Taking a cue from ongoing developments across Duval County, the Jacksonville Airport Authority continues to make progress on its own “airside expansion project.”
Current work is budgeted at $25.5 million, and airport officials said when it is complete security checkpoints will be centralized before passengers enter any of the airport’s three concourses.
Seven checkpoints will be operational by October 2004.
“We believe this is an excellent step toward making our operations run more smoothly,” said JAA director of operations and planning Bob Molle. “We’re looking forward to seeing them up and running.”
Work to expand the concession and courtyard areas are also moving forward.
“Again, it’s all about increasing efficiency,” said Molle. “These new areas are going to provide more passenger circulation space and much better concession space.”
Molle said these projects serve as the first in a two-phase, complete airport concourse overall that carries a $245 million price tag.
By 2008, airport concourses will be lengthened and widened, allowing for more and larger plane traffic through Jacksonville.
Direct international flights may also be an option.
“It’s amazing to think about how this is all going to look in a few years,” said Molle. “It requires a lot of hard work and careful planning, but we’re confident passengers though JIA will recognize its value.
“We’re making some much needed progress.”