: The parking deck under construction, expected to open next year; new gates and additional passenger space on Concourse B, expected to begin next year; a “connector building” with a skyway between the parking deck and the terminal with elevators and escalators and possibly more administrative space; and, a parking deck for rental car companies.

■ Phase II: A taxiway extension and apron improvements for the east side of Concourse B; reconfiguring Transportation Safety Administration, airport law enforcement offices and administration offices; security checkpoint reconfiguration; adding a second floor greeting lounge; and, expanding the west commercial apron.

■ Phase III: Further Concourse B expansion, including more gates, seating, circulation space, restrooms and concessions; expanding the baggage screening and baggage conveyance system; expanding the terminal building west to provide more space for baggage claim; adding another baggage conveyor and building an access tunnel for airlines to move baggage and more tenant office space.

■ Phase IV: Building a third parking deck; the third phase of Concourse B expansion, including five gates and relocation of interim gates, seating, restrooms and concessions; eastward expansion of the terminal to allow a separate baggage screening room, baggage handling system, offices and support areas; and, terminal expansion west to accommodate a fourth baggage claim device.