Jan 22 2025
Passenger numbers have set another record at the Springfield airport.
In 2024 a record 1.4 million total passengers used the airport. That's up 10.4% from the year before and up 68% from ten years ago.
Growth is expected to continue in the new year and with it comes growing pains. Four improvement projects begin at the airline terminal this year. All of them will impact airport customers.
"These projects will be inconvenient for customers," says Brian Weiler, airport director. "We're asking everyone to bear with us. I encourage everyone flying from Springfield to monitor project updates on the airport website and social media, and to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight's departure time."
Airline Terminal Floor
Replacement of terminal carpet should begin early spring. Carpet in the building is 16 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. The project includes all public areas of the terminal and is expected to cause some customer inconvenience. Total cost of the project is expected to be between $4 million and $5 million.
Jet Bridges
A June start date is expected for replacement of five of the airline terminal's ten jet bridges (the covered passageways that connect the terminal to airplanes). The bridges being replaced are 30+ years old and need frequent repair. They'll be replaced one at a time to minimize flight delays. The project should be complete by the end of 2025. Total cost of the project is approximately $7.6 million.
Airline Terminal Apron Expansion
The apron, also known as a ramp, or tarmac, is the paved area at the terminal where airliners park, load passengers, and take on fuel.
Making the apron bigger will lessen apron congestion as airliners arrive and depart the terminal. It will also help the airport prepare for future expansion of the terminal building.
Customers occasionally experience flight delays caused by congestion on the current apron. This occurs more often as the number of airliners continues to grow. A bigger apron will give them more room to maneuver.
Cost of the project is approximately $8.8 million, with $6.4 million of that being paid with a federal grant obtained by retired U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.
Expansion of Terminal Parking Lot
Short-term parking will expand by approximately 300 parking spaces effectively doubling lot size. Cost of expansion will be between $3 million and $4 million. Lot construction will likely begin early summer and be done by the end of the year.
Flyers are encouraged to visit the airport's website for project updates: www.flyspringfield.com.
Airport social media accounts will also have updates: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram and X, all using the handle "flysgf."
In 2024 a record 1.4 million total passengers used the airport. That's up 10.4% from the year before and up 68% from ten years ago.
Growth is expected to continue in the new year and with it comes growing pains. Four improvement projects begin at the airline terminal this year. All of them will impact airport customers.
"These projects will be inconvenient for customers," says Brian Weiler, airport director. "We're asking everyone to bear with us. I encourage everyone flying from Springfield to monitor project updates on the airport website and social media, and to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight's departure time."
Airline Terminal Floor
Replacement of terminal carpet should begin early spring. Carpet in the building is 16 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. The project includes all public areas of the terminal and is expected to cause some customer inconvenience. Total cost of the project is expected to be between $4 million and $5 million.
Jet Bridges
A June start date is expected for replacement of five of the airline terminal's ten jet bridges (the covered passageways that connect the terminal to airplanes). The bridges being replaced are 30+ years old and need frequent repair. They'll be replaced one at a time to minimize flight delays. The project should be complete by the end of 2025. Total cost of the project is approximately $7.6 million.
Airline Terminal Apron Expansion
The apron, also known as a ramp, or tarmac, is the paved area at the terminal where airliners park, load passengers, and take on fuel.
Making the apron bigger will lessen apron congestion as airliners arrive and depart the terminal. It will also help the airport prepare for future expansion of the terminal building.
Customers occasionally experience flight delays caused by congestion on the current apron. This occurs more often as the number of airliners continues to grow. A bigger apron will give them more room to maneuver.
Cost of the project is approximately $8.8 million, with $6.4 million of that being paid with a federal grant obtained by retired U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.
Expansion of Terminal Parking Lot
Short-term parking will expand by approximately 300 parking spaces effectively doubling lot size. Cost of expansion will be between $3 million and $4 million. Lot construction will likely begin early summer and be done by the end of the year.
Flyers are encouraged to visit the airport's website for project updates: www.flyspringfield.com.
Airport social media accounts will also have updates: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram and X, all using the handle "flysgf."