Our aging Honolulu airport is set to get a major multi-million dollar makeover.
Upgrades that will take several years to complete and change the way planes move in and out.
The modernization project will take three key areas of the airport and transform them to make traveling easier, safer and more user friendly.
Buckle up, and prepare for a major overhaul at Honolulu International Airport.
A $750-million project will begin rolling out this year to upgrade the aging facility. Starting with where you rent your car.
"Similar to what you’ve seen in mainland airports, it will be one stop shopping for your car rental agencies, closer and easier for the public," said Caroline Sluyter with the State Dept. Of Transportation.
To do that the state will create an interim rental car area in the overseas garage.Then a permanent facility will be built to have all companies under one roof. Work on this phase of the project will be the first change travelers see.
"Oh yeah , people will be able to find cars a lot easier and a lot more convenient," said Jeremy Reich, visitor from Montana.
Another change will be here at the commuter terminal, this building will be demolished and in it’s place a new mauka concourse, that will look like this adding a food court and 11 more gates.
"We are upgrading the facility, also safety features, FAA requirements, new taxi ways, so a lot will be going on," sated Sluyter.
Travelers say this neglected area of the airport needs it.
"Definitely think it will be beneficial for the travelers and even the locals to have these improvements, it looks old right now," said Chanel Flores, Aiea resident.
The state is shooting for a start date of Summer 2015, but before that can happen the commuter terminal will be relocated to the diamond head side of the airport. Opening up the area to more wide body planes.
"As you’ve seen there are different routes being flying her routes to korea, mainland, east coast, so with added capacity we really will be needing this facility," Sluyter said.
The entire project is projected to take five years to complete and is being paid for with fees generated from the airport.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
