Terminal renovations boost customer service, accommodate airline mergers and allow passengers to avoid rescreening
Boston, 2013-03-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Massachusetts Port Authority Board today (March 21) approved an additional $54 million to fully-fund renovations and security improvements of Terminal B. Last September, the Board authorized an initial $70 million to partially fund the project that includes designing and building a series of secure concourses to consolidate the terminal, building a new baggage claim carousel, 24 new ticket counter positions, a renovated security checkpoint with additional lanes, 8 new departure lounges, and new concession space.
When completed, the project will provide a new home for United Airlines in Terminal B, allow JetBlue to continue to grow in Terminal C and provide enhanced customer service with post-security connections between the two sides of Terminal B. Currently, United is operating out of Terminal A and Terminal C, as a result of the merger between Continental and United. The project will also create a consolidated security checkpoint that will minimize wait times, and allow for future TSA Pre-Check passenger processing and new checked baggage inspection systems that will meet the latest TSA standards and protocols.
“As the number of airline mergers has accelerated in recent years, airports have had to accommodate these new alliances to allow passengers to more easily and conveniently connect between flights,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “When this phase of the work is done in 2014, United Airlines will have new gates in Terminal B and passengers will be able to go from the US Airways side of Terminal B to the United and American side without having to go through security twice.”
Part of the project will connect gates 37 and 38, currently used by Virgin America, with the rest of the terminal so passengers will have access to the food court and other concessions in Terminal B. The two lane checkpoint for Gates 37 and 38 will be eliminated.
The project, estimated to generate more than 60 construction and design jobs, will be designed to meet Massport’s Sustainable Design Standards which include waste reduction and recycling, LED lighting and improved roofing and skins for energy efficiencies, use of regional materials and “Certified” wood. Massport will recover its investment in the project over time through terminal rents and charges.
Boston Logan, 15 minutes from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 72 domestic and 31 international destinations and in 2012 handled 29 million passengers. Boston Logan is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, public transportation access, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility. The airport generates $7 billion in total economic impact each year.
You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bostonlogan or www.facebook.com/cruiseportboston and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bostonlogan or www.twitter.com/cruiseboston.
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.