KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Airport renovations complete two concourses

Airport renovations complete two concourses

by Ted Land
Monday, November 2, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- One decade and $195 million later, the renovations of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport are finally complete: concourses A and B are now open to the public.

On Monday the first flight pulled up to the new concourse.

"That's the largest part of the project we've just completed. It was completely demolished on this level," said airport manager John Parrott.

It was the last phase in the more than 10-year airport renovation project, which opened to the public a day early and about $12 million under budget.

"This is either the first or the last or both impressions for many of the travelers who come to visit us," Parrott said.

Passengers are greeted by wide marble concourses, plenty of natural light and four new public art displays.

"I think it's a lovely addition and I like the iridescent tiles in with the trees. (It) gives you a little northern lights feel," said traveler Lisa Coyle.

One of the highlights is a ceiling mosaic depicting a birch forest.

"It's nice to walk around the airport when you're killing time between planes and, you know, be able to look at beautiful things," Coyle said.

However, the renovation is more than just aesthetics. For airlines that have had to juggle terminals over the past 10 years, it's a permanent home.

Northern Air Cargo will operate flights to the North Slope out of one gate only.

"What was happening all the time before is as the passengers were coming in they never knew what gate they were supposed to go to. Sometimes we'd be on the end of C, sometimes we'd be on the end of A," said Bob Rieth, with the company.

The passenger and baggage screening has been centralized into one six-lane checkpoint.

The airport says this will provide better security and speed things up.

Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com